Following up on our previous blog post on Preventing Workplace Injuries, we also received some great tips from Birmingham clinician Morgan Jackson, PT, DPT on managing workplace injuries.
- Know Your Body: It’s important to monitor any aches and pains that begin to appear. The earlier you catch the injury the better – if injuries last more than 2-3 weeks, it’s time to see someone. Recovery can be much quicker, and you can avoid more serious issues that could require surgery and/or physical therapy.
- Know Your Symptoms: Dull aches that go away may be normal, but a persistent burning sensation or sharp pain may indicate that it’s time to see someone.
- Know Your Situation: If your activity level has changed, pains may be expected, but if your activity level hasn’t changed and you aren’t doing a new job with different movements – it may be time to see a therapist.
Most small strains or overuse injuries go away after two weeks, if the proper adjustments and rest are performed. It’s important to see a doctor if the pain persists to avoid a more serious injury, for example, carpal tunnel syndrome, that could require surgery and/or physical therapy.
This is also an important time to talk to your employer’s HR team (or the person in charge of injury prevention, such as a safety manager) about your pain. They can review the setup of your work area, chair and look at your posture to help you get into a more comfortable position.
Be sure to ask questions about the changes they suggest so you have a full understanding of the reasons for the changes. And finally, if you don’t already have it, now would be a good time ask for any materials they have on injury prevention.
