Back injuries are perhaps the most common form of workplace injuries. You may sustain them due to heavy lifting or wrong posture, so the nature of your job hardly matters.
Even people working in relatively safe roles are as vulnerable as those lifting heavy objects and moving them around at work. A poor posture that constantly stresses your spine can aggravate the pain.
The worst thing about a back injury is that it can worsen over time and affect your quality of life if you fail to get help. Fortunately, you can prevent damage and address the condition with timely intervention and treatment. Here are a few tips for dealing with a work-related back injury.
Understand your risks
Most workplace injuries occur because people fail to give attention to the potential reasons and risk factors. You must check your risk factors for a back injury to stay a step ahead of long-term damage.
Age, body weight, and fitness levels are the primary determinants of such injuries. For example, older workers, overweight people, and unfit persons are prone to back pain. Your occupation also makes a difference because workers doing tasks involving heavy lifting and repetitive actions are more likely to experience pain in the back, neck, and spine.
Smoking, diseases, inactivity, and poor posture are other possible risk factors you must be aware of..
Know your rights
Workers have the right to claim compensation for workplace injuries that cause pain and affect their capacity to work. You can do the same for back injuries because they are painful and distressing.
Severe ones may even require treatment with surgery, therapy, and rehab. You may have to take time off, which translates into lost ways. Some workers may even need to change jobs and move to a less stressful and demanding one. Check out RequestLegalHelp, they know your rights put you in a good place, as you must definitely pursue them.
A personal injury attorney can help you seek adequate compensation from your employer to cover your medical expenses, wage losses, and pain and suffering.
Take a preventive approach
A preventive approach can help you keep back injury at bay in the first place and even prevent recurrence after treatment and recovery. Fortunately, you can take several steps to address the concern.
Consider modifying your daily tasks by avoiding lifting and bending, using helpful equipment, correcting your posture, and taking breaks amid repetitive and straining activities. You can also practice lifting properly without exerting pressure on your lower back.
Bending your knees and keeping your back straight is the correct way to lift heavy objects. You can ask your employer to provide ergonomic furniture and lifting aids to lower the risk of injury during daily tasks.
Severe back pain can affect your health and quality of life. Unfortunately, your job may increase your risks of back injuries that cause constant pain and even mobility issues.
But you can handle the problem effectively by being aware and taking steps to prevent injuries. You can follow this simple checklist to cover both fronts.
