Injuries can happen at any time. You can pull a muscle, rupture a hamstring, or suffer moderate to intense back injury. But any injury that’s sustained on the job requires special attention, and that’s known as workers comp care. If you work in a factory, a store, or an office environment, you can run the risk of a back injury anytime. Back pain from standing too long or from sitting in a chair the wrong way is something that can be addressed through worker’s comp care at our office.
Process of Care
Workers comp care begins with quality, chiropractic care. The best care should target the problem right before treatment begins. The best start is a thorough physical, which is something your doctor can do. If your problem happens to be a muscle or spinal injury, your doctor will then refer you to our chiropractic center for treatment.
You’ll first have a consultation with one of our chiropractors. You’ll be asked a series of questions regarding your injury, which include the location, how it happened, and when or where. You’ll then be asked to describe the level of pain you’re experiencing in order to determine the course of treatment.
Federal law mandates that treatment begin with a series of radiography. These involve x-rays that are taken of the troubled areas. Your doctor will discuss them and go over your treatment options as required by workers comp care.
These photos provide the necessary proof needed for workers comp insurance purposes. The chiropractor will receive a reimbursement from your workers comp care for treating the injury. You will then discuss a treatment plan from there.
Your employer or office manager should be able to help you navigate and fill out the paperwork needed to have services covered. They can inform you of your rights under workers comp care and answer any other questions you may have.
Common Injuries Sustained From Work Injury
Getting injured is something most of us wish to avoid everyday. Yet most of us who go to work on a daily basis are prone to injury. Factory jobs where you stand for most of the day are the most likely environments that have the unwanted side effect of musculoskeletal injuries. This is where workers comp care comes in.
Warehouses are another prime example of a situation where these injuries might occur. You can get a spinal injury from lifting a box or a heavy object the wrong way. Most major employers often train teams to lift using their legs rather than their back.
Some of the most common musculoskeletal injuries incurred at work are:
- Slips, trips, and falls: If you’re working in an area with wet, oily, or icy floors, or a poorly lit area with holes or objects lying around, your risk of injury will increase.
- Injuries from repetition, such as carpal tunnel syndrome: Actions such as typing can be a root cause for this issue. Other repetitive actions such as constant turning of the wrist may play a role.
- Muscle strains: These can occur in your upper, middle, or lower back as a direct result of too much pulling when reaching. Heavy loads can be another culprit.
- Equipment related injuries: Falling objects or accidents can result in moderate to severe injury and pain.
- Crashes and collisions: If you drive a forklift or operate a motor vehicle, you run the risk of a fatal crash. This can happen when drivers are overworked, exhausted, or intoxicated.
- Injuries sustained from sitting for hours at a time: Sitting for hours at a time is a potential risk factor for back pain or injury. If you can, it is recommended that you stand up and stretch in order to lower your risk for injury. You should also be aware of when you’re slouching or slumping over and try to sit up straight at all times.
The most common workplace injuries typically involve your back and spine. Overexertion, straining, and lifting heavy objects can result in injuries to the back and spine. Other contributing factors include unsteady or collapsing work structures, excessive clutter that leads to tripping, or pushing or pulling too much weight at once. Even repetitive work that’s done without a break can result in injuries that need workers comp care.
Services a Chiropractor Can Offer
Thankfully, there are a variety of services a chiropractor can offer. Each are provided through workers comp care and can be covered by your employer’s insurance. Your chiropractor can do the following:
Chiropractic Adjustments
Workers care comp can cover for chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractic adjustments typically involve the use of hands or a small instrument in order to target a distressed or injured spinal joint. It works a lot like a classic massage in that it moves the spine right into place.
Massage Therapy
A chiropractor can do some of the work of a professional massage therapist. They can use traditional massage techniques to knead and loosen sore muscles. This technique has other benefits, including:
- Decreased stress and increased relaxation
- Reduction of muscle pain and soreness
- Improved circulation and general awareness
- Lower blood pressure and lower heart rate
- Immune system boost
All of these benefits can improve the quality of your life at work and at home. With improved overall health, it’s much easier to get more done at work. Improved moods can increase your energy and boost your concentration. Most importantly, they can treat your injured spine and have you back to work in almost no time. That’s the power of workers comp care.
Decompression Therapy
If your back pain worsens or persists, it can be a real pain. Imagine not being able to move without wincing or almost wanting to scream. Back pain can feel almost eternal for those reasons. It appears as though there’s no end in sight. But there is relief, and that relief is called decompression therapy, which is a part of workers comp care.
Decompression therapy comes in two forms: nonsurgical and surgical. Both can move your spine and alleviate long-term back pain.
Your chiropractor may use a nonsurgical approach to corrective back treatment as a first resort. This technique involves the use of movement by hand in an effort to move the spine. This is done by putting negative pressure right on the troubled area. You can opt for this treatment in the case of a herniated disc or simple back and neck pain through your workers comp care plan.
You don’t need to worry about wearing a hospital gown during the procedure. If anything, you can wear your regular clothes. All you’ll need is a harness, which your chiropractor can help you put around your pelvis and trunk areas. The treatment typically requires you to lie face down as your back muscles are massaged and needed. Because the procedure is noninvasive, no hospital gown is required.
If these treatments don’t work, you can opt for a surgical approach. This can remove any bone on the spinal canal to remove bones and tissue while increasing the size of your spine. The chiropractor may even look for excessive bone spurs and remove them as needed. You may be required to wear a hospital gown during these procedures.
In either case, workers comp care should cover for both procedures as needed. The only thing you need to do is consult with your doctor prior to making your choice.
Therapeutic Exercise
When you’re suffering extreme spinal pain, the first thing that hits your mind is to lay around with an ice or a heat pack. But there’s evidence that proves that laying around may worsen your symptoms. Movement may feel somewhat painful but will have longer lasting benefits for your recovery. There are a few simple therapeutic exercises that help.
These exercises involve partial crunches, wall crunches, and light back extensions. Your doctor should be able to provide you a diagram of each and explain them to you. You can even try light walking or simply sitting up straight. All of these exercises can be done at home at your leisure. You can also find more information about them here.
Find Out More
Our company is fully dedicated to having you up and functioning once again. Back and joint pain that’s the cause of workplace injury should be treated under workers comp care. Call or visit us online to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chiropractor?
A chiropractor is someone who specializes in back, muscle and joint pain.
Can you receive chiropractic care if you’re pregnant?
Yes. However, since it does involve a bit of movement, it’s best to check with your OBGYN doctor before treatment.
Is chiropractic care effective and safe?
Yes. Chiropractic care is known to successfully treat and eliminate back pain. Plus, it is generally safe and noninvasive. There are no medications prescribed during treatment.
Why does my spine make a popping sound during treatment?
That popping noise is generally harmless and is the result of lubricants and gas going through.
Do I need a referral?
It depends on your insurance company. Some require them and others don’t. It’s best to call your provider for more information.
Can I use chiropractic care to treat carpal tunnel syndrome?
Yes. You can also use it to treat tingling and cramping, along with several other common conditions.
Is chiropractic care the same as massage therapy?
A common misconception is that chiropractic care is the same as massage therapy. Both work with muscles, but a chiropractor works with your spine.
