Workplace injuries are more frequent than often acknowledged, ranging from muscle strains to severe conditions like fractures or repetitive strain injuries. Whether a person is sitting at a desk all day or engaging in physically demanding tasks, the risk of injury is always present. Seeking work injury physiotherapy Spruce Grove after a work-related injury provides several benefits, helping to expedite recovery, restore function, and prevent future complications.
Five Important Reasons For Consulting a physiotherapist After a work injury
1. Pain Management Without Medication
Managing pain after a work injury doesn’t have to involve medication. Work injury physiotherapy offers effective, drug-free methods for pain relief, which target the source of discomfort rather than just masking the symptoms.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is a hands-on technique that may help to manipulate muscles and joints, which helps reduce stiffness, improve circulation, and relieve pain. Techniques like joint mobilization involve moving the joint through its natural range of motion to restore movement and function. In contrast, soft tissue massage targets specific areas of muscle tension to relieve discomfort and promote healing. For example, a physiotherapist may apply pressure to tight muscles in the shoulder to increase blood flow and reduce muscle stiffness after an overuse injury.
2. Speed Up Recovery
Work injury physiotherapy in Spruce Grove is used to speed up recovery after a work injury. The sooner proper care is administered, the faster the body can heal. After an injury, restoring mobility, strength, and flexibility efficiently and safely is crucial. Physiotherapists diagnose musculoskeletal conditions and tailor treatment plans specific to the injury. Expected recovery techniques include:
Rehabilitation Exercises
Rehabilitation exercises are crucial for targeting the injured area to restore muscle strength, flexibility, and movement. For instance, gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises are commonly used to prevent stiffness and improve blood circulation. A specific example would be performing a knee flexion stretch after a lower-body injury. In this exercise:
- Sit on the edge of a chair with your feet on the floor.
- Slowly slide your foot back under the chair, bending the knee as comfortably as possible.
- Hold this position for 10–15 seconds before sliding the foot forward again.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation involves sending tiny electrical impulses to the muscles placed on the skin. These impulses stimulate muscle contractions, which help promote blood flow to the injured area. For instance, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can target weakened muscles after a muscle injury, encouraging contractions and strengthening the muscle without strenuous exercise. This is especially helpful during the early stages of rehabilitation, when active movement may still be limited.
3. Prevent Long-Term Complications
Ignoring a work injury or neglecting proper rehabilitation results in long-term issues like chronic pain, joint stiffness, or reduced mobility. Physiotherapy helps to address the underlying causes of these injuries, preventing the development of long-term complications.
Postural Retraining
Postural Retraining involves guiding patients to correct improper posture, especially in sedentary jobs, to alleviate strain on the spine and muscles. Physiotherapists begin by assessing a patient’s posture to identify any misalignments or muscle imbalances contributing to discomfort. This assessment may include observing the patient’s stance, sitting posture, and movement patterns. Once the issues are identified, physiotherapists provide education on proper alignment, helping the patient understand how to position their body to minimize strain. They may use visual aids, hands-on guidance, or mirrors to correct posture. This education is crucial for retraining the patient’s muscle memory to promote healthier postural habits in daily activities. Adjustments to the workstation or work habits may support long-term posture improvements.
4. Restore Strength and Mobility
Injuries often result in muscle weakness or restricted movement in joints. Physiotherapy is vital to restoring strength and mobility, essential for everyday tasks and work responsibilities. Several techniques used to regain function include:
Strengthening Exercises
Strengthening exercises focus on rebuilding the muscle strength lost due to injury. Resistance band training is a joint exercise which gradually increases the muscle’s workload. For example, in the case of a shoulder injury:
- Secure a resistance band to a stable place.
- Hold the other end and pull it outward, away from the body, while keeping the elbow bent at a 90-degree angle.
- Slowly return to the starting position, repeating the exercise to strengthen the rotator cuff muscles.
Range-of-Motion Stretches
Range-of-motion stretches are designed to restore flexibility and joint movement. For example, in a shoulder injury, a pendulum stretch may be recommended:
- Lean forward, supporting the body with one hand on a table or chair.
- Let the injured arm hang straight down and slowly swing it in small circles, clockwise and then counterclockwise.
- Gradually increase the size of the circles as mobility improves.
5. Personalized Ergonomic Advice
Physiotherapists are experts in workplace ergonomics and can offer tailored advice to prevent future injuries. Poor posture, improper lifting techniques, or repetitive movements cause many work injuries. Physiotherapists can assess the work environment and offer practical solutions to reduce re-injury risk. Some common recommendations include:
Lifting Techniques
Lifting Techniques are crucial for labour-intensive jobs. Physiotherapists provide training on safe lifting practices to minimize strain on the back, shoulders, and knees, helping to prevent injuries.
Safe lifting starts by standing close to the object, with feet shoulder-width apart. Squatting by bending the knees and hip keeping the back straight, is key. The object should be gripped firmly and lifted using the legs, not the back. Holding the object close and avoiding twisting by moving the feet helps further minimize injury risks.
Get Back to Work Stronger and Healthier
Work-related injuries can disrupt everyday life and work responsibilities, but the recovery process becomes smoother and more effective with the proper work injury physiotherapy in Spruce Grove care. For those dealing with a recent workplace injury, seeking physiotherapy can significantly improve the chances of a full recovery and a quicker return to work. For personalized care and a tailored recovery plan, contact Sunrise Physiotherapy in Spruce Grove today. Our experienced team is ready to help you regain strength, manage pain, and prevent future injuries so you can return to work feeling stronger and healthier, along with WCB physiotherapy in Spruce Grove.