Work injury, after an accident or repeated strain

A work injury can follow one moment, like a fall or a bad lift, or build up over weeks of the same movement. After a serious injury, or with any of the emergency signs below, get medical care before a routine chiropractic visit.

When does a work injury need urgent care?

Severe pain, deformity or an injured limb you can't use normally are the kinds of injury symptoms NIAMS says need medical attention. With any of them, or after a serious accident, get a medical assessment promptly.

These back or leg symptoms need emergency care: new difficulty passing urine, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the genitals or buttocks, or severe or worsening weakness in both legs. The NHS lists them as cauda equina warning signs. Please don't wait to see us first.

Which work tasks strain muscles and joints?

Forceful tasks, repeated movements, vibration and awkward positions can contribute to work-related musculoskeletal problems; NIOSH calls them ergonomic risk factors. They help explain a symptom pattern, though linking a symptom to a particular job takes more than a checklist.

The task details help too: the load, position, repetition, equipment and hours involved, and if symptoms change during a shift, after work or on your days off.

What should you write down after a work injury?

A short timeline of the event or the symptom pattern helps at a first visit, along with:

• The affected area and any pain traveling into an arm or leg.
• Numbness, tingling, a weaker grip or other changes in strength.
• Tasks that are now difficult or unsafe to do.
• Earlier assessments, treatment and any instructions you were given.
• Workplace changes you've already tried.

Your workplace has its own injury-reporting process to follow, and your employer or claims contact can explain it, along with any workers' compensation or coverage question. Appointment times, payment and work documentation are things to confirm with our Clarksville office.

Where does chiropractic care fit after a work injury?

What you can keep doing for now, any temporary changes at work and who coordinates your follow-up are decisions for whoever evaluates the injury. Occupational health, primary care, physical therapy or another specialist may suit some injuries better, and we'll say so when that's what we find.

For some muscle and joint complaints, hands-on care may be an option once a chiropractor has examined you. It won't remove a hazard at work, and it can't guarantee lasting relief. Equipment and task design may matter too; NIOSH's ergonomics guidance is about fitting the work to the worker.

We'll go over what we found before we recommend anything, and the plan is built for you.

Before any treatment starts, it's fair to ask what benefit is realistic for your injury and your job, what risks apply to you, and what would lead to a change in the plan.

Our back pain, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel and neck pain guides go deeper into each area.

If we are not able to help you with your problem or are unable to reduce your pain levels, we will make sure to give you a recommendation to another experienced provider.

Continue reading

Practice overview · New-patient visit details