If you had a back injury related to your work environment, you may be entitled to workers compensation. Dr. Nicholas Stamoulos at East Arlington Chiropractic explains what workers compensation is and how you can benefit from chiropractic treatment.
Back injuries are the second most common injuries in the workplace (formally called an occupational injury). Lifting heavy things, repetitive reaching bending twisting or typing, poor sitting posture or prolonged sitting while exposed to vibration (driving a truck or a snow plow) all make your back vulnerable to injury. Your spine is normally protected by jelly filled discs (imagine a jelly doughnut) in between the vertebrae. All of the above sudden or repetitive/cumulative stressors weaken the outside fibers of the spinal discs making them prone to rupture. When these discs rupture or slip, they can cause damage to your spinal nerve, called sciatic nerve.
Although back injuries are very common other areas are also frequently affected by repetitive strain. With pervasive use of the computer in our culture many are starting to develop tendinitis in their elbows (tennis elbow) and wrists or even carpal tunnel (numbness and burning and weakness in the thumb side of the palm). Contractors, carpenters, plumbers, electricians or mechanics can also develop the same problem from repetitive squeezing and twisting of wrenches or screwdrivers. Electricians or mechanics can develop rotator cuff tear or tendinitis from prolonged work overhead. Prolonged looking down to an improperly set up computer monitor or keyboard can develop neck strain and headaches.
If the injury happens at work or while working, you can qualify for workers compensation. the injury has to be reported quickly to a supervisor or manager. The initial report must be filled out on a DWC-1 form by your supervisor, where you will be required to fill out the details of your injury. You may get a list of physicians to choose from by your company but you have the right to go to a physician of your choice. If your physician determines your MMI (maximum medical improvement), he or she will then determine if you are ready to go back to work.
If you suffered a back injury, next strain or headaches, tendinitis, rotator cuff tear, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow or other muscle / tendon injury in the workplace please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.painlessbody.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Nicholas Stamoulos at East Arlington Chiropractic in Arlington, MA, call (781) 641-4482.Although back injuries are very common other areas are also frequently affected by repetitive strain. With pervasive use of the computer in our culture many are starting to develop tendinitis in their elbows (tennis elbow) and wrists or even carpal tunnel (numbness and burning and weakness in the thumb side of the palm). Contractors, carpenters, plumbers, electricians or mechanics can also develop the same problem from repetitive squeezing and twisting of wrenches or screwdrivers. Electricians or mechanics can develop rotator cuff tear or tendinitis from prolonged work overhead. Prolonged looking down to an improperly set up computer monitor or keyboard can develop neck strain and headaches.
If the injury happens at work or while working, you can qualify for workers compensation. the injury has to be reported quickly to a supervisor or manager. The initial report must be filled out on a DWC-1 form by your supervisor, where you will be required to fill out the details of your injury. You may get a list of physicians to choose from by your company but you have the right to go to a physician of your choice. If your physician determines your MMI (maximum medical improvement), he or she will then determine if you are ready to go back to work.
