| Avoiding Back Injury EAP EAP Hotline Documents |
On the job back injuries are one of the leading causes of work related disabilities. Even moderate back pain can make it difficult to
concentrate on your work. Whether it is a dull annoying ache or a sharp
stabbing pain, your back can make your work miserable. Following are five major risk factors for your back.
Stress- Physical and emotional stress create muscle tension and tightness. In many people these stresses go right to the back.
Repetitive Movements-Repetitious jobs can lead to muscle soreness and injury. Doing the same thing over and over each day
increases your chance of back injury.
Posture- Whether it be sitting, standing or even lying down, our body can only tolerate being in the same position for a limited
period of time.
Heavy Lifting- Applying too much pressure or force to your back may cause injury.
Muscle Weakness- The lower back is especially difficult to keep strong and flexible. It can be easy to let these muscles go, and
then pay for it later with injury.
The more you understand the causes of back injuries, and the better you take care of yourself, the less chance you have of being one
of the more than one million people afflicted with work related back injuries every year. These are some ways to help avoid back
problems:
Maintain Your Overall Fitness- Keeping your whole body flexible and fit will go along way toward preventing back injuries.
Pay attention to Your Posture-Being aware of how you are sitting and standing can help alleviate many back problems.
Lift Properly- Use proper lifting techniques, and use support belts and equipment whenever possible.
Adjust your work space to fit you- This included everything from your desk to your chair, to your computer and phone. The
more your workspace fits you, the less stress that is applied to your body.
Deal with your mental stress- The emotional factor in injuries is often overlooked. If you are under a great deal of stress you
are more prone to injury. It is important to deal with your emotional stress to avoid injury.
Most doctors believe back problems are caused by a combination of factors. While they are not all preventable, the better you take
care of yourself and address the risk factors, the less likely you are to be become a sufferer of chronic back pain.
FAMILY SERVICE INC
2210 W. BROWN PLACE
SIOUX FALLS, SD 57105
(605) 336-1974/(800)589-1974
concentrate on your work. Whether it is a dull annoying ache or a sharp
stabbing pain, your back can make your work miserable. Following are five major risk factors for your back.
Stress- Physical and emotional stress create muscle tension and tightness. In many people these stresses go right to the back.
Repetitive Movements-Repetitious jobs can lead to muscle soreness and injury. Doing the same thing over and over each day
increases your chance of back injury.
Posture- Whether it be sitting, standing or even lying down, our body can only tolerate being in the same position for a limited
period of time.
Heavy Lifting- Applying too much pressure or force to your back may cause injury.
Muscle Weakness- The lower back is especially difficult to keep strong and flexible. It can be easy to let these muscles go, and
then pay for it later with injury.
The more you understand the causes of back injuries, and the better you take care of yourself, the less chance you have of being one
of the more than one million people afflicted with work related back injuries every year. These are some ways to help avoid back
problems:
Maintain Your Overall Fitness- Keeping your whole body flexible and fit will go along way toward preventing back injuries.
Pay attention to Your Posture-Being aware of how you are sitting and standing can help alleviate many back problems.
Lift Properly- Use proper lifting techniques, and use support belts and equipment whenever possible.
Adjust your work space to fit you- This included everything from your desk to your chair, to your computer and phone. The
more your workspace fits you, the less stress that is applied to your body.
Deal with your mental stress- The emotional factor in injuries is often overlooked. If you are under a great deal of stress you
are more prone to injury. It is important to deal with your emotional stress to avoid injury.
Most doctors believe back problems are caused by a combination of factors. While they are not all preventable, the better you take
care of yourself and address the risk factors, the less likely you are to be become a sufferer of chronic back pain.
FAMILY SERVICE INC
2210 W. BROWN PLACE
SIOUX FALLS, SD 57105
(605) 336-1974/(800)589-1974