Concussions in the Workplace
Approximately 1 in 4 mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) in adults occur at work and are associated with substantial productivity loss, economic burden, persistent symptoms, and occupational disability1. Concussions in the workplace are most commonly caused by falls, getting struck in the head by falling objects, or motor vehicle accidents2. Most adults recover from an mTBI or concussion within 7-10 days; however, individuals who continue to have persistent symptoms beyond this timeframe are more at risk for further co-morbidities, including aerobic deconditioning, chronic pain, anxiety disorder, depression, as well as poor work performance3.
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How Much Do You Know About Back Pain?
Many people throughout their lives have encountered back pain. In fact, as many as two-thirds of adults will be affected by back pain at some point in their lives. Anyone that has had to deal with back pain knows how difficult it can be. However, back pain comes with difficulty in determining what treatment options are best, what will happen if I can’t work, and what can I do to make sure this back pain doesn’t happen again.
Q&A with a Men’s Health Physical Therapist
During Men’s Health Awareness Month, we encourage men to take steps toward living a healthier life by staying active, maintaining a good diet, and taking early action when experiencing health issues. We sat down with men’s health expert, physical therapist, and Chicago clinic manager Nate Mancillas to discuss important men’s health topics and how physical therapy can help overall wellness.
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What is Work Conditioning and What Are the Benefits?
Work conditioning is a somewhat misunderstood program. Some think it is for injured workers who have failed acute therapy, some believe it is the last chance before a patient reaches the end of care, and some assume it is acute physical therapy but with more lifting involved.
5 Ways Physical Therapy Can Help You Get Back to Work
People who work in labor intensive jobs are often thought of as “industrial athletes” due to the heavy physical demands of their jobs. In such settings, on-the-job injuries tend to be more common and it can be challenging to get back to work, especially when working requires lifting heavy loads, pushing, pulling, walking long distances, etc. In these situations, not only does the injured worker have to heal from their injury, but they also have to restore strength and endurance in order to return to work safely. Physical therapy after a work injury can decrease disability and impairment, so long as you are compliant with the program. Here are five ways your physical therapist can help you prepare to return to work after an injury or illness.
What Is Post-Offer Employment Testing and How Can It Help Employers?
Hiring is difficult in every industry – especially right now. Hiring an employee who gets injured in the first few weeks on the job can be crushing to a business. It’s important to utilize the proper pre-hire exams that will both safely and legally evaluate a candidate’s functional worker’s abilities. In this blog, we’ll not only discuss what Post-Offer Employment Testing is, but why it is beneficial for employers to protect their workforce as well as their bottom line.
Physical Therapy’s Role in the Workplace
Physical therapists play an active role in the care and prevention of Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace. Musculoskeletal pain refers to pain in the muscles, tendons, bones, joints, ligaments and nerves of the body. These MSDs are detrimental to the employee’s health, expensive for the business, and lead to lost time and turnover. In fact, musculoskeletal disorders are the largest healthcare expense in the U.S. Taken on in the form of workers’ compensation claims, MSDs account for over $50 billion dollars a year – many of which, may be preventable.
Does Poor Posture Really Cause Back Pain?
How many times have you heard from your elders to “Sit up straight” or “Stop slouching.” We often hear these phrases growing up and many others like them. But how much does our posture relate to the development of back pain? Growing up, I always thought it was very important and as I began my training as a physical therapist, that was reaffirmed. However, as I became more of an orthopedic expert, I realized it is not nearly as important as we were told.
