A Tradies Guide: Common Injuries and How Geelong Chiropractic Can Help

Posted on May 21, 2024 in News

Tradesmen and women, or “tradies” as they’re affectionately known, are the backbone of many industries. Whether you’re a carpenter, electrician, plumber, or any other trade professional, you know that your job often involves physical labour and long hours on your feet. With this hard work comes the risk of injuries, from the minor strains to the more serious accidents. In this post, we’ll explore some common injuries that tradies may encounter and discuss how chiropractors can play a crucial role in their recovery and overall health.

What are my chances of getting injured at work?

Average Percentage of Injury Hotspots across all trades: *This information was formulated from the Worksafe Victoria website.

Face, Eye & Ear: 6.5%

Neck: 5%

Shoulder: 9.5%

Arm: 6.3%

Back: 15.8%

Abdomen: 5.5%

Forearm/wrist: 6.6%

Hand/fingers: 16.5%

Leg: 6.8%

Knee: 11.8%

Ankle: 6.3%

Foot/Toes: 5%

Take action now to avoid being just another statistic:

https://www.shannonavechiro.com.au/book-an-appointment

Common Injuries Among Tradies

1. Back Strain and disc bulge/protrusion:

Cause: Lifting heavy objects, poor posture while working, repetitive bending.
Symptoms: Dull or sharp pain in the lower back, can also experience numbness/tingling in the legs, stiffness, and limited mobility.
Impact: Back pain can significantly hinder a tradie’s ability to work efficiently, leading to time off the job and lost income.

2. Shoulder Injuries

Cause: Overhead work, lifting, repetitive motions (e.g., hammering).
Symptoms: Pain, tenderness, limited range of motion.
Impact: Shoulder injuries can make even simple tasks like reaching for tools or materials painful and challenging.

3. Knee Strain

Cause: Prolonged kneeling, lifting heavy loads, working on uneven surfaces.
Symptoms: Swelling, pain, instability.
Impact: Knee strain can make it difficult to perform essential tasks like climbing ladders or working in tight spaces.

4. Neck Pain

Cause: Poor workstation setup, looking down for extended periods, carrying heavy loads on shoulders.
Symptoms: Stiffness, headaches, pain that radiates down the arms.
Impact: Neck pain can affect concentration and lead to discomfort during work hours.

5. Wrist and Elbow Strain (e.g., “Tradies’ Elbow/tennis elbow and golfers elbow”)

Cause: Repetitive gripping, use of vibrating tools, awkward wrist positions.
Symptoms: Pain, weakness, numbness or tingling.
Impact: These injuries can interfere with the ability to grasp tools or perform intricate tasks.

How Chiropractors Can Help

Chiropractors are healthcare professionals trained to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal issues, making them valuable allies for tradies dealing with work-related injuries. Here’s how they can assist:

1. Spinal Adjustments/mobilisation/manipulation

Target: Spinal Joints, extremity joints such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, knee, ankle and foot.
How it Helps: Chiropractic adjustments can improve joint movement/mechanics of the spine and extremities, open up the spaces around the spinal disc and nerves, and improve mobility. This not only alleviates pain but also enhances overall function/movement, allowing tradies to move and work more comfortably with the intention of being pain free.

2. Soft Tissue Therapy / Active release techniques

Target: Shoulder, knee, wrist/hand, and elbow injuries.
How it Helps: Techniques such as massage, myofascial release, and stretching can reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote healing in injured soft tissues. It can have a localised analgesic effect giving rise to pain reduction and improve mobility

3. Posture Correction

Target: Spinal/pelvis
How it Helps: Chiropractors can provide guidance on proper posture techniques for work, helping prevent further injuries. They may also recommend ergonomic adjustments to workstations or tools. * A small disclaimer; there isn’t one single ideal lifting posture, everyone is an individual and will lift differently, often injury will occur when lifting because the tissue could not handle the loading upon it. Think of it like going to the gym and trying to lift a weight of 200kg, with no training the likelihood of injury would skyrocket.

4. Rehabilitation Exercises

Target: All common injuries.
How it Helps: Chiropractors often prescribe specific exercises to strengthen joints and muscles and improve flexibility. These exercises can aid in recovery, prevent future injuries, and enhance performance on the job.

5. Holistic Approach to Health

How it Helps: Beyond treating immediate injuries, chiropractors take a holistic approach to health. They may offer advice on nutrition, lifestyle modifications, stress management and sleep advice all of which contribute to overall well-being and reduce the likelihood of in injury.

Conclusion

Tradies work hard, often in physically demanding environments that put them at risk for various injuries. From back pain to wrist strain, these injuries can be debilitating and impact both work and personal life. Chiropractors are well-equipped to not only treat these common injuries but also to provide guidance on prevention and long-term health.

If you’re a tradie experiencing pain or discomfort, consider scheduling a consultation with a chiropractor. Their expertise in musculoskeletal health could be the key to getting back on your feet, pain-free, and ready to tackle the demands of your trade. Remember, taking care of your body today means a healthier and more productive tomorrow on the job site.