by Eliza Sterling

In the fiscal year of 2018-19, workers in the UK reported about 581,000 non-fatal workplace injuries. The aggravation of halting your fitness regime due to a work-related injury is unfathomable. Keeping this fact in context, our cold-therapy advisors have compiled a list of frequently occurring workplace injuries and the ways to elude them.

The majority of workplace injuries are due to repetitive stress and overexertion. Tasks including lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying are common causes and can lead to unbearable pain and consequently time off work. Here’s a look at the top four most ordinary injuries caused by repetitive stress and overexertion in the workplace:

Back Injuries

Common globally, back injuries are a significant cause of concern. Even slight back pain can drastically affect an individual’s quality of life and their effectiveness at work. Improper training is one of many reasons why back problems are so widespread.

Incorrect lifting technique is the main culprit for back issues – and ironically, it’s the easiest to rectify. Employers must offer adequate training for jobs that entail regular lifting. But, it’s commonly neglected since it’s assumed that everyone is already adept in correct lifting.

Quick fix: Try these simple steps – lift using the legs not the back, keep the object close to your body, and engage your core; this prevents unnecessary strain on back muscles. If your back is bothering you, stretching twice a day, particularly focusing on the lower back muscles, can improve flexibility and mobility. Cold therapies, muscle rubs, and equipment like foam rollers can also alleviate discomfort.

Muscle Strains

A muscle strain or a pulled muscle, resulting from overexertion, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. Symptoms include sudden pain, soreness, limited range of motion, swelling, and often strength loss.

Causes vary – from overworking and fatigue to poor flexibility and conditioning.

Quick fix: Incorporate a few morning stretches into your routine to diminish the probability of pulling a muscle significantly. Also, follow the P.O.L.I.C.E. (Protect, Optimal Load, Ice, Compress, and Elevate) steps if you experience muscle strain.

Neck Injuries

Minor neck injuries frequently observed in work environments are soft tissue damage, pulled muscles and tendon or ligament damage. These injuries are often a result of heavy lifting, slips, trips, falls and falling objects. Like back injuries, they can cause long-term discomfort.

Quick fix: To avoid neck injuries, don’t exceed your physical limits. Taking regular breaks while doing heavy lifting tasks is critical. If you work in an office ensure that you maintain a good posture and that your computer screen is at eye level.

Joint, Tendon and Connective Tissue Injuries

Individuals in manual jobs are commonly subjected to joint pain. This pain could affect anywhere but most often targets the elbows, wrists, knees, and back. It doesn’t always take heavy lifting to develop these issues, repetitive movement alone over the years can trigger them.

Quick fix: These injuries aren’t easy to prevent. If you work in a job that requires repetitive actions, it might be beneficial to use joint supports. Thanks to advancements in sports science, there’s a wide range of highly effective products available.

In conclusion, awareness and prevention are definitely better than a cure. Taking these suggested precautions and using proper techniques can immensely reduce the risk of workplace injuries, so do keep them in mind as you navigate your working day.

Workplace injuries, back injuries, muscle strains, neck injuries, joint injuries, repetitive stress, overexertion injuries, cold therapies, prevention techniques, joint supports