Types of Occupational Injuries Physical Therapy Can Treat

occupational injury treatment

Getting injured on the job is stressful because it not only impedes your ability to work, but impacts your personal life as well. You take job injuries home with you, making it difficult to enjoy your favorite activities.

Fortunately, many companies have policies in place that help protect injured workers so they can get the care they need. In many cases, that care involves physical therapy. If you’ve been injured at work, you should seek occupational injury treatment from a physical therapist like those at Whatcom Physical Therapy.

What are common types of occupational injuries?

Workplace injuries often occur due to stress, overexertion, slips and falls. Other injuries build up slowly over time as a result of repetitive use or poor posture. Either way, physical therapy can help.

Physical therapists, like those at Whatcom Physical Therapy, are trained and experienced in rehabilitating the musculoskeletal system. Whether due to trauma or overuse, your physical therapist can assist you in strengthening your muscles and ligaments and regaining mobility to help improve your quality of life and get you back to work.

Some of the most common workplace injuries include:

  • Slips — Slipping or tripping on liquids or objects in the workplace accounts for many occupational injuries.
  • Repetitive stress injuries — Working for too long without breaks, especially if your job is physically demanding, can cause repetitive stress injuries. This includes typing or sitting for long periods of time too, so desk workers should be wary of these types of injuries as well.
  • Vehicle-related injuries — Some jobs require employees to operate vehicles. This includes on the public road as well as operating smaller vehicles in warehouses. Accidents can occur when operating any of these vehicles, and physical therapists can aid in your recovery.
  • Machinery-related injuries — If you work with machinery, you may be at risk of injury from moving parts or projectiles launched from the equipment.

Why you should visit a physical therapist for occupational injury treatment

Physical therapists will assist you in regaining the strength and mobility of injured muscles and ligaments surrounding the injured area. This helps reduce your pain and assists in your recovery time and quality of life while recovering.

At Whatcom Physical Therapy, we develop personalized treatments based on individual factors, including injury type and severity, age, medical history and overall health. We use the latest methods and technologies in many of our treatments, including SENAR and BEMER.

Have you been injured on the job and would like assistance in recovering to your fullest ability? Contact us today to speak with one of our physical therapists about developing a treatment for you.