Back injuries are one of the worst threats facing workers today. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, back injuries account for 20 percent of work-related injuries across all industries. More than a million people suffer back injuries in the workplace every year, costing $50 billion annually in medical costs, lost income, and more.
Part of the problem is how many different factors can cause a back injury:
- Lifting heavy items
- Repetitive lifting (even of moderate-weight items)
- Poorly-designed desks or chairs
- Sitting in one position for extended periods
- Slipping and falling
- Working while bent or hunched
While many people live with minor or temporary back pain, five percent of back pain injuries become chronic (and potentially permanent). Many of those conditions require medical treatment, some of which is either costly or long term.
Back injuries requiring medical treatment include:
- Sciatica (often caused by herniated disc)
- Slipped or prolapsed disc
- Arthritis
- Whiplash
- Spinal fractures
Simple Ways to Relieve Back Pain
One of the problems with back pain is that there’s as many different kinds of pain as there are injuries. There’s dull pain, sharp pain, shooting pain; it could be periodic or constant; and sometimes pain can get worse with sitting, standing, or bending.
Here are a few ways to solve minor back pain on your own:
- If you rest in bed, don’t rest longer than two days.
- Practice good posture by keeping your ears directly above your hips.
- Avoid low couches or seats.
- Make sure your work surface or desk is at a heigh that allows your forearms to rest at a 90-degree angle.
- Use a pillow or pad to support your lower back while sitting.
- Change positions often.
Major back pain may not be solved by anything but surgeons, physical therapists, and other specialists. However, most workers don’t have the money or the time to get medical treatment for their backs. Medical care would require them to stop working, which would make them unable to support themselves. At the same time, continuing to work will only make your back worse, eventually requiring you to stop working anyway.
If you’re facing problems from work-related back injuries in Atlanta, speak with Workers’ Compensation Attorney Douglas Kaleita. AtKaleita Law Firm, LLC our firm has won millions of dollars for our clients and has more than 30 years of experience navigating the workers’ compensation system. There’s no upfront fee to working with us, and we make sure our clients have access to world-class medical care while we handle their cases.
Speak with us at (888) 665-7699 today to learn your legal and financial options. Your consultation is free, so there’s no risk to calling.