No matter if you work in a warehouse or an office, you are susceptible to workplace injuries.  One of the most common types of workplace injuries are back injuries.  Back pain can range from mild pain to severe pain and can last only a short time or be a life-long problem.  If your back is injured at work, then you are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim.  Here we review some of the most common back injuries. 

Finding an orthopaedic physician who helps you resolve the issue is important.  If you are interested in learning about our workers’ compensation program, click here.  Our offices are in Marietta, Canton and Carrollton.

Muscle Strains

Strained back muscles happen when there is too much force that is exerted either when moving or when lifting objects that are heavy.  A strained back muscle can cause neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, sciatic pain, low back and mid back pain, depending on where the injury is sustained.  Finding a great orthopaedic physician is essential in helping you find the root of the problem and to alleviate your pain.  Many physicians are willing to visit the site where the injury occurred and help find ways to prevent these injuries in the future.

Posture Issues

If you are sitting at a desk all day, or you find yourself driving in a car, posture can cause back problems.  If you are looking down all day you are putting excessive pressure on your spine.  Sometimes this is because we are doing a job that requires looking down, or possibly it is because your computer is not ergonomically appropriate.  Either way, posture problems can end up causing neck or shoulder pain, sciatica, low back pain, or pain in the mid-back.  Work with your HR professional to ensure your job is designed in the most ergonomically efficient way.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

Many repetitive motion injuries happen due to excessive lifting, pulling, holding or carrying items.  If you want to avoid getting this kind of injury, make sure you are not overexerting yourself.  Your employer should be able to assist in finding you something that can help or finding alternative ways to get the tasks accomplished.  Following the safety rules in your office in general is important for avoiding workers’ compensation injuries. If an employee goes against the set rules and disregards safety warnings and they get hurt, they will not be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, so it is important you know what those rules are.