Injured at Work?
A 15-year data analysis revealed that the total cost of workplace injuries in Australia is estimated to be in the billions of dollars annually. Speaking of which, work-related injuries are not only a burden shared by employers and the injured themselves but by their families and ultimately, society as a whole.
But, here is the good news; osteopathy can help. Despite having a broad range of treatment options available for workplace-related stress injuries, osteopathy is considered one of the most effective among them. And the reason is understandable, unlike other treatments that involve heavy drugs, osteopathy is a holistic form of healthcare that focuses on treating the whole body, without any drugs involved. Also, osteopathy believes in not just focusing on the symptoms of a particular injury or condition but also helping you have a lifestyle that nurtures your whole body.
Understanding Workplace Related Injuries
Places like construction sites, farms, and even hospitals, where you think safety would be the top priority, can be surprisingly dangerous. These are often industries having inadequate safety protocols, and insufficient training, leaving workers vulnerable to harm.
Here are only a few examples of employees getting injured at work:
Aching Backs and Pulled Muscles: Lifting, pushing, twisting – your spine’s worst nightmare.
Slips and Trips: Gravity strikes on construction sites and uneven terrain.
Sharp Tools and Machinery Cuts: From nicks to stitches, a workplace hazard’s constant threat.
Toxic Fumes and Dust: Respiratory issues, skin irritation, long-term health woes.
High Pressure and Emotional Demands: Anxiety, depression, burnout – the hidden cost of caring professions.
Loud Machines and Music Venues: Permanent hearing damage from prolonged exposure to loud machinery, construction work, and certain music venues.
Typing, Assembly Lines, Repetitive Strain: Carpal tunnel syndrome, unwelcome workplace souvenir.
Eye injuries: Scratches, abrasions, and even blindness caused by flying debris, sparks, chemicals, and inadequate eye protection.
Crushing Machinery and Falling Objects: Life-threatening injuries, a stark reminder of safety’s importance.
Exposed Wires and Electrical Equipment: Electric shock from faulty equipment, exposed wiring, and unsafe electrical work practices.
Principles of Osteopathy
Everything’s connected, affecting each other.Bone, muscle, and joint health impact movement and vice versa.
Your body wants to heal itself, osteopaths help it along.
Techniques Osteopaths Use
Soft tissue massage: Loosening muscles and tissues for better flow.
Joint manipulation: Gentle adjustments to restore normal movement and reduce pain.
Stretching exercises: Individualised targeted stretches to regain flexibility and mobility.
Benefits of Osteopathy in Injuries
A significant portion of Australian osteopaths manage work-related injuries. Over 85% of osteopaths reported treating work-related injuries at least occasionally in the past year. And we’re more than glad that sufferers are choosing a drug-free holistic approach, that believes in the human body’s capability to heal itself. Osteopaths for work-related injuries diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, with a particular focus on the bones, muscles, and joints of the body.
Osteopathy is a holistic approach that addresses the root cause rather than merely masking symptoms with heavy doses of medicine. Osteopathic treatment for work-related injuries is non-invasive, involving no needles or surgery, and presents a lower risk of complications. In the world of osteopathic care, we believe that every person has a unique body with individual issues. That’s why an osteopath’s treatment plan is personalised only for your body, helping you recover and restore.
Relieving pain from a sufferer’s daily life not only uplifts their mood but also contributes to reducing discomfort and improving the quality of life. This enables sufferers to enjoy life fully, putting any past injuries out of mind.
Not only that, there is a significant role of osteopathy in preventing future injuries, by restoring balance and function to the body that promotes healing and proper guidance and tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle and alleviate pain for a long period.
Osteopathic Treatment for Injuries at Work
Osteopathy for Headaches and Migraines
Osteopathic treatments can offer relief from different types of headaches. For tension headaches, which often result from muscle tightness in the neck, shoulders, and back, osteopathy involves massage, gentle traction, and counterstrain techniques. These methods aim to release tension and provide stretches and exercises for self-management. Addressing underlying musculoskeletal imbalances can even prevent future headaches and migraines.
Osteopathy for Back and Neck Pain from Sitting/Standing
Osteopathy reduces inflammation, releases spinal compression, increases range of motion, and strengthens the affected areas through a combination of techniques such as soft tissue massage, oscillation, dry needling, articulation, and stretching.
Osteopathy for Repetitive Strain Injuries
Repetitive tasks often lead to RSIs. Osteopaths for work-related injuries can help by pinpointing areas of tension and dysfunction breaking up adhesions and improving flexibility through targeted massage, stretching, and joint mobilisation. Osteopath Sydney also works with you to identify and address contributing factors, like poor posture or ergonomics, to prevent any work-related injuries in the first place.
Conclusion
Work-related injuries happen, but they shouldn’t steal your right to live an active life—emotionally and physically. Here at Osteopath Sydney, we significantly contribute to improved health and better return-to-work outcomes for injured workers. We are qualified and delighted to provide osteopathic treatment for workers, assisting them and their bodies in overcoming injuries and returning to a healthy lifestyle. If you have questions or seek an opinion on a work-related injury, book an appointment with us!
