Many different jobs involve the repeated lifting, carrying, loading, lowering, pulling, or pushing of heavy objects. Anyone who participates in this type of activity at work is at risk of suffering a serious back injury. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),1 over 1,000,000 workers in the U.S. suffer from work-related back injuries every year.
Back injuries can result from muscle strain, sprains, damage to the spinal cords, slipped discs, pinched nerves, and more. These injuries can result from one event or can develop over time due to repetitive activities. No matter what type of back injury you have, it can result in severe pain and can limit your work and other activities.
How is a back injury treated?
Back injury treatments will depend on many different factors, including the location of the injury, the type of injury, and the seriousness of the injury. Some common treatment programs include the following:
- Rest from activity
- X-rays and other diagnostic tests
- Medication, including narcotic painkillers and muscle relaxers for serious injuries
- Physical therapy
- Ultrasound therapy2
- Chiropractic treatment
- Deep tissue massage
- Back braces
- Surgery
In some cases, back injury victims may be unable to work, do household chores, or even walk for days or weeks. While you may wish to get back to your regular activities as soon as possible it is always best to follow the treatment advice of your doctors to ensure your injury recovers as soon as possible.
Call a committed South Carolina workers’ compensation attorney today
Many workers who injure their backs do not fully realize their rights under the state workers’ compensation laws. At the law office of skilled workers’ compensation attorney Walter Hundley, we assist injured workers to make sure they receive the full amount of benefits to which they are entitled under the law. If you have injured your back at work, you deserve to have your medical treatment covered, as well as receive partial wages for time you miss from work. Call us today at 843-723-1995 or 866-723-1995 for a free initial consultation to find out how we can help you.
References:
1https://ehs.okstate.edu/training/oshaback.htm
2https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3810427/
