Overexertion is a leading cause of injury across age groups. It also causes 35% of all work-related injuries. Read on to learn how to protect yourself from overexertion at work and at home.
Causes of Overexertion Injuries
Overexerting yourself can lead to a number of ergonomic injuries. Your muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, ligaments, cartilage, spinal discs, and/or blood vessels can become injured due to:
- Repetitive motion
- Excessive lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, reaching, or stretching
- Sitting or standing for a prolonged period
- Temperature extremes
- Working in awkward positions
- Using excessive force
Whether you type at a computer or work on an assembly line, it’s important to know the signs of ergonomic injury. Symptoms may include everything from posture problems, discomfort, and tendonitis to chronic pain and disability.
Ergonomic Injury Prevention
Exercising regularly and including both stretching and strength training in your routine can help prevent injuries. Build frequent breaks into your day to make sure that you are not in the same position for more than 20-30 minutes at a time. If you need to lift something, plan the lift before you start and keep your back straight while lifting with your legs. Limit the amount of time you spend on repetitive motion.
If you work at a desk, make sure your computer screen, desk, and chair are at the right heights. Don’t forget to give your eyes regular breaks from the screen!
If you begin to notice pain, numbness, tingling, tenderness, swelling, loss of strength, or clicking, discuss it with your healthcare provider to learn how to prevent a full-blown injury such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
