Muscle strains and sprains are one of the most common forms of musculoskeletal injuries. We’ve all experienced pain and discomfort in our tendons, ligaments, and muscles at some point in our lives, be it at the wrists or neck.
Have you been experiencing muscle stiffness a little too often ever since you started working at that new job? Don’t ignore the warning signs; you may be suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder!
What Are WMSDs?
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders or WMSDs are muscle ailments and injuries brought on because of ineffective or unsafe work conditions. These may develop over the course of several weeks, months, or even years because of the nature of the tasks you do and the body movements involved during those tasks.
Since WMSDs don’t just appear overnight, you may not immediately associate them with your workplace. Difficult to foresee, these ailments can severely impact the quality of your life and persist for a long time. Tendinitis, sciatica, rotator cuff syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and bursitis are all examples of work-related musculoskeletal disorders affecting various areas of your body such as the wrists, knees, shoulders, back, and neck.
The Role of Ergonomics
Work ergonomics refers to the workplace conditions as well as the job demands that affect your health and your capability to perform certain tasks. For instance, awkward postures, forceful exertions, material handling, vibration and mechanical compression, work duration, and even temperature extremes all contribute towards the onset of a WMSD.
Another thing that falls under work ergonomics and may be causing a musculoskeletal disorder is repetitive movement. If your work requires you to perform similar movements over and over again, such as heavy lifting or bending, then your muscles are likely to get overworked because of excessive stress. This can cause significant pain and discomfort. Occupations that require you to remain seated at your desk throughout the day or continuously twist, bend, or contort your body at specific movements are particularly likely to lead to a WMSD.
Signs You May Have a WMSD
You can recognize the onset of a work-related musculoskeletal disorder by the following symptoms:
- Dull aching or sharp stabbing pain in the hands, wrists, or fingers
- Joint stiffness and swelling
- Pain in the upper or lower back, shoulders, or neck
- Decreased range of motion
- Loss of muscle function
- Muscle tightness or discomfort
- Loss of coordination
- Difficulty in making certain movements
How to Treat a WSMD
If you’re suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder, the first thing you need to do is rest or take a break from doing the particular task causing the pain and stiffness. Secondly, you should also take preventative measures at your workplace, such as stretching your body if you’ve been seated by the computer all day or supporting your back and neck to maintain the right posture.
Another thing that helps in alleviating the symptoms of WMSDs is PRP treatment. Used to treat a number of musculoskeletal conditions, PRP injection therapy can reduce the pain by triggering a natural healing response in the body.
Get in touch with the expert staff at RegenerVate Medical Injection Therapy located in the greater Toronto area, and resolve your work-related musculoskeletal ailments and injuries by making an appointment!
