Do I Need Physical Therapy After A Work Injury?

Injuries in the workplace are much more common than people think. Each year across the United States, thousands of people are physically injured on the job. Whether it’s from a repetitive stress injury, a fall, or an accident, workplace injuries can deeply affect your life.

One of the best ways to recover from a workplace injury is by completing physical therapy. Physical therapy after a work injury can help you restore function to your body, promote healing, reduce pain, regain strength and balance, and even prevent future injuries.

If you’re wondering, “Do I need physical therapy after a work injury?” It’s important to understand how you may benefit, the common types of workplace injuries, how physical therapy can support your care, and more.

Common Types Of Work-Related Injuries

Workplace injuries can vary widely, depending on what kind of workplace you have. Injuries can range from repetitive strain injuries, common in office jobs and factories, to accidents at construction sites and industrial positions.

The most frequent injuries and conditions include:

Repetitive Strain Injuries

These injuries include conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis. They happen due to the nature of repetitive work, such as in a factory or even typing and desk work.

Back Injuries

Some of the most debilitating injuries at the workplace are back injuries. Whether from an accident or because of a strain, back injuries are common in jobs that involve lifting.

Slips And Falls

Slip-and-fall injuries are common at workplaces that require a lot of time on your feet and may have slippery or uneven services. Falls can cause many injuries, including broken bones, that physical therapy may be able to address. 

Neck Injuries

Closely related to back injuries, neck injuries can often benefit from physical therapy.

Vehicle-Related Injuries

Automobiles are one of the most dangerous things many of us operate nearly every day, and injuries from car accidents can happen at work. These injuries often affect multiple parts of the body at once.

If you’ve experienced any of the injuries above, you may be a good candidate for physical therapy.

Signs You May Benefit From Physical Therapy

One of the biggest signs you may need physical therapy after a work-related injury is if you’re in pain. Physical therapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive way to reduce pain in the body and become healthy again.

A physical therapist can help you strengthen muscles, regain your range of motion of limbs and digits, and reduce swelling and inflammation, all ultimately reducing pain.

Physical therapy may also be for you if you have limited range of motion or a part of your body has become weak or unstable because of your injury. If you have difficulty standing for long periods or when walking, for example, physical therapy can help you regain these skills.

Physical therapy is also great for people who want to explore other options before surgery or taking medication. Physical therapy has very little risk of complications that come with medication or surgery, and it’s often the most conservative choice when deciding between techniques.

How Physical Therapy Supports Recovery After A Work Injury

Physical therapy supports recovery after a work injury by helping to reduce pain, regain range of motion, adding strength and balance, and encouraging education about the body to prevent future injuries.

Our bodies are not perfect. While they are truly astonishing machines, when they are injured, they sometimes need a bit of extra help to heal correctly. Physical therapy makes sure the body heals properly, while helping prevent future injuries. 

The Importance Of Addressing Work Injuries Early

As with almost all medical issues, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By promptly addressing work injuries, in most cases, you can heal faster, with less pain, and a reduced chance of complications.

Delaying treatment can lead to further injury, longer recovery periods, and a greater likelihood of your injuries becoming permanent or chronic.

When in doubt, seek treatment as early as possible.

How We Can Help 

If you think you may benefit from physical therapy, contact ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic today. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have or set up an initial consultation.

We can help you recover from work-related injuries and reduce pain, build strength, regain range of motion, and give you the education you need to protect yourself in the future.

We understand the challenges inherent in workplace injuries and are looking forward to helping you get back to a pain-free, healthy life.