Repetitive lifting or sudden heavy lifting demands are responsible for many on-the-job back injuries. Professionals at manufacturing facilities who load heavy metal cylinders into CNC machines and medical professionals who assist patients getting in and out of bed could easily hurt their backs.
Professionals are also vulnerable to back injuries in cases where their job responsibilities require twisting motions. Even without extreme exertion, regular twisting can cause chronic pain.
The spine is meant to move
Twisting from the lower back or hips is a common and efficient motion in a work setting. Professionals manning a multi-step station in the manufacturing facility or working in a cramped restaurant kitchen might need to regularly twist to perform job functions.
While the spine is flexible by nature, repeated twisting can still cause injuries. Specifically, professionals who routinely perform twisting maneuvers at work may be at risk of developing a lower back injury. They may have pain that limits their speed and functional capabilities. A twisting-related back injury could be the result of moving too fast or too far. It can also be the result of cumulative trauma after years of performing the same small motion at work.
Lower back pain can affect job performance and may require a leave of absence. Workers may also need to undergo medical care to address their symptoms. In cases where lower back pain is clearly a result of job functions, injured employees may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. They can pursue benefits to replace their lost wages and pay for their medical treatment.
Reporting a back injury and consulting with a workers’ compensation attorney can help injured professionals get the benefits they require to return to work as quickly as possible.
