Occupations involving manual labor demand a significant physical toll. Manual labor is defined as a job where an employee spends at least a quarter of their working hours on their feet, carrying, cleaning, lifting, and/or moving things.1 These jobs usually include operating some type of heavy machinery as well. Not surprisingly, shoulder injuries are a common complaint among manual labor employees. The shoulder consists of several joints that connect to various tendons and muscles. Due to its complexity and range of motion, the shoulder is very vulnerable to injury.
Chronic shoulder pain is generally considered to be a repetitive strain injury. These injuries frequently stem from prolonged, repetitive, or awkward movements. Some manual labor activities that can cause a repetitive strain injury are carrying or lifting heavy loads, using industrial machinery, and extensive hand-arm vibration. Although a shoulder injury often develops gradually making it hard to pinpoint its cause, there are several ways to stay ahead of a shoulder strain in the workplace.
Tips to Prevent Shoulder Strain:
- Warm-Up - shoulder stretches and a short warmup can get the heart rate up and increase the fluids that lubricate joints. Light stretches after the work activity can also help to keep the shoulder joint from becoming stiff.
- Use Proper Posture - if the task engages the upper body, avoid hunching, leaning, or rounding the shoulders. It is also important to adjust posture when using the arms.
- Lift Weight Carefully - adhere to individual weight limit guidelines and use proper lifting techniques. It is important to keep the spine as upright as possible when lifting heavy objects. Lifting items close to the body and utilizing the power of the legs and hips is imperative to avoiding injury.
- Rest When Needed - the shoulder needs time to recuperate properly. There are times when limiting activity, especially arm motion is necessary.
If you or your loved one suffers from a shoulder strain injury, the physical therapists at ACE Rehab can guide you through recovery from start to finish. They can and will tailor a strengthening program to protect the current injury and prevent future injuries. Let us work to get you back to work!
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