6 Reaction Injuries That Can Occur in the Office

By Dr. Erik Simms

One of the most common injuries people experience in the office is reaction injuries. These injuries are caused by various activities such as tripping, sitting, standing, reaching, and more. Of course, these actions sound insignificant because we do all of those almost every day. However, a reaction injury itself is quite severe, and since such activities are repeated often, once the injury occurs, it will only get worse!

That being said, let’s delve into a few of the reaction injuries that can occur in the office and what symptoms they have:

1. Neck Strain

A neck strain occurs when you strain your neck muscles as a result of performing constant movements such as turning your head, looking upward to read a document, and even looking down to type. For example, if you are looking down to type, your eyes are positioned at a downward angle, which requires you to lean your head forward. Over time, this can cause your neck muscles to strain, leading to neck pain, stiffness, and even headaches!

2. Back Strain

Office workers who sit for prolonged periods of time are more likely to experience lower back strain. Back strain is caused by hunching the back, bending the upper back forward, and leaning too far forward. Even more, if these actions are done frequently, they can eventually cause major back pain!

3. Meniscus Tear

If you’re an avid runner, you’re unlikely to experience a meniscus tear, but if you’re not, meniscus tears are very likely to occur. In fact, according to Emory University, a meniscus tear is actually one of the most common injuries in the workplace, especially for those who stand for a significant amount of time.

4. Wrist Strain

Office workers who sit at a computer for a significant amount of time, who type regularly, and who hold their wrists in a bent position often experience wrist strain. Wrist strain itself is a painful condition that can be caused by repetitive hand and forearm movements, such as typing or gripping a mouse.

5. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs as a result of repetitive hand and wrist movements as well. That being said, it is one of the most common office injuries that occur in business workers. For example, if you type frequently, play certain musical instruments, or even perform similar movements like those for an office job, you are much more likely to experience carpal tunnel syndrome. Once you do, your hands will experience numbness and a tingling sensation, as well as burning pain or aching.

6. Sore Elbow

Sore elbows are common amongst office workers who type on the computer. These individuals bend the elbows and the computer somewhat often, causing the muscles in the elbow to develop chronic stress. This stress can lead to pain and stiffness.

Conclusion

Reactive injuries in office settings are common because we spend so much of our time in an office job. Whether you’re a professional who works 40 hours a week or a student who attends school, you’ll inevitably spend a significant amount of time in a chair. That being said, you’ll want to look into ergonomic chairs, ergonomic keyboards and mice, and other ergonomic products to reduce your risk of injury. Also, if you do have a reactive injury, you must visit a chiropractic clinic right away. They can help you recover from such injuries, ensuring that you are back to your pain-free self to maximize productivity and job satisfaction!

Triple Crown Chiropractic is a premier chiropractic and wellness center offering solutions to help individuals find relief from pain. If you are looking for the best chiropractic clinic in Northern Kentucky, get in touch with us today!

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