Of all of South Florida's employees, construction workers are consistently the most vulnerable. Whether they're perched perilously on a high rise, carrying hundreds of pounds of material, or vibrating along with massive machinery, the very nature of their work puts construction workers in danger. So much so, that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports construction workers experience more back injuries than any other profession in the United States.
Before you put back on that hard hat, it's time to take a hard look at the reality of potential construction injuries. Luckily, your South Florida chiropractor is here to help.
Am I At Risk At My Construction Job?
Since May of 2017, Miami alone has added over 6,300 construction jobs. South Florida communities are home to thousands of construction workers in total, with more joining the workforce everyday. Unfortunately, a plethora of construction opportunities also means more construction workers are being injured on the job.
In fact, construction is a leading industry in several booming South Florida cities, creating a higher percentage of occupational injuries in:
An estimated 1 of every 100 construction worker misses work because of a back injury, with an average of seven missed work days per year. A whopping 70 percent of construction workers experienced low-back pain over a one-year period, and 25 percent of all construction worker injuries are to the back.
What Injuries Could I Be Facing?
The physical stress that construction workers are exposed to on a daily basis makes them vulnerable to chronic conditions like back pain. Heavy labor, carrying objects without proper equipment, and repetitive bending, climbing, and lifting are just some of the ways that can create overuse injuries.
Repeatedly performing physical tasks creates microscopic tears within the tissue. When these tears aren't given a chance to heal, they become inflamed, creating swelling, localized pain, and tenderness at the sight of overuse injury. However, construction workers are also prone to many other injuries, including:
- Sprains and strains
- Herniated or ruptured discs
- Pinched nerves
- Broken bones
- Muscle imbalance
- Electrical burns
- Tendinitis
- Whiplash
Can a Chiropractor Near Me Help?
All too often, we power through pain in our back, neck, and shoulders in order to get the job done. However, continuing to overuse or place stress on an existing injury will only exacerbate it. This can lead to chronic pain or permanent damage, and can even result in disability which can end a construction worker’s career.
Instead, take the time to visit a South Florida chiropractor. Not only can a chiropractor help alleviate pain and speed up the healing process, but they can also help defend you against future injury. Plus, a chiropractor can identify the root of your pain and treat it at the source, as opposed to prescribing medications with groggy, drowsy side effects that simply mask symptoms.
For instance, consider the benefits of seeing a chiropractor for a pinched nerve. At ChiroCare of Florida, our physicians address the root cause of the pinched nerve and work toward fixing the problem through targeted spinal manipulation and soothing therapies.
A pinched nerve can manifest with several different symptoms, often causing pain and other symptoms in other parts of the body, such as down the leg or through the arm. Using a thorough physical examination and medical image testing, a chiropractor can identify the true location of a pinched nerve, what is causing the compression, and decide on a treatment plan that will alleviate the stress.
Other benefits for visiting a chiropractor near you include:
- Increase mobility
- Improve range of motion
- Correct muscle imbalance
- Help heal existing injuries
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Improve balance and flexibility
- Help strengthen muscle to prevent future overuse injury
Searching Chiropractors In My Area Today
The constant wear and tear placed on a construction worker leaves their body constantly susceptible to injury. Most will grab another bottle of Ibuprofen to mask the pain and head back to the work site, or worse, miss days of pay due to otherwise avoidable injuries. Instead of scouring the web for home remedies, try a quick Google search for "chiropractor near me."
At ChiroCare of Florida, our 11 convenient offices throughout the South Florida area welcome all construction workers to experience the difference chiropractic care can make. From improved balance and mobility on the job site to lessened pain symptoms, chiropractic is making construction employees nationwide stronger, more nimble, and pain-free. Visit a chiropractor near you today to experience the difference for yourself.
Make an appointment for treatment with Dr. Piccirillo in our Aventura office, or visit one of our other convenient locations. Book Now
