Many of my clients have experienced soft tissue injuries following their accident. But what is a soft tissue injury? Briefly stated - for I am most definitely not a doctor - soft tissue injuries include injuries to the soft tissue areas of the body that include the epithelial, muscular, nervous, and connective tissues. Soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains, subluxation (misalignment of spinal vertebrae), repetitive stress injury, carpel tunnel syndrome, etc. These injuries can cause the body great pain and disability. In my personal injury practice, many of my clients who have been involved in motor vehicle accidents, as well as other accidents, usually experience the pain and discomfort of soft tissue injuries.
Do you remember the infamous Presidents Cup of 2005? Those close ups of Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk wincing in pain with every big swing because they both had back injuries. And one image in particular of Furyk lying face down on the fairway while a therapist worked to loosen his back. Neither golfer succumbed to the pain, and the U.S. won the week. But that tournament is a reminder to those who golf what a fragile thing your back is.
One of the major solutions that have evolved to treat carpal tunnel syndrome and other such injuries caused by constant workplace repetition is ergonomics, and ergonomic products. These two things are combinations of exercises, stretches and specialized equipment that help to prevent, and lessen the pain of, severe injuries, the most commonly known of which is carpal tunnel syndrome. This article is an overview of some of the products, and possibilities, that are opened to create a more successful business, one that incorporates a healthier work environment for its workers.
The Economic Burden of Workplace Injuries: According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, every year workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths cost our nation $170 billion (1). There are direct costs and indirect costs associated with all workplace injuries. Direct costs are those payments made to the employee and medical care providers. Indirect costs refer to the costs associated with lost productivity, training, administrative time, reduced product quality, overhead costs, legal fees and increased insurance premiums. In 2001, the economic burden to our nation from over-exertion injuries or injuries caused by excessive pushing, pulling, lifting, holding or carrying resulted in $9.8 billion in direct costs, repetitive motion injuries totaled $2.3 billion in direct costs, and the indirect costs associated with these ergonomic injuries accounted for $39 billion (2). |