Most Common Workplace Injuries and How to Prevent Them

When people think of an office job, they seldom know about the health risks that come with a non-physically demanding job. People can exercise, eat right and still fall victim to the after effects of working at an office, which may include physical and mental health risks.

The East Coast is known to be a hotbed for office jobs, many of which render these ailments to office workers. Through years of industrialization and urban development, the East Coast–or, more accurately, cities within the New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware metropolitan areas–is known to be the corporate center of America. Therefore, we see many office health problems concentrated within these areas.

Whether you’re an office technician or corporate lawyer, these health risks can subtly sneak up on you and halt your productivity. However, by understanding the health risks, you’ll be able to prevent them before they begin to affect your work life. Here’s a list of the most common health problems found in office environments.


Sitting

Doctors are now seeing a correlation between the hours you spend sitting at your desk and heart disease and slower metabolisms. To prevent this, many workers are opting to stand while they work, which in turn, burns calories and straightens posture. Some that can’t stand for as many hours may opt for sitting on medicine balls, which helps improve core strength and balance.

Eyestrain

Staring at your computer screen for hours may inflict damage to your eyes. You may feel a pounding in your head, or even a burning sensation in your eyes. Eyestrain like this, however, can be prevented. The Mayo Clinic suggests keeping a light source on the sides of your computer, not the sides, in order to cut down on glare, which can cause migraines. One other way to prevent these after effects is by keeping your monitor 20 to 40 inches from your eyes. Wearing glasses can also be helpful.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you’re a person who types a lot, you may have a higher risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is categorized as a painful sensation due to nerve compression in the fingers and wrists. The symptoms include joint lock, pain and numbness.

Doctors recommend heavy-typers to stretch and bend their wrists and fingers to increase nerve and joint function. Another way to prevent this problem is to keep your keyboard at an elbow height.

Inter-Office Illnesses

The office is a virus and bacteria playground. Most people that fall ill often had contact with someone at work who had the same illness. Prevent the rapid spread of illness and disease by keeping physical contact at a minimum, sanitizing your area and washing your hands regularly. Keep in mind that if you’re sick, you need to stay home. Your co-workers, including your bosses, will thank you!

Back Pain

Sitting can also damage your back muscles and pretty much curve your posture. If you’re feeling the negative effects of sitting for so many hours in your spine, why not add a cushion between your lower back and your chair? This will relieve back tension and improve core strength.

If you have back pain, many employers have chiropractic services included in the company health plan. Some companies also provide a list of chiropractors within a close radius of city where you work in order to make sure you find one that accepts your insurance plan. Explore your options. If you work in Delaware, you could search for a Salisbury chiropractor, which is in close proximity to the Dover metropolitan area. The more metropolitan the search area, the more results you can generate.

The health risks of working in an office environment are very real and can potentially be very harmful. By understanding these health risks and knowing how to prevent them, you’ll make your office job a lot easier to manage.

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