August marks Tradies National Health Month, an important occasion dedicated to raising awareness for the well-being of Australian tradesmen and tradeswomen. The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) introduced this initiative, which has gained significant momentum in recent years, given that tradies now constitute 30% of Australia's workforce1.
While workplaces have made considerable progress in enhancing safety and regulations, there remains a crucial need to prioritise the longevity and wellness of individuals engaged in full-time physical labour. Repetitive stresses can add up and lead to injury, so it is important to be consciously aware of how you position your body performing certain tasks.
Things to consider when working:
- Avoid twisting or turning when lifting heavy objects, making sure to keep the object close to your body to decrease the load on your spine
- Whenever picking something up, bend at the knees and drive up at the heels
- When working in tight spaces and awkward positions, try to maintain the natural curves throughout your back
- Just like at the gym, when performing duties it is important to brace your lower back through activating your abdominal muscles
- Having uneven loads on the work belt overtime can lead to compensatory wearing patterns on the spine
- No matter what the task for the day, make sure you’re taking micro breaks to stretch and avoid static postures for prolonged periods of time
Chiropractors possess a distinct advantage in preventing and addressing musculoskeletal issues. Through targeted adjustments, we can alleviate symptoms by releasing restricted joints, offering personalised work advice, and creating custom exercises to enhance your overall mobility. If you're experiencing pain or restrictions impacting your work, or have suffered a workplace injury, chiropractic care can significantly reduce pain, get you back to work faster, and prevent similar problems in the future2.
Call Chiropractic Works today on (07) 4031 3388 to see how chiropractic may be able to help you.
References
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Tradies make 60% of serious injury claims in Australia. Worksafe News Website. Workplace Injury. Available at: https://www.worksafenews.com.au/workplace-injury/tradies-make-60-of-serious-injury-claims-in-australia/#:~:text=Tradies%20constitute%2030%25%20of%20the,especially%20in%20the%20construction%20industry.
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About chiropractic. Australian Chiropractic Association Website. About Chiropractic FAQs. Available at: https://www.chiro.org.au/about-chiropractic/faq/#chiro-help
