WorkSpace Week 21–27 OCTOBER 2024Combatting Workplace Injuries for a Healthier Workforce

It’s WorkSpace Week - that time of year when we at Health Shack turn our spinal health and wellbeing focus towards preventing workspace injuries and minimising the impact work-related disorders have on our patients to ensure they can work well everywhere.

An initiative of the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA), WorkSpace Week is dedicated to minimising work-related disorders which can have a long-term, debilitating effect on physical and mental health and impacts workers’ overall quality of life. 

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the leading Work Health and Safety issue in Australia. Those most at risk include community and personal service workers such as healthcare, aged care, childcare, NDIS and disability service workers; while machinery operators, drivers, labourers, technicians and tradies are also among those with the highest rates of physical work-related injuries.

These disorders can include a range of muscle and joint problems that occur anywhere in the body, especially in the spine. When these problems impact your nerves, they may alter body function and create health issues, such as numbness, tingling, weakness and other problems.

Body stressing caused by poorly executed lifting, pushing, pulling or bending, using computers in non-ergonomic workspaces (in an office or at home), poor posture, driving a vehicle and repetitive strain injuries can all cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders including chronic neck and back pain, shoulder stiffness and headaches that we can effectively treat at Health Shack.

Mental stress in the workplace can also impact workers physically and, if left unchecked, can trigger these disorders, including tension and cervicogenic (neck related) headaches that affect workers’ concentration, productivity, social engagement and overall wellbeing and quality of life. The good news is that work-related disorders caused by physical or mental stress can be minimised and respond to treatment if diagnosed early. For those at risk of these disorders, it’s important they consult a chiropractor because early intervention is the best protection.

Our qualified team can advise you on the steps to take to help prevent work-related back and neck injuries; how to set up an ergonomic workspace, how to effectively manage stress, improve posture, provide exercises to improve spinal health and stabilise core muscle groups, and provide guidance on rest and maintaining a healthy diet to promote overall health and wellbeing.

However, should work-related disorders occur, by seeking early effective chiropractic healthcare, we can provide effective treatment and help prevent deterioration, improve recovery, reduce severity and help minimise long-term implications including reliance on medications for chronic pain.

To promote the need for all Australians to work well everywhere, during WorkSpace Week we are inviting patients to hold a #StraightenUpAustralia exercise challenge in their workspace by using the Straighten Up app and then share a video or image across social networks of their exercise activity promoting #MyHealthyWorkspace.

Your #StraightenUpAustralia exercise challenge will help increase awareness of preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders and improve the overall spinal health and wellbeing of work colleagues. As well as helping prevent injuries, it can foster a highly positive team environment, so make it fun, be energetic, get creative and be part of #StraightenUpAustralia during National WorkSpace Week.

This WorkSpace Week, contact us to make an appointment. We can help prevent or effectively treat your work-related musculoskeletal disorder so you can work well everywhere.

For more information on WorkSpace Week or to access free resources including an Ergonomic WorkSpace Week Checklist, exercise posters, factsheets and the Straighten Up app, please visit www.workspaceweek.org.au.

#WorkSpaceWeek  #MyHealthyWorkSpace  #WorkWellEverywhere #StraightenUpAustralia  #ConsultAChiro  #SafeWorkMonth