BACK AND OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES

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BACK AND OTHER MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES

• CARE AND PREVENTION

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STATISTICS

• Almost 100 will suffer some musculoskeletal
  problem in their lifetime
• 80 of work-age persons have already experienced
  some back pain or discomfort
• 100 million work days lost annually
• Direct and indirect dollars spent annually is
  over 25 BILLION dollars
• Back injuries second only to respiratory
  infections in lost work time and dollars

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THE SKELETONSBASIC FUNCTIONS

• Provides body support
• Maintain upright position
• Protect spinal cord and other soft tissue
• Allows flexibility to bend and rotate
• Cushion against shock

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CAUSES OF MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURY CAUSES

• Probably no single cause
• Result of years of traumas and stresses
• Eventual twinge or pop is the straw that
  broke the camels back
• Collective causes are poor posture, faulty body
  mechanics, loss of body strength and flexibility,
  and general fitness decay

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GENERAL STRESSERS

• Slouched posture (leads to Kyphosis)
• Improper lifting and carrying
• Repetitive motion
• Poor sleeping, sitting, and standing posture
• Muscle Guarding and Spasms

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ANATOMY OF THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN

• Vertebra - Bones
• Process - Bone extension from vertebra
• Joint - Space between vertebra
• Disc - Cartilage rings or pads
• Ligament - Connective tissue
• Muscle - Create movement
• Tendon - Tie muscles to bones
• Nerve - Control muscle activity

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PHYSIOLOGY OF THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN

• Provides body support and structure
• Absorbs shock
• Enervation path to most all body parts
• No blood flow or enervation to discs
• Discs cannot be repaired or replaced by body
• Pain in extremities may be caused by pinched
  nerve in vertebral column

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Vertebral Column Regions
Cervical (7)
Thoracic (12)
Lumbar (5)
Sacral (5)
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STANDING POSTURE

• Keep your spinal column aligned in its natural
  curves
• To reduce stress on lower back rest one foot at a
  time
• Keep work area at elbow level

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STRETCH OFTEN SHIFT POSITIONS

• Change (shift) your posture often
• Stretch frequently
• Keep your body flexible (not rigid or fixed)
• Dont force your body to conform to its workspace

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PREPARING TO LIFT OR MOVE

• Stretch your muscles and warm up before lifting?
• Wear slip resistant shoes?
• Clear a pathway before you move the item?
• Visualize the move before you start.

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LIFT WITH COMMON SENSE!

• Assess the situation
• Is the load big, bulky, heavy?
• Do you need help?
• Remember, no single technique will work in all
  circumstances

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PUSH-- DONT PULL

• Can You Slide It Instead of Lift It?

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Need Help Or Assistance?

• If needed, get help or assistance before lifting
• Use proper equipment
• - Hand trucks
• - Forklifts
• - Dollies or carts
• Re-adjust the load or your position before you
  lift

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The Safe Lifting Zone

• The safe lifting zone is between the knees and
  shoulders
• Below knee level? Bend with your knees and lift
  with your legs
• Above your shoulders? Use a stool or ladder

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When You Lift ---

• Plant your feet firmly - get a stable base
• Bend the knees- not the waist
• Tighten abdominal muscles to support your spine
• Get a good grip- use both hands
• Place hands on opposite corners for balance

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When You Lift ---

• Keep the load close to your body
• Use your leg muscles as you lift
• Keep your back upright, in its natural posture
• Lift steadily and smoothly without jerking

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When You LiftDo Not!

• Lift while reaching or stretching
• Lift from an uncomfortable posture
• Fight to recover a dropped object
• Lift and twist at the same time

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Lifting And Carrying Problems

• Loss of Body Balance
• Deviating from the backs normal curvature
• Sideward lifting
• Extended arms lifting
• Improper carrying
• Twisting and repetitive motion

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Common Mistakes

• Lifting with back bent forward and legs straight
• Using fast jerky motions
• Lifting and twisting at the same time
• Carrying the load away from the body
• Poor planning and/or communication
• Insufficient strength

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Rules For Lifting

• Plan lifts Remove obstacles
• Test the load weight
• Get assistance when necessary
• Maintain balanced body position
• Whenever possible use large muscles
• Firm stomach muscles when lifting
• Proper hand placement for balance

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Rules For Lifting

• Keep load as close to the body as possible
• Pivot feet instead of twisting back
• Minimize reaching and bending
• Smooth and continuous motions
• Maintain wide stable base throughout lift

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Examples Of Injuries And Maladies

• Herniated or ruptured disc. No such thing as a
  slipped disc
• Osteoarthritis - a wearing away of discs
• Aging and weight lifting causes a flattening of
  discs
• Accidental injury (breaks, sprains, strains,
  etc.)
• Birth defects

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Exercise Program

• Design and carry out exercise protocol to fit
  body needs
• Utilize stretch routine frequently to keep body
  flexible
• Helps prevent injury
• Do not overdo-- follow doctors instruction
  carefully

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Muscle Guarding
Pain
Muscle Inflammation
Muscle Guarding
Muscle Spasm
Restricted Movement
Circulatory Reduction
Metabolite Retention
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Remember!

• Plan your tasks carefully to avoid back pain or
  stress
• Managing your back is your responsibility
• Your work day is one third of your total day
• Relieving musculoskeletal stress away from work
  is just as important

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