Back Pain and Your Job: Construction Work Edition

Construction work is another of the professions most affected by back pain

Lifting and bending over account for a large percentage of common back injuries, from muscle sprain to herniated discs. Almost every job in the construction industry requires some kind of lifting. And there is a triple-headed problem that exists here:

  1. Often the loads present no clear way to lift in a manner conducive to your back’s health 
  2. The loads are too heavy: no one worker should lift over 51 pounds at a time
  3. We have forgotten proper body mechanics regarding lifting and bending

Most construction workers reading this will agree that they regularly lift more than 51 pounds at a time by themselves. Because lifting is one of the most harmful motions for our back, it is always good to keep your spine’s health in mind while on-site. 

Prevention of back pain for construction workers

Prevention of back pain begins before the job starts: every construction worker should stretch before a day that will involve even a mild demand of lifting. Having cold muscles when you go to lift is one of the surest ways to injure yourself. Make sure you give yourself at least 5 minutes of stretching time before each day. Furthermore:

  • Use a support belt to lend stability to your core, restrict excessive motion and prevent injury. 
  •  Focus on core strength: your back is one of your greatest and most fragile assets on the job. It behooves you to spend time at home or in the gym strengthening and stretching the core stabilizing muscles. 
  • Limit the loads you are lifting as much as possible and ask for a helping hand when possible.

We take the health of construction workers’ spines seriously. If you need help rehabilitating injuries sustained on the job, or to prevent them from happening in the first place, give our office a call to schedule an appointment today. 

Why does Decompression Feel so Good?

Your spine is always under pressure 

Our spines are constantly under pressure: from the force of gravity to the added compression we do to ourselves with things like poor posture, there is rarely a second when your spine gets a break. Unless you plan to live in space (which comes with its own set of problems), or become fully aquatic, there is little we can do to escape the pressures of gravity. 


Instead of fleeing the problem, let’s face it head-on! 

Symptoms of compression injuries range from mild to severe. The most common compression related conditions that we treat include:

  • Back pain
  • Nerve pressure
  • Herniated disc
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Rehabilitation of fractured vertebrae
  • Sciatica
  • Government Pressure (jk)

The fact that pressure is constantly accumulating indicates why decompression therapy is so effective; and why it feels so good. At our office, we have a range of modalities for treating compression injuries.

  • Spinal adjustment relieves pain by restoring mobility to spinal motion segments and relieving pressure from the nearby nerves. 
  • Mechanical traction utilizes a specialized table to stretch the spine while we provide gentle, targeted adjustment to the spinal joints. This has the effect of opening up the space between the vertebrae, allowing for rehydration of the intravertebral discs and creating a negative pressure space in which bulging disc material can retract. 
  • Manual traction applies a distraction force to the spine in order to alleviate pain and compression

Relieving pressure has never felt so good 

The goal of decompression therapy is to help you experience less pain, allowing you to move more and thus strengthen the muscles that matter for supporting the spine. If you are interested in using decompression therapy for your back pain, give our office a call to schedule an appointment today. 

Health Resources

The following resources have been assembled to provide you with more chiropractic wellness care information available on the internet.

Chiropractic Directory

www.Chiropractor-Pages.com

Chiropractic Organizations

www.Chiropractic.org 
www.ChiropracticIsSafe.org 
www.ChiropracticResearchReview.com 
www.WorldChiropracticAlliance.com

 

Wellness Coaching

www.DiscoverWellnessCoaching.com

Wellness for Kids

www.BAM.gov 
www.ICPA4kids.org 
www.JWTumbles.com 
www.KidsHealth.org 
www.My-Gym.com 
www.NutritionExplorations.org/kids/

Exercise and Nutrition

www.BodyForLife.com 
www.CompassionateCooks.com 
www.CorePerformance.com 
www.Ediets.com 
www.FoodRevolution.org 
www.IFIC.org  
www.SparkPeople.com 
www.TruthPublishing.com 
www.WestonAPrice.org 
www.WHFoods.org 
www.WholeHealthMD.com

Fitness Centers

www.24HourFitness.com 
www.BallyFitness.com 
www.Curves.com 
www.FrogsFit.com 
www.GoldsGym.com

Thought and Meditation

www.Chopra.com 
www.DrWayneDyer.com 
www.KenWilber.com 
www.TM.org

Life Coach

www.FindACoach.com
www.TheIACC.com 
www.CoachFederation.org

Acupuncture

www.AcuFinder.com

Dentist

www.1800Dentist.com

Homeopath

www.homeopathic.org

Naturopath

www.aanmc.org

Optometrist

www.allaboutvision.com

Pilates

www.pilates.com 
www.thepilatescenter.com 
www.pilates-studio.com 
www.powerpilates.com

Yoga

www.yogajournal.com

Why Do Children Need Chiropractic?

Dr.Claudia Anrig

Description:

In this video, Dr. Anrig explains the preventative and wellness benefits children receive from chiropractic care. She explains how chiropractic can have a life-long benefit.

Background:

Dr. Claudia Anrig has been a practicing chiropractor in Fresno, California for over 20 years. She is co-founder of Peter Pan Potential, the first comprehensive pediatric program for the Chiropractic profession. She is the past president of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association www.icpa4kids.com. Dr. Anrig is a noted lecturer in the area of pediatric chiropractic. She has recently edited the textbook, Pediatric Chiropractic. This textbook is the fastest selling book in the history of the chiropractic profession.

What Is A Chiropractic Lifestyle?

Description:
Dr. Handt looks at chiropractic from the point of view of a lifestyle. He explains how over time chiropractic can improve and optimize your quality of life and affect many areas of your well-being.

Background:
Dr. Handt is a practicing doctor of chiropractic and is involved in his community. He provides on-going health workshops, participates in City Harvest food drives and the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program to help the needy. He is on the Board of Directors and is a speaker for New Beginnings For A New Future, a guest speaker for the New York Chiropractic Council, the International Chiropractors Association, and developer of Inner Winners Seminars.

How Can The Birth Process Affect A Baby’s Spine?

Description:
In this video, Dr. Ohm describes how the birth process can be very traumatic to an infant’s spine. She explains the need to have a newborn’s spine checked by a chiropractor to look for problems related to the birth process

Background:
Dr. Jeanne Ohm is a practicing chiropractor and is an international authority on “Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy and Infancy,” a topic on which she gives lectures in both public and professional forums. She is a board member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, the Children’s Chiropractic Research Foundation, as well as the Foundation For Health Choice, and the Healthy Child. She is executive coordinator for the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), and editor of the ICPA’s bimonthly newsletter.

Do Pregnant Women Need Chiropractic Care?

Description:
Dr. Ohm discusses why chiropractic is important for pregnant women. She explains how chiropractic care can make the birth process easier and healthier for both the mother and newborn.

Background:
Dr. Jeanne Ohm is a practicing chiropractor and is an international authority on “Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy and Infancy,” a topic on which she gives lectures in both public and professional forums. She is a board member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, the Children’s Chiropractic Research Foundation, as well as the Foundation For Health Choice, and the Healthy Child. She is executive coordinator for the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), and editor of the ICPA’s bimonthly newsletter.

Is Chiropractic Important As I Grow Older?

Background:
Dr. Plasker explains the importance of chiropractic in an aging population. He notes how a healthy spine can have profound benefits as we grow older.

Background:
Dr. Eric Plasker is a chiropractor and profession-wide speaker. He is the founder of “The Family Practice” programs and is the creator and designer of the patient education programs: Chiropractic Mother’s Morning Out, and the Human Potential Program.

Do Families Need Chiropractic Care?

Description:
Dr. Plasker explains why families should get a chiropractic check-up, and how regular chiropractic care can benefit your entire family’s health.

Background:
Dr. Eric Plasker is a chiropractor and profession-wide speaker. He is the founder of “The Family Practice” programs and is the creator and designer of the patient education programs: Chiropractic Mother’s Morning Out, and the Human Potential Program.