Preventing Injuries in Manual Labor

Let me tell you about Dave. Dave is a carpenter who’s been working with wood longer than most of us have been walking on it. His hands are calloused, his back is sturdy, and his toolkit is always within arm’s reach. But, like many manual labor workers, Dave's body has taken a beating over the years. One day, while lifting a beam that would make a bodybuilder wince, Dave felt a sharp pain in his back. He brushed it off as just another day on the job, but that pain soon became a constant companion.

Dave’s story isn’t unique. Whether you’re a carpenter, a mechanic, or a construction worker, your body is your greatest tool. Right by our office we have General Motors and the Ultium battery plant where workers are constantly putting their bodies through repetitive, intense physical labor. Just like an other tool you use on the job, your body needs regular maintenance to keep it in top shape. That’s where chiropractic care comes in!

Common Injuries in Manual Labor Jobs

Manual labor workers are the backbone of our community. You build, fix, and maintain everything that makes life comfortable for the rest of us. But in doing so, you’re prone to some pretty common—and pretty painful—injuries:

1. Low Back Pain:  Like our friend Dave, lifting heavy objects or even just the constant bending and twisting can put a strain on your lower back.

2. Shoulder Injuries: From repetitive overhead motions to holding awkward positions for too long, shoulders can take a beating.

3. Knee Pain: Whether it’s from kneeling all day or lugging around heavy materials, your knees often bear the brunt of the work.

4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Repeated hand and wrist movements, like gripping tools all day, can lead to this painful condition.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

So how do we keep guys like Dave—and maybe even you—on the job and feeling good? Chiropractic care isn’t just about cracking backs; it’s about keeping your entire body aligned and working as it should. And Drs. Jeremy and Libby Darnell have made it their mission to do just that. Here’s how chiropractic care at Freedom Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center can help:

1. Aligning the Spine: When your spine is out of whack, it can affect everything from your posture to your pain levels. Regular adjustments can help keep everything in line, reducing pain and improving mobility.

2. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression: For those with serious spinal disc issues, our office offers spinal decompression to relieve pressure on the spine, helping to reduce pain and promote healing—without the need for surgery.

3. Extremity Adjustments: Dr. Jeremy Darnell is a certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, and specializes in treating extremity issues like shoulder pain, knee pain, ankle pain, and wrist issues. He LOVES using cutting edge adjustment techniques on his patients that feel like they've already been adjusted before, and seeing their "ah hah" moment when they experience what chiropractic really can do for extremity injuries. 

4. Class Four Laser Therapy: This therapy uses laser energy to reduce inflammation and promote healing in injured tissues. It’s like giving your body a supercharged boost. From shoulder pain, to plantar fasciitis, laser therapy can help speed up your healing process when you think you've tried everything else.

5. Piezowae Therapy: This treatment uses sound waves to target deep tissues and promote healing. It’s particularly good for those stubborn injuries that just won’t seem to heal. During a piezowave session our therapists use the device to find "hot spots" around your area of injury, and focus on those spots until the pain goes away, usually one minute per spot. These spots may have old scar tissue buildup, muscle adhesions, or chronic inflammation.  It's so effective that only six sessions are typically needed. 

The Real Life Impact

After his injury, Dave finally decided to visit Freedom Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center at the insistence of his wife. She was sick of listening to him complain! Dave was skeptical at first—after all, he’d been toughing it out for years. But after just a few visits, he noticed a difference. His back pain was easing, his mobility was improving, and he was back to doing what he loved—without the constant pain. Now, Dave’s a regular, and he tells anyone who’ll listen that chiropractic care at Freedom Chiropractic is what keeps him on the job.

You don’t have to wait until you’re in pain to come see us. In fact, regular care can help prevent these injuries in the first place. Whether you’re lifting beams or turning wrenches, keeping your body in top shape means you can keep working—and keep doing the job you love.

So, the next time you feel that familiar twinge in your back or stiffness in your shoulder, think of Dave. Take care of your body, and it’ll take care of you. And if you need a little help along the way, Freedom Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center is here to make sure you stay on the job, pain-free.