prevention and management of neck and back injuries james grubinskas dc, ceas chiropractor
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Prevention and Management of Neck and Back Injuries James Grubinskas DC, CEAS Chiropractor Alliance Occupational Medicine. Understand proper posture to prevent neck & back injuries Understand the types of neck & back injuries Understand risk factors associated with neck & back injuries - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Prevention and Prevention and Management of Management of
Neck and Back InjuriesNeck and Back InjuriesJames Grubinskas DC, CEASJames Grubinskas DC, CEAS
ChiropractorChiropractorAlliance Occupational MedicineAlliance Occupational Medicine
Understand proper posture to prevent neck & back injuries
Understand the types of neck & back injuries Understand risk factors associated with neck &
back injuries Understand the common causes of neck & back
injuries Identify ways to prevent neck & back injuries Identify what to do in the event your neck or
back is injured
ObjectivesObjectives
Financial impact of occupational injury and illness in the US is $250 Billion (2007) affecting 3.8 million injured workers
Back injuries account for 1 out of 5 workplace injuries or illnesses (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
186 million work days are lost each year to back pain alone.
StatisticsStatistics
37.5% of adults are currently obese
CA. WC Institute claims with obesity as a comorbity vs. those without had the following characteristics:- more claims lost time from work (83% vs. 29%)- increased lost work days (approx. 80% greater)- more frequent attorney involvement (approx. 68% vs.
15%)- greater use of opiods (approx. 69% vs. 19%)- higher medical cost claims ($51K vs. $7503) and
indemnity costs ($59K vs. $5400)
Impact of Obesity on Impact of Obesity on Musculoskeletal Disorders and Musculoskeletal Disorders and WC CostsWC Costs
- Age- Gender- Genetic Predisposition- Smoking- Weight- Prior Injuries- Hobbies- Medical Conditions (diabetes, RA,
thyroid disease, heart disease, liver, kidney disfunction)
Non Work Combined Non Work Combined Medical ConditionsMedical Conditions
Neck PainNeck Pain
Neck muscle pain can be caused by the following neck muscles
becoming tight.• Scalene muscles (three pairs of muscles that help rotate
the neck) • Suboccipital muscles (four pairs of muscles used to rotate
the head) • Pectoralis minor muscles (a pair of thin triangular muscles
at the upper part of the chest) • Subscapularis muscles (a pair of large triangular muscles
near each shoulder joint) • Levator scapulae muscles (a pair of muscles located at the
back and side of the neck).
If alignment of head and spine is not optimal, the neck can bepredisposed to injury and/or the degenerative effects of wear
and tear over time.
Top 3 Bad Postures That Top 3 Bad Postures That Can Cause Neck PainCan Cause Neck Pain
1) Hunchback
2) Rounded Shoulder
3)Forward Head
Bad Posture #1 - Bad Posture #1 - HunchbackHunchback
Cause: Sitting for long hours with bad posture. For instance, sitting hunched over a computer screen.
Pain: Neck, shoulder, and back.
Problem: The bad sitting posture causes the chest muscles to tighten leading to an excessively curved back in the upper back or thoracic region. The muscles of the upper back loosen and eventually weaken.
Recommendation: The following exercises are very effective:
Bad Posture #2 – Rounded Bad Posture #2 – Rounded ShoulderShoulder
Cause: Sitting with a bad posture while typing, or imbalanced exercise regime involving excessive chest pressing.
Pain: Neck, shoulder, back
Problem: Sitting in that position results in the chest muscles tightening, causing the shoulders to rotate forward internally. The muscles of the upper back weaken and loosen.
Recommendation: Stretching to relax the tight chest muscles
Bad Posture #3 - Forward Head Bad Posture #3 - Forward Head
Cause: Sitting hunched over in an office chair for long hours, staring at a computer.
Pain: Neck
Problem: Tightness of the muscles of the back of the neck, along with the muscles of the upper back (levator and upper trapezius).
Recommendation: Stretches to loosen tight muscles in the back of the neck:
Poor Posture
Poor PosturePoor Posture
Correct PostureCorrect Posture
BackBack
AnatomyAnatomy
Vertebrae (Bones) Spinal Discs Muscles and
Tendons Ligaments Spinal Cord Nerve Roots
VertebraeVertebrae
StackedStacked
InterlockingInterlocking
Flexibility – flexion/ Flexibility – flexion/ extension/ rotation/ extension/ rotation/ lateral bendinglateral bending
Protect spinal cordProtect spinal cord
Center of gravity located Center of gravity located in front of the sacrumin front of the sacrum
Spinal DiscsSpinal Discs
Cushioning – “Shock Absorber”Cushioning – “Shock Absorber” Like a jelly donutLike a jelly donut Disc anatomyDisc anatomy
- - Tough outer coveringTough outer covering- Soft gelatinous center- Soft gelatinous center
- No blood supply- No blood supply- Few nerve endings- Few nerve endings- Helps the spine be flexible- Helps the spine be flexible
Mostly water that dehydrates with Mostly water that dehydrates with ageage
Can deteriorate, protrude, Can deteriorate, protrude, herniateherniate
Types of Back InjuriesTypes of Back Injuries
Strain and FatigueStrain and Fatigue Nerve InjuryNerve Injury Fractured VertebraeFractured Vertebrae Tears in DisksTears in Disks Disc Fractures and Disc Fractures and RupturesRuptures
Risk Risk FactorsFactors
Posture Force Repetition Stress Other Factors-Physical Fitness,
Aging, Diet, Smoking.
Posture
What posture are you exhibiting?
Causes of Back Causes of Back InjuriesInjuries
Improper lifting techniques (95%)
Overexertion Work Area Conditions
- Path of travel- Arrangement of work area
Risky MovesRisky Moves
Certain actions are more likely to cause back injuries than others. Certain actions are more likely to cause back injuries than others. If youIf you
are doing these things think: are doing these things think: DANGER! I’m at Risk!DANGER! I’m at Risk! Heavy LiftingHeavy Lifting Repetitive LiftingRepetitive Lifting Twisting at the WaistTwisting at the Waist Reaching and Lifting OverheadReaching and Lifting Overhead Lifting Objects with Unusual or Awkward ShapesLifting Objects with Unusual or Awkward Shapes Working in Awkward Uncomfortable PositionsWorking in Awkward Uncomfortable Positions Standing or Sitting for Long PeriodsStanding or Sitting for Long Periods
Lifting HazardsLifting Hazards
Safe Lifting ZoneSafe Lifting Zone
Lifting items between the hips and shoulders is the safest
The further from the lift zone, the riskier the lift
Safe Lifting ZonesSafe Lifting Zones
Your waist acts like the fulcrum in a lever system Your lifting ration is about 10:1. Lifting a 10lb object
puts 100 lbs of stress on your lower back Add in the 106lbs of the average human upper torso,
lifting a 10lb object actually puts 1,150 lbs of pressure on your lower back!
It is easy to see how repetitive lifting and bending can lead to back problems
Even leaning forward while sitting at a desk can eventually lead to back injuries.
Lifting RatioLifting Ratio
Correct LiftingCorrect Lifting
Keep your lumbar spine in ”neutral.” To find your Keep your lumbar spine in ”neutral.” To find your lumbar lumbar neutral arch and bow your back to neutral arch and bow your back to the maximum in each the maximum in each direction. Mid-range is your direction. Mid-range is your lumbar neutrallumbar neutral
Engage your abdominal musclesEngage your abdominal muscles
Use your legs/thigh muscles to liftUse your legs/thigh muscles to lift
Hold the load as close as you can to your center of Hold the load as close as you can to your center of gravity. gravity. This decreases the stress on your This decreases the stress on your backback
Always remember DO NOT lift heavy loads higher Always remember DO NOT lift heavy loads higher than waist-than waist- height and lighter ones higher than chest height and lighter ones higher than chest heightheight
Proper Lifting Proper Lifting TechniqueTechnique
Plan Lift, Then Lift Get Close
Tighten Abdominals
Lift with your legs
Hold Close
Turn by stepping
Always be aware of your technique - Poor body mechanics e.g.
stooping, repetitive bending
- Prolonged activity e.g. sitting or
standing - Fatigue (take a small break) - Heavy loads (use
tools/machines when possible) Adjust workplace to the worker Do not adjust worker to the
workplace
PreventionPrevention
Any Questions?Any Questions?
James Grubinskas, DC., CEASJames Grubinskas, DC., CEAS
Alliance Occupational MedicineAlliance Occupational Medicine
315 South Abbott Ave., Milpitas315 South Abbott Ave., Milpitas
2737 Walsh Ave., Santa Clara2737 Walsh Ave., Santa Clara
1901 Monterey Rd. Ste., San 1901 Monterey Rd. Ste., San JoseJose
Thank You!Thank You!