Are your employees practicing the right office ergonomics? If they are not sitting up straight and getting around each day, it could lead to painful back problems and other muscle aches. The same thing can happen to employees that are lifting heavy things and throw their back out or start having back spasms.
A back spasm is not a twitch. It is a contraction of a muscle in an abnormal way. It can happen suddenly and at infrequent times. Some may think that this is a normal part of life when in fact it may lead to other complications like paralysis or even death. A back spasm can be a very painful thing especially if it occurs near the nerve roots or spinal cord. The muscle may bulge out and may be seen through the skin. It usually relaxes on its own, lasting anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.
Employers will need to know what type of risks they are putting their employees at because the jobs they provide might be directly responsible for the back spasms and pain. Having the right type of insurance is necessary to pay for accidents. Workers Compensation Insurance is just one of the things you will need to have. There is also liability insurance that is used to pay for the accidents as well.
Prevention is the key when it comes to serious back pain problems. Some of the common causes of back spasms include the following:
- A back spasm often involves a muscle that has been over used and has been overstretched in a prolonged position for an extended period of time. The muscle is tired. This often occurs when a new activity is done that the muscles aren’t used to such as snow shoveling.
- It can also occur when a person stays in the same position for an extended period of time such as sitting on a piano bench and playing the piano.
- It can occur when a heavy object is carried improperly and bones and muscles are moved out of place.
- It is also commonly thought that dehydration will lead to a muscle spasm because the electrolytes have depleted from the body.
- Poor posture can also lead to pain in the lower back.
- Mental stress can also trigger spasms,
- Side effect from some medication on rare occasion
It is hard to know all of the details for your employee’s health so you can only really work on making sure they are following company protocol when it comes to the way that they perform their job duties. Lifting heavy equipment in the right way is one of the basic things that need to be done. Here are some other prevention tips to follow:
- Do not sit for long periods of time
- Lift heavy objects properly
- When sitting, keep both feet on the floor
- Use good posture when sitting and standing
- Exercise regularly to build strong muscles
- Drink plenty of fluids when involved in strenuous activities
- Make a habit of stretching or walking around after sitting for extended period of time
Signs can be used to help remind employees to practice the right habits for their backs! You can also educate them on ways to find relief if they have injured themselves:
- Heat wraps are often very helpful in relieving pain. You can apply a heat pack or use one that will wrap around the body and can be worn under the clothing.
- A chiropractor is often helpful in relieving pain, especially if the back spasm is caused by out of alignment muscles and bones.
