Many adults think that an achy back is normal. This isn’t the case. Pain in your back at work can be a signal that something is amiss. Unfortunately, some people don’t realize that there is a problem until it is so far advanced that it takes considerable medical care to correct the situation. Sometimes, the problem can’t be corrected.
For workers who suffer from lower back pain, there may be need to file for workers’ compensation benefits. This is the case if the pain is from a work-related condition. Workers’ compensation can help if you need medical care, but also if you must miss work and need partial wage replacement benefits.
Common causes of missed work
Lower back pain is one of the most common causes of missed work in adults. This problem impacts men and women equally and nobody is immune to the possibility of a hurt back.
In many cases, a backache in the lumbar region is the result of overuse or strain. This can sometimes be alleviated by stretching and using proper lifting techniques at work. Even maintaining proper posture can help to prevent a lower backache.
3 types of lower back pain
Back pain is categorized into three types, based on the longevity of the problem. The least serious is short-term or acute, which means that it lasts only a few days up to a few weeks. The middle grade of back pain is subacute pain, which lasts from four to 12 weeks. The worst type of back pain is chronic, which lasts longer than 12 weeks.
It is possible that back pain can move up through these categories. One estimate notes that 20 percent of people who have acute back pain will suffer from chronic back pain at the one year mark.
Treatments are sometimes effective
There are many treatments for lower back pain. These include therapy, medication, surgical and alternative medicine options. The available treatments can be very effective in helping to alleviate pain, but they depend on the doctor deducing the correct cause of the issue. There is a chance that treatments options won’t help and you will be subjected to a lifetime of back problems.
In all of these cases, workers’ compensation might be beneficial. Make sure that you explore this option. Whether you have cumulative trauma causing the injury or if it was caused by a single accident, you might be eligible for benefits.