Tradies: Common spinal stressors

Regular spinal checks are commonly used by lots of physical workers, not just as a means to keep aches, pains and stiffness at bay, but also to ensure they protect their body from deteriorating. In this blog we explore the common stressors associated with the trades, how they present and how The Chiro identify and manage them.

The most common spinal stressors on Tradies:

Unilateral stress:

This can be described as one-sided stress on the body due to an activity or job, that can lead to pain, stiffness or postural imbalances. Examples include painting or carrying sheets of Gib by yourself. Pain can arise due to acute (single-event) or repetitive (RSI) stress. Recommendations to manage this type of stress may include bilaterality (or using both sides of the body), exercises and stretches to manage these imbalances and anti-inflammatory recommendations (such as ice).

Repetitive strain: 

This is commonly referred to as over-use (for an extended time) of one or more muscle groups, tendons, ligaments, nerves or joints. Examples include jobs like sanding, plastering and painting. You don’t need lots of weight or heavy tools to cause the pain or dysfunction associated with repetitive strain injuries (RSI). When managing this stress, your chiropractor would typically look at your work-environment and your relationship to it, to help minimise the stress on your spine. Rest, ice, stretches and bilaterality (where possible) is also typically recommended. 

Acute stress: 

This is considered more of a single event injury with the two most likely causes being improper lifting/carrying technique or the load being lifted/carried being too heavy. The pain is usually sharp and would be severe enough for most tradies to stop what they are doing and see a health professional to manage this. Examples include lifting, pulling or moving work gear. Rehabilitation care and specific advice such as rest, ice, stretches is sometimes recommended. Once the rehabilitation is in full swing, we encourage the patient to minimize exposure to this type of stress as much as possible and also give advice around strengthening the spine and the muscle around the spine to best avoid this from occurring again. 

Positional stress: 

This can be referred to as a form of repetitive strain, but this is more likely due to prolonged and improper body positions. Examples include painting overhead or installing a power plug hunched over, both causing pain in the neck and shoulders. Understanding your work environment and the effects it has on our spinal column is important. Your chiropractor will work with you to make small changes to your work environment (where possible) to avoid this stress as best as possible.

 Stay tuned for our upcoming blogs that will show you how to identify these stressors and how our team at The Chiro can help! 

Where do I start? If this is the question you are asking yourself, then this is what you need to do: Book your New Patient Consultation with us at https://thechiro.co.nz/book-now. You can book via phone, email or online.