You have always loved your job, but lately, it’s been difficult. You’ve had more and more back pain building up each day. You’ve had days where you could barely stand or sit. You just want to feel better, but work seems to make you worse.
Some common causes of back pain related to work include:
- Force
- Inactivity
- Repetition
- Poor posture
Here’s an example. If you reach above your head to get down a box but find that it’s far too heavy, you could strain your back. That’s a force injury. Another example might be if you constantly sit and twist at your desk, which could have the potential to lead to a repetition injury.
Even having poor posture or being too inactive can have an impact on your back and spine. That’s why employees are often encouraged to use good posture, ergonomic chairs, desks and keyboards among other helpful tools to reduce strain on the neck and back.
The one thing that may be difficult for you to show is that your pain is directly linked to your job. However, your medical provider can help you rule out factors like aging or a poor diet as causes for your pain. Simple changes in the workplace might help relieve some of the stress on your back, but if that doesn’t help and you continue to struggle, it’s time for medical intervention.
There are many reasons why you may be having pain in your back, but if the reason is linked to work, then you may be able to file for workers’ compensation.