If you’ve recently suffered a workplace back injury in Kansas, you know all too well how painful and disruptive to your daily life such an injury can be. Such injuries often create chronic pain conditions that are difficult to overcome. Perhaps, you were lifting something or reaching toward a high shelf when your injury occurred. Maybe you were hit by a motor vehicle or slipped and fell on a wet surface.
No matter what the events were that led to your back injury, it’s important to know where to seek support as you navigate recovery. It’s also important to learn as much as you can about the workers’ compensation program, especially if you plan to file a claim to collect benefits.
Rest and relaxation are critical to back injury recovery
As you recover from a back injury, you might have good days and bad days. When you feel good, you might be tempted to go for a walk or try to resume normal daily activities. You’ll want to proceed with great caution because staying relaxed and getting lots of rest are key factors toward healing from a back injury.
It’s easy to overdo it when you’re tired of being sedentary and want to get back to your daily routine. Lack of relaxation and rest, however, might wind up making you feel worse and causing a setback to your recovery.
Closely monitor your condition
In the days and weeks that follow a workplace accident that resulted in a back injury, you’ll want to pay close attention to how you feel. If a new symptom develops or you’re concerned about lack of healing progress, it’s a good idea to stay connected to your primary care physician or emergency room doctors, as needed. Let them know if you’re not feeling well and make sure they know that your symptoms may be associated with a recent workplace accident.
Your diet plays a role in recovery
There are certain foods that can cause inflammation in the body by elevating levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone that can cause inflammation, especially in areas of your back. The last thing you need while recovering from a back injury is internal inflammation or stress. This is why it’s so important to watch what you eat during recovery. Foods containing high levels of processed sugars and caffeine can exacerbate the problem. It’s also best to avoid alcohol.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help
It’s understandable that you might feel frustrated if you’re unable to be fully independent while you recover from a workplace back injury. However, it’s better to allow others to provide recovery support than to try to do everything yourself and risk making your condition worse.
Many Kansas workers also take time during recovery to reach out for legal support, especially if they encounter obstacles while navigating the workers’ compensation claims process.