Workplace injuries are common in California and across the United States, particularly in industries such as public safety, manufacturing and agriculture. Injuries can range from minor slips and falls that only require workers to miss one or two days to badly broken bones and head trauma that can require workers to take a significant amount of time off. Seeking physical therapy is one thing that workers can do to help themselves feel better.
Here are some reasons to see a physical therapist after an injury in a California workplace.
To regain mobility
The kinds of jobs that have the highest rates of injuries are generally jobs that require physical labor. Therefore, workers want to be able to regain their full mobility as quickly as they can and to the fullest extent possible. Physical therapists help patients through exercise and stretching routines that help them achieve a full range of motion more safely than they would by working out on their own.
To avoid further injury
Sometimes, workplace injuries occur because an employee performed a job duty with bad technique, for example, by bending down incorrectly while lifting heavy equipment. Physical therapists can teach people how to move in such a way to help prevent injuries in the future as well as to keep from aggravating their current sprain or fracture.
Injured workers should have as many options as possible when it comes to seeking health care. The more people know about physical therapy, the better they can assess whether or not that is a proper avenue of care.