How To Prevent Ergonomic Injuries

Ergonomic injuries are injuries caused by ergonomic risks, such as prolonged time spent seated on inadequate furniture or strain put on the eyes by inadequate lighting. While the problem affects many workplaces, it can be avoided and the remedy does not necessarily have to be a significant investment. Here are some tips on how to prevent ergonomic injuries:

• Perform a risk evaluation – ergonomic injuries can be caused by many things, from the layout of the workspace to the furniture in it, to the particles floating around in the air, the temperature, the humidity level. To figure out how to prevent ergonomic injuries, you first of all need to examine the work areas and to identify the health risks involved, so start by asking your employees to share their experiences and their opinions about the required changes and check out the work areas personally;
• Implement the necessary changes – making your premises more ergonomic will require an investment into new equipment, lighting fixtures or furnishing items;
• Develop a risk management program – ongoing monitoring and quick corrective action to address problems is essential for maintaining the ergonomic environment that you have created through the investment into changes that were necessary. If necessary, appoint a person responsible for aspects related to the prevention of ergonomic injuries.

Click here to learn more about an ergonomic evaluation or call our office at (720) 669-8053).

The Effects of Poor Ergonomics in the Workplace

The effects of poor ergonomics in the workplace can have catastrophic consequences for the company and for the employees as well, resulting in increased time spent by employees on sick leave as well as in decreased productivity and a tense, uncomfortable atmosphere.

Here is how an uncomfortable, unhealthy, or not perfectly functional work environment can be damaging:

• Eye strain – poor lighting as well as old, strongly vibrating computer monitors can cause strain to the eyes and even ruin the employee’s eyesight. Eye strain can also cause headaches of various severity;
• Uncomfortable office furniture – office workers spend most of their workdays sitting at their desks. Chairs and desks that do not feature proper, ergonomic design components, such as adjustable seating height and reclinable chair backs, can cause stress and strain to the muscles. The catastrophic effects of poor ergonomics in the workplace can lead to other health issues as well such as tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, injuries to the back, the knees, the shoulders;
• Stress – having to work in an uncomfortable environment is known to add to workplace stress levels that are usually very high already. The effects of such added stress can range from nervousness and insomnia to digestive problems, such as stomach pain and many other issues generally attributed to high-stress levels.

Common Types of Ergonomic Injuries

Poor ergonomics can have various harmful effects on the body. Here are some of the most common afflictions caused by a work environment that is not adequate from the point of view of ergonomics:

• Musculoskeletal afflictions –common types of ergonomic injuries are caused by working in an incorrect posture, spending long periods seated on an unsuitable chair, performing repetitive motion, or by a movement that exerts strain on the body, such as lifting heavy objects. Musculoskeletal problems can affect the body’s muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and bones. The most common forms of manifestation include pain and stiffness in the neck and the back, degenerative disc disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, and pain or tingling in the legs and in the arms;
• Excessive strain for the eyes – working in a poorly illuminated environment, on a computer with an old, vibrating screen can be harmful to the eyes. Eye strain can manifest not only in the form of blurred or poor vision but also as headaches, migraines, or nausea;
• Exposure – the prolonged exposure to dust, chemicals, and vibrations can also cause physical harm, affecting the lungs, the skin, the airways, and the body’s blood vessels and muscles.

 

Some Common Symptoms of a Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers secreted mainly by the endocrine glands, but also produced by adipose tissue and many other parts of the body. Hormones participate in the controlling of all major processes in the body, therefore any imbalance that involves having too much or too little of one or several of these messengers produces symptoms. Here are some of the most common issues caused by hormonal imbalance:

• Unexplained, usually sudden weight loss or weight gain;
• Fatigue;
• Lack of energy, nervousness, anxiety, and depression – these issues can be linked not only to difficult life situations but also to fluctuating hormone levels or a hormonal imbalance;
• Aches, pains, swelling or stiffness of the muscles and the joints – these issues can be caused by the body’s natural aging, but they can also be traced back to a hormonal imbalance;
• Increased or decreased appetite or thirst – both can be attributed to hormonal problems;
• Unusual toilet habits – frequent urination, persistent constipation, and diarrhea can also be caused by hormones;
• Changes that affect the hair and the skin – hair thinning, hair loss, brittle, fragile hair, dry skin, and adult acne can also be attributed to hormonal changes.

If you or someone you love is experiencing the discomfort of hormone imbalance, consult with the medical experts at Downtown’s Healthcare to see if hormone imbalance pellet therapy is the right treatment option for you.

 

The Most Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain is a very common health complaint that can go back to many causes – here are some of the most common ones referenced by a Downtown’s Healthcare professional associated with great Denver chiropractor reviews:

• Poor posture – very few of us have a correct posture these days and any form of incorrect posture can lead to neck pain. When our spine is not correctly aligned, the muscles in our neck contract and get strained, which causes discomfort and pain;
• Injury – a fall, a wrong movement or the strain related to rigorous sporting activities can also cause neck pain;
• Chronic conditions – neck pain can be a symptom of a wide range of chronic illnesses, including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia or spinal stenosis;
• Aging – the vertebrae that make up the spine are separated from each other by discs. As the body ages, these discs might start to lose their flexibility, which allows the vertebrae to touch and to rub against each other. One of the most common areas affected by disc damage is the neck, the most common symptom of the condition being neck pain;
• Hernia – cervical discs can also suffer from the herniation, the condition usually caused by a sudden movement, such as sudden pulling, lifting or twisting, that damages one or multiple discs in the neck area.

The Causes and Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease

The vertebrae that make up the human spine are separated by rubbery discs that enable bending and twisting – when these discs lose their rubbery consistency or get otherwise damaged, the vertebrae start rubbing against each other, causing pain and other symptoms.

One of the most common causes of degenerative disc disease is aging – natural aging affects the discs by decreasing their content of liquid and causing them to dry. Tears to the outer portion of the discs are also very common – the cause is usually an injury sustained by the back, strenuous sporting activities as well as daily activities.

Degenerative disc disease most commonly affects the neck and the lower back. The symptoms include pain that can range for mild to moderate or severe (in extreme cases, the pain associated with the affection might be disabling, causing severe limitations and suffering). The pain might also radiate to the arms, the hands, the buttocks, and the sighs. Other potential symptoms of degenerative disc disease include weakness in the legs or in the arms and pain that either comes and goes or is worsened by spending a long time sitting or bending.

The affection is diagnosed with physical exams and with various imaging techniques, such as CT, MRI, or X-rays. There are various treatment options available, including chiropractic care and physical therapy. However, if left untreated, even the best chiropractor in Denver suggests that the patient may be left with no options but the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs, and surgery.

What Can Cause Hair Loss

Normally, people lose 50-100 hairs per day – an amount that is unnoticeable because new hair grows at the same rate. Hair loss occurs when more than 100 hairs are lost per day or when hair growth is slower than ideal. The issue can be temporary or permanent, caused by hormonal changes, medications, external factors, and many physical conditions. According to recommended stem cell treatment Denver medical providers, here are some of the most common causes of hair loss:

• Stress – excessive stress can be blamed for many health issues, hair loss included. Stress-induced hair loss can look like a severe issue, but it usually stops when stress levels are reduced;
• A recent illness that involved a high fever – prolonged, high body temperature can also cause excessive, but temporary hair loss;
• Hormonal changes – thyroid problems, perimenopause or menopause and the disruption of the balance of major sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone for women or testosterone in men, can cause rapid hair loss as well as gradual hair thinning;
• Medications and treatments – hair loss is a common side effect of many medicines and therapies, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy;
• Hairstyling and hair treatments – very harsh chemicals used on the hair, such as strong hair dyes and hairstyles that involve the tight pulling back of the hair, such as ponytails, can also lead to hair loss.