Professionals who perform the same tasks regularly can damage their bodies. A repetitive strain injury can develop that affects their strength and range of motion. It can diminish how quickly workers perform job tasks. It can even affect their quality of life outside of work.
Many people associate repetitive strain injuries with certain environments. They think of factory workers who perform the same task three times per minute for their entire shift or office workers who constantly type. In reality, almost any professional who regularly performs the same functions could develop a repetitive strain injury.
The human body is not a machine
Professionals cannot mechanically perform the same functions for hours every day, year after year, without harming their bodies. Cumulative trauma is all but inevitable when people have to regularly perform the same tasks on the job.
A cook in a restaurant who must constantly chop produce or roll dough can develop repetitive strain injuries in their hands, forearms and shoulders. A window washer who must constantly reach over their head could injure their upper body. Those who have to lift and twist, such as nurses and physical therapists, might find that they develop injuries in their lower backs, hips or knees.
Professionals may need to seek workers’ compensation benefits to cover their treatment expenses. Disability benefits can provide wage replacement while they rest to recover or can offset their reduced income if they must move to a different job.
Professionals in almost any industry could be at risk of repetitive strain injuries if they do not have varied job tasks and plenty of time to rest throughout their shifts. Pursuing workers’ compensation benefits can be a smart decision for those struggling with a repetitive strain injury.