Health

Back Pain Prevention in Construction: 10 Tips for Success

Published

1 year ago

March 31, 2023

If you work in the construction industry or a related field, you’re especially vulnerable to back pain and complicated lower back issues. The good news is, most back injuries and pain are preventable with the right habits and strategies.

What are the most important steps to take?

Why Back Injuries Are So Important to Prevent

First, let’s address why back injuries are so important to prevent. Back injuries are among the most common injuries on construction job-sites, and they can be devastating to a person’s physical health and sense of wellbeing. After a single back injury, a person can struggle with back pain for the rest of their lives – and interfere with their ability to work in the future.

Because of this, and because back injuries can also be difficult to treat, back injuries are disproportionately expensive for construction companies and insurance companies.

Also, most back injuries can be prevented with simple policies and procedures – so there are few, if any costs associated with back injury and back pain prevention.

Tips for Back Pain Prevention

If you’re an employee in the construction industry, you should follow these tips for back pain prevention. If you’re an employer in the construction industry, you should ensure that all of your employees follow these tips.

Avoid lifting whenever possible. Back injuries are most commonly attributable to lifting something that’s too heavy, or lifting something the wrong way. Accordingly, you can prevent many back injuries by avoiding the lifting action altogether. Is there an alternative way you can move heavy items? Is there a way to avoid this work entirely?
Store materials at a convenient height. If and when you do need to move things, store those materials at a convenient, accessible height. Ideally, these items will be available at or above waist height, making it easier and more intuitive for employees to lift these items properly.
Lift with your legs. “Lift with your legs” is a common instruction, and an essential one to follow. But what does that really mean? Basically, it means bending your legs and using your legs as a main source of force when attempting to pick something up; the alternative, bending over and rounding your back, can set you up for a herniated disc or a similar injury.
Avoid twisting your spine. Similarly, you should avoid twisting your spine when lifting or carrying something, as this can render you prone to injury as well. Also, when carrying something, keep it close to the center of your body.
Utilize extra equipment. Carts, dollies, forklifts, and hoists are just a few of the tools and resources that can assist you in lifting and moving things. Utilize these pieces of equipment whenever you have the opportunity.
Use proper posture when sitting or standing. Even if you’re not exerting yourself, sitting or standing with poor posture can increase your risk of a back injury. Keep your spine straight and your shoulders back at all times.
Use major muscle groups to lift. When lifting things, try to engage your biggest muscle groups, rather than relying on areas of your body with limited to no muscle mass. For example, the latissimus dorsi (lat) muscles in your upper back that help you extend and rotate your arms are typically bigger, stronger, and more resilient than the smaller, thinner muscles in your lower back.
Get help. Instead of lifting something heavy by yourself, consider getting help. There’s no shame in team lifting something if it means both people are less likely to suffer a back injury.
Take breaks (and rotate crew members). Don’t lift more frequently than necessary. If you’ve been lifting and carrying things to the point of being fatigued, take a break and consider rotating out with another team member. Share responsibilities associated with back injuries with the rest of the team.
Rest and recover when necessary. If you do experience a back injury or suffer from any back pain, take the time to rest and recover. If you push yourself too far when you’re already injured, you could end up making your injury much worse. Get the medical help you need and refrain from engaging in heavy lifting responsibilities until you’re 100 percent better.

Bonus Tip: Hold Others Accountable

Here’s one more important tip for you: hold other people accountable to following these standards. There’s much you can do to prevent injuries in your own approach to work, but part of maintaining a safe job-site is helping other people stay safe as well. Don’t be afraid to call someone out and educate them when you notice them lifting something incorrectly.

Simple, inexpensive, proactive efforts are usually more than enough to prevent back injuries. Don’t let lax standards at your construction job-site harm your best workers.

Health

How Circuhealth Clinic’s Treatment Will Benefit You: A Comprehensive Guide

Published

2 weeks ago

July 15, 2024

Michelle Langton

Maintaining optimal health can be challenging in the modern world. Busy lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and the stress of daily life can all contribute to a decline in our overall well-being. Circuhealth Clinic Clinic, led by the renowned Nadia Nassif, offers a holistic approach to health by improving circulatory health through various advanced, non-invasive treatments.

The Importance of Circulatory Health

Circulatory health is fundamental to overall wellness. The circulatory system is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the body and removing waste products. When this system is compromised, it can lead to a host of health issues, including chronic fatigue, poor skin health, and even cardiovascular diseases. Improving circulation can enhance energy levels, support organ function, and promote overall vitality.

Personalized Exercise Programs

One of the cornerstones of Circuhealth Clinic’s approach is the creation of personalized exercise programs. These programs are not one-size-fits-all; instead, they are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Personalized exercise programs can significantly enhance circulatory health by boosting blood flow, which delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to tissues and organs.

For instance, regular physical activity strengthens the heart, improves circulation, and helps regulate weight. A tailored exercise program can reduce the risk of injuries, increase motivation by aligning with specific fitness goals, and provide consistent progress tracking for optimal results. This personalized attention ensures that you are not only getting fitter but also healthier in the most efficient way possible.

Detoxification Treatments

Detoxification treatments are another vital aspect of Circuhealth Clinic’s offerings. These treatments are designed to remove toxins that impair circulation, thus enhancing overall health. Circuhealth Clinic detoxification protocols include Hydration Therapy, Detox Diets, Herbal Supplements, and antioxidant consumption.

Hydration Therapy: Drinking plenty of water and hydrating fluids helps flush out toxins, promoting better circulation.
Detox Diets: Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while avoiding processed foods and sugars, supports the body’s natural detoxification processes.
Herbal Supplements: Using herbs like milk thistle, dandelion root, and burdock root, known for their detoxifying properties, supports liver function and toxin elimination.

By incorporating these detoxification treatments, Circuhealth Clinic helps to ensure that your body is free from harmful toxins, thus improving circulatory health and overall well-being.

Stress Reduction Techniques

Stress can significantly impact circulatory health. High-stress levels increase cortisol production, leading to various health issues such as high blood pressure, weakened immune function, and poor skin health. Circuhealth Clinic employs several stress reduction techniques to help manage and reduce stress, thereby supporting circulatory health.

For example, the 54321 method is a grounding exercise designed to manage acute stress and reduce anxiety. This method involves identifying five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. This technique can be particularly useful before bedtime to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.

Other stress reduction techniques include meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga. These practices help calm the mind, reduce cortisol levels, and improve overall mental health, supporting better circulatory health.

Importance of a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is crucial for maintaining good circulatory health. Circuhealth Clinic emphasizes the importance of eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Such a diet can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve energy levels, and support overall health.

For those looking to manage hypertension, Circuhealth Clinic suggests a specific dietary approach:

10 Hours Before Bed: No more caffeine.
3 Hours Before Bed: No more food or alcohol.
2 Hours Before Bed: No more work.
1 Hour Before Bed: No more screen time.
0: Number of times you hit the snooze button.

This structured approach helps regulate blood pressure and promotes better sleep, both essential for good circulatory health.

Conclusion

Circuhealth Clinic Clinic, under the expert guidance of Nadia Nassif, offers a holistic approach to health that focuses on improving circulatory health through personalized exercise programs, detoxification treatments, stress reduction techniques, and advanced diagnostics. By addressing the underlying causes of health issues and providing tailored treatment plans, Circuhealth Clinic helps individuals achieve optimal health and well-being.

Whether you are looking to manage a chronic condition, improve your overall health, or simply enhance your quality of life, Circuhealth Clinic’s comprehensive approach offers a path to better health. Embrace these treatments and lifestyle changes to experience the full benefits of improved circulatory health and overall wellness.