Q: Can chiropractors help my company woes with injured workers?
A: Pain is one of the leading reasons why people are forced to miss work. It also has a major impact on an employee’s performance. A study found that pain conditions account for over $62 billion in lost productivity in the U.S. each year. Many companies are looking for ways to enhance their employees’ health to reduce pain and improve productivity. In the study, the most common health problems were allergies, neck pain, low back pain, depression, and arthritis. Employees with pain scored an average of 45 percent lower on an overall rating of physical health and 23 percent lower on a mental health score, compared to those without pain. Workers with pain were also five times more likely to report being limited in their ability to do their work.
Three of the five most common health problems reported in the survey—neck pain, back pain, and arthritis—are musculoskeletal in nature. These are conditions that can be managed very effectively by a Doctor of Chiropractic. The authors of the study believe that designing programs targeting musculoskeletal conditions will offer companies a win-win situation for all involved.
In our state, chiropractors are losing the ability to be the primary treating physician for the injured worker. This bodes poorly for the employer trying to get the worker back to the workplace as statistically, the chiropractor typically creates the greatest short term and long term outcomes for the worker. This is especially true when chiropractic is combined with physical therapy.
If you or an employee of yours is losing work or is out because of an injury, it makes sense to request that a chiropractor is part of the team in treating the injury and getting back to productivity.
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