Physical overexertion is one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in the United States. Each year, it’s believed that more than 3 million emergency room visits are related to overexertion. It’s not surprising that overexertion is a leading reason for worker’s compensation claims.

Overexertion and the mechanisms involved are often misunderstood by patients. The Temecula, CA team at Horst Chiropractic would like to consider what causes overexertion and why those who suffer from it should consider chiropractic care for pain relief.

About Physical Overexertion

Overexertion refers to repeated activities or motions that lead to excessive strain on the joints, muscles, and other parts of the body. When this happens, you may experience joint or muscle pain, stiffness in that part of the body, loss of flexibility, and restricted range of motion.

Physical overexertion may be so severe that it requires time off from work to recover. However, if you’re not giving your body a chance to heal properly, you risk re-injuring that part of your body in the future.

Who Is at Risk of Overexertion?

Anyone may be at risk of overexertion, but there is a heightened risk among the following professions:

• Athletes
• Construction workers
• Assembly line workers
• Woodworkers/carpenters
• Nurses and nursing assistants
• Warehouse employees
• Chefs and cooks

Signs of Physical Overexertion

Some warning signs of physical overexertion include:

• Stiff muscles
• Body aches and pains
• Difficulty moving or bending
• Problems bending the limbs
• Soreness when bending or reaching
• Changes in grip strength

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care is focused on improving your ability to move. Adjustments help alleviate pain while also promoting greater range of motion. There’s also sense of relaxation and stress relief that is part of the chiropractic adjustment, an aspect of care that many patients find reassuring.

A single chiropractic adjustment can help restore the use of a limb or improve your overall flexibility. Repeated adjustments done regularly can help improve general wellness and prevent additional injuries from occurring later on. In essence, it keeps your joints and muscles aligned and in proper working order.

Identifying Other Factors Related to Overexertion

In addition to performing adjustments and promoting relaxation, we can also discuss aspects of your workspace or work environment that may be improved on to prevent issues with physical exertion.

For instance, we may discuss footwear and posture at work. Both can make a major difference when it comes to lower back pain and ergonomics. If you notice problems lifting and moving objects of a certain weight or size, we can suggest modifications to the way you go about your job in order to put less stress on your body.

A Focus on Total Wellness

On top of all this, the team at Horst Chiropractic can also focus on general health matters. If your back is prone to overexertion and potential injury, we may suggest some exercises and stretches you can do at home as part of preventative care or self-care. We may go over your diet in case nutritional deficiencies are contributing to overexertion or body pain in some way.

For all patients, rest assured that you will receive our full attention when it comes to holistic care. We want to make sure you feel fit and strong, and that you can go about your day without the risk of injury when doing simple tasks.

Learn More about Chiropractic Care

For more information about chiropractic care and how it can help you achieve better flexibility and improved pain management, be sure to contact a skilled chiropractor today. We at Horst Chiropractic look forward to discussing these matters with you.