The “Nine-To-Five Labour” Pains
Any woman who has carried a pregnancy to term can attest to the very real
labour pains of childbirth. But the "labour pains" associated with working
at a nine-to-five job are nearly as well accepted or understood. Sometimes
the only difference between the woman about to give birth and the receptionist
with recurring neck, arm, wrist or shoulder pain is the way each condition
is perceived. Being pregnant is quite noticeable. It is also common knowledge
that pregnancy and childbirth involve pain and discomfort and will require
some time off work. By contrast, anyone suffering from "unseen" conditions
such as repetitive motion injuries (RMIs) and cumulative trauma disorders
(CTDs) usually have trouble being taken seriously. Few people really notice,
understand, or consider the conditions serious enough to impede work or warrant
some time off.
To make matters worse, some doctors actually suggest that people with such injuries find “easier” employment, such as secretarial or office work. Unfortunately, even the seemingly simple tasks, such as bending over a desk, typing, stuffing envelopes, answering the phone, or simply sitting for an extended period of time in a poorly positioned chair can be difficult or painful for someone suffering from injuries associated with the neck and upper extremities. The “difficulty” in completing a task is not always related to the pain alone, but often involves associated symptoms such as nausea, headaches, blurred vision, weakness or numbness of limbs or fingers, a sense of being utterly drained, and even total body pain.
Different people will experience varying degrees of discomfort. For some, it will merely be uncomfortable, for others, it will result in stiffness, soreness and irritability. For still others with more serious conditions, it will become almost unbearable-even to the point of feeling unable to sit, stand, or cope with simple work demands.
So, what do you do if you’re a victim of such nine-to-five blues? The first
thing you need to do is to see your chiropractor. Chiropractors can pinpoint
the specific problem areas and bring welcome relief, hence, making both your
job and your life more enjoyable. Those suffering from work-related injuries
or disorders who are considering consulting a specialist in these areas should
insist on making chiropractic an integral part of their treatment plan, since
most of these symptoms are aggravated, if not induced, by interference in
the neck area. Clinical studies have demonstrated a direct connection between
arm, wrist and shoulder pain and the nerves that emit from the neck. A spine
free from nerve stress will be better equipped to heal the body from these
painful and often crippling conditions. In most cases, the drug-free, non-surgical
approach of chiropractic will be far more effective than the more traditional
medical options.
Most importantly, learn to take the ‘unseen’ pain seriously. Just because
you can’t see the problem doesn’t mean it “won’t get on your nerves!” Just
as you wouldn’t expect a woman to wait until she’s about to give birth to
see a midwife or doctor, don’t wait until your pain is unbearable before you
take action. Talk to a chiropractor today.