The Reasons Behind the Workplace Injuries Faced by Massage Therapists
Massage therapists work in a profession focused on the wellness and treatment of other people and therefore, it is ironic that they often find themselves in need of healing. While this may not be the first profession you think of when you contemplate workplace injuries, the reality is that massage therapists work in a profession that challenges them physically on a daily basis. In addition to occasionally going home with symptoms like a sore back and aching feet, massage therapists can develop ongoing and serious injuries and conditions. Many injured employees try to work through their pain, not realizing that this can actually make things worse.
What Do Massage Therapists Do?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. Massage therapists work in a variety of workplace settings such as spas, franchised clinics, physicians’ offices, hotels, and fitness centers. Some also travel to clients’ homes or offices to give a massage. While some massage therapists work independently and are self-employed, many others are employed by companies. Therefore, many massage therapists may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if injured on-the-job.
What Are Common Reasons Massage Therapists Face Workplace Injuries?
Massage therapists can frequently injure themselves if they do not use the proper techniques, especially because giving a massage is so physically demanding. They use their hands, fingers, forearms, elbows, and even their feet to knead muscles and soft tissues of the body. Exactly how many injuries occur is unknown, in part because these injuries are likely underreported in the industry and many injured workers rely on their own knowledge to treat themselves instead of obtaining proper medical help from the specialists they may need.
Sometimes massage therapists even face workplace hazards because of the actions of third parties. For example, a few months back, a disgruntled employee drove her car through a Massage Envy spa in North Carolina. Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured when the woman reportedly plowed through the storefront, shattering the glass and creating a massive hole.
Reasons for injury in the massage therapy profession can include:
- Too much force on the joints and nerves from deep tissue work.
- Having to stand in awkward positions to give a massage, causing back and neck strain.
- Repetitive motion that is frequently related to bending over excessively and eventually manifests in other conditions.
We Can Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim.
Many massage therapists feel like they need to push through the pain in order to maintain clients or due to the demands of their employer. However, if you or a loved one have found yourself in a situation where you have suffered an injury related to work, you have every right to pursue a workers’ compensation claim. As the Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates, we believe that your health is most important and we simply want to help you do everything you can to restore and improve your physical condition after a workplace injury. The first step is to contact us and give us the opportunity to take a look at the circumstances of your injury.
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