Rising
Healthcare Costs - The Carpal Tunnel Pandemic
Carpal tunnel syndrome was
previously known as the "Epidemic of the 90's",
but when all is said and done, has become the "Pandemic
of the 21st Century.
Many of the government statistics
currently available to the public state that
the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome has
been decreasing in the workplace the past 5-years,
but upon investigation, the information reveals
that it is more prevalent than ever, and is
instead being re-categorized from listings
such as "carpal tunnel syndrome" to a much
broader "sprains and strains" category and "missed
work days" to "light duty restriction" category.
Re-categorizing statistics does not make the
problem go away, but instead raises more questions
about its devastating effects on the consumer
(taxpayer), patients, businesses, insurance
companies and government organizations such
as Medicare and Medicaid.
"In the United States, employers
spend more than $7.4 billion in workers compensation
costs, and untold billions on medical treatment,
litigation costs, hidden costs and lost productivity." U.S.
Bureau of Labor and Statistics
"In the industrialized world,
the incidence of musculoskeletal injury (MSI)
has reached epidemic proportions. In the United
States, these disorders affect one out of every
four people." American Academy
of Orthopedic Surgeons, 2000
This last statistic listed
above, regarding musculoskeletal injuries (MSI's),
like carpal tunnel syndrome, can now be changed
to "Pandemic Proportions"! If your employer
is providing you with the appropriate tools
to perform your job in a safe, effective manner
and implements prevention techniques to reduce
injuries like carpal tunnel, you are doing
well. If your employer is not taking your safety
into consideration for such risks as carpal
tunnel, then take the steps necessary to help
yourself by doing the following:
Quick Breaks, Stretches
and Exercises: Taking short exercise
and stretch breaks every 30-minutes is the
key to keeping your hands and upper extremity
healthy. Stretching the fingers, hands, wrists,
elbows and shoulders and then following up
with exercises to counteract
tightness in
muscles and keep muscles balanced will help
tremendously in reducing carpal tunnel and
other repetitive stress disorders from affecting
you.
Break Software: If
you have trouble remembering to take those
short breaks, download or purchase stretch
software to remind you.
Environment: Make
sure that if you work with tools or in an office,
that the tools are ergonomically designed to
reduce amount of strain.
Task Rotation: If
your tools and office environment has been
set up for you to the best or your ability
(or your boss') and it is still lacking, discuss
task rotation so that you are not performing
the same task for more than 1-hour at a time,
making sure that each job varies enough to
put the stress somewhere else than were it
was on the previous task.
The more of the ideas listed
above that you can implement into your daily
life, at work or play, the chances of becoming
afflicted with a debilitating disorder like carpal
tunnel syndrome are drastically reduced. In summary,
the prevalence of carpal tunnel has not decreased
so you need to be aware of your surroundings
and implement the necessary things to keep yourself
injury free!
Author: Jeff
Anliker, LMT, is a Therapist and Inventor
of Therapeutic Exercise Products that are
utilized by Corporations, Consumers and Medical
Facilities around the world for the prevention
and rehabilitation of repetitive strain
injuries. carpal-care.com |
