If you’ve had an injury on the job, you might have thought that your injury would have healed by now, but it’s still bothering you. There are likely many factors to blame for this, including the severity of your work injury. However, there are also six specific times when many people find their work injury bothers them the most. Learn about these six times and how you can avoid them to help speed up your recovery from your work injury.

1. In the morning — Getting up and heading to work is challenging enough. Yet you may have more pain first thing in the morning. Why? Your muscles are still stiff from being immobile overnight, leaving you with less range of motion. Add in an injury, and it can be even harder and more painful to get out of bed.

2. While you’re working — While it’s true that every hour of your workday may be a struggle after an injury, you might feel some pain or discomfort at certain times more than others. Times when your stress is higher can trigger more pain, for instance. Your pain may also increase at work because of the fatigue of repetitive work activities, like typing.

3. Before you go to bed — Your pain might also increase after a busy day. Pain can significantly contribute to sleep disruption and poor quality of life for people with work injuries. Try to unwind before bed by reading or listening to music, and make sure your bedroom is at a comfortable temperature. You can also do some stretching exercises recommended by a physical therapist. These can help ease tension and pain before you go to sleep. 

4. When relaxing — Chances are, you spend a fair amount of time in the same spot during your day. Maybe you sit at your desk while working, or perhaps you lie on the couch while watching TV. If so, you should know that sometimes relaxing in the same spot for too long can trigger pain and discomfort. If this happens to you, a few physical therapist-recommended stretches may help. 

5. After dinner — What you have eaten might affect how your injury feels. Processed foods and sugar may cause a flare-up of pain, especially if you have muscle injuries. 

6. When you exercise — Exercising can be a great way to relieve stress and help reach your fitness goals, but if you have an injury, it may cause even more pain than usual. It is vital that if you are feeling pain when exercising, you stop right away. Ask your physical therapist to evaluate your workout routine. They may be able to show you why your routine is causing pain, and suggest exercises that can help your condition.

Should I consider physical therapy?

If you have been experiencing pain six times a day, yes. Physical therapy isn’t just for athletes recovering from an injury. Physical therapists work with all kinds of people, from young children to senior citizens, to help them maintain optimal movement and flexibility. If you develop a work injury, your doctor may recommend that you consider physical therapy to speed up your recovery time.  

How does a physical therapist help you recover from a work injury?

Physical therapists treat patients in many ways. They can show you exercises or other self-care techniques that you can do on your own (at home or work) to relieve pain or improve your range of motion. Physical therapists are also able to instruct you on how to avoid any future work-related injuries.

Find physical therapy that can help ease the pain of a work-related injury

Have you been struggling with a painful work-related injury? One of our expert physical therapists at Continuum Wellness is ready to treat you. If you suffer from continual pain from a work-related injury, we can do a free screening to identify the specific injury you have. Furthermore, our therapists can formulate a physical therapy plan customized to your needs, which can help decrease your pain and prevent it from occurring again. 

Get in touch with our team and schedule an appointment if you’re suffering from ongoing pain from a work injury.