That PhD on the wall of your campus office comes with a lot of reward. The invaluable job that you do in educating and inspiring minds is equalling enriching. What’s not so gratifying are the chronic pains that also come from your profession. Below is a breakdown of these physical maladies, and why you should add physiotherapy to your weekly agenda to the benefit of your own health and wellness.
Why College and University Professors Should Make Physiotherapy a Regular Part of Their Program
Treatment and Therapy for Chronic Injuries Suffered by Professors
Few people (including those within administration) realize that college and university professors are vulnerable to a number of chronic injuries, pains, and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). They chalk the physical nature of job up to a lot of sitting and standing – which in their eyes does not pose much of a threat to one’s muscles, joints, and ligaments. They couldn’t be more wrong.
When performing lectures, you’ll be on your feet for extended hours. This puts a major strain on your lower extremities. Further, if have any underlying issues with your gait (manner of walking) you will be more susceptible to plantar fasciitis, one of the most common causes of foot/heel pain. In this case custom orthotics may be required to correct the problem. Physiotherapist-prescribed accessories may also assist with common pains that occur from being on your feet in a class all day. For example, compression socks, stockings, and hosiery can be leveraged to mitigate cramping, swelling, joint damage and other ailments specific to your lower extremities. View more on how physiotherapy can help treat sore feet.
The other part of your day involves time in your office, where you will sit at your desk for hours on end. When doing so, you’re threatened by conditions that come from sitting for extended periods of time. One of the most common causes of lower back pain in modern times is the seemingly simple act of sitting in an office. This particular musculoskeletal disorder can effectively be addressed by a physiotherapy clinic’s chiropractor. In addition, manual therapy and RMT treatments can be employed to address other common issues that come with sitting in an office setting for long periods. These additional injuries and strains occur in and around the gluteus medium muscle and/or the iliopsoas muscle regions.
Furthermore, you face significant risk of repetitive strain injuries in your hands and wrists. Pain in the hand/wrist from preparing assignments, combing through theses (digital or hardcopy), grading papers/tests, emailing colleagues, and logging a large volume of information into the university’s database. A physiotherapist will work with you to identify impending or current wrist tendonitis. If discovered, you will be prescribed with repositioning techniques and supportive devices such as wrist braces. View more on the benefits of physiotherapy for hand and wrist pain.
Beyond the benefits of receiving in-clinic treatment for injuries commonly experienced by professors, a physiotherapist will also provide you with the knowledge, resources, and skills needed to continue treatment at home and even at your on-campus office. Your therapist will provide clear instructions on regular stretching exercises that you can perform to reduce and prevent the symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This will provide an effective means to improving neuromuscular coordination and flexibility while also improving muscle strength.
Simply put, a physiotherapist will not only proffer the in-clinic treatment you need, they will empower you with ongoing self-intervention methods for the prevention and cure of MSDs.
If you’re a professor in the Greater Vancouver area, enroll yourself at our Burnaby BC clinic today. Contact us to schedule your first appointment.