The events of 2020-21 thrust yet another profession to the forefront – grocery store workers. But even when COVID has been kicked to the curb there are a number of threats to the physical wellness of those working within this particular retail environment. Thankfully most of these can be addressed through physical therapy.
Why Grocery Store Workers Need to Make Physiotherapy a Part of their Normal Health and Wellness Regime
Assists With Rehabilitation, Repair, and Prevention of Common Grocery Store Injuries
From store manager to bag-person there are distinctive injury risks that apply to each position.
Management is at risk of the injuries most typically experienced by office staff and executives in other professions, including lower back pain, chronic headaches, and hand/wrist pain. Learn how physical therapy can help put an end to all of these common office concerns.
Floor and warehouse personnel are at high-risk of injuries sustained when cleaning, pulling, or lifting, especially when they neglect to bend at the knees as opposed to the waist – all of which are precursors to lower back pain.
And while their jobs may seem less “physical” than those who stock shelves and operate the forklifts in the receiving bay, cashiers and baggers are threatened by the largest variety of injury risks, including the following:
- Arm and wrist injuries
- Back problems
- Pinched nerves
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Muscle pulls
- Fatigue
- Sore feet from standing all day
- Slips, trips, and falls
In addition to providing direct support for staff that has sustained and injury and/or is living with chronic pain that was instigated or aggravated by daily duties in the store, regular physiotherapy will also help prevent them from occurring in the first place. It can be employed to provide a exercise and stretching regime that accounts for the movements that staff employs throughout the day. With a dedicated injury prevention program in place there will be fewer sick-leaves and significantly lower payouts required for workers’ compensation. It’s a win-win for all involved.
With so many perils present in the grocery store environment the case for a company-wide physiotherapy plan and program should be deemed essential for the essential staff within. Corporate wellness programs should span beyond office-complexes and become mainstays in this (your) industry.
Are you are a grocery retail executive looking to protect staff and improve productivity? Consult with a physiotherapy clinic that can provide your staff with physical assessments and help you establish a corporate wellness program. Are you an individual worker and tired of waiting for your company to offer a plan? Take matters into your own hands and seek help for chronic pain today and consult with a local physiotherapist. For those located in the Greater Vancouver area we encourage you to contact our Burnaby clinic today.