Greater Vancouver BC is the fastest-growing metropolis of Canada’s three largest Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs). Our own neck of the woods is partly to credit, as data from the 2021 Census indicates that Burnaby is among the fastest-growing major municipalities in the country. This growth is immediately evident from the moment you walk out of your door and make your commute. There is construction everywhere.
The BC Construction Association (BCCA) reports that the construction industry employs 8% of the total workforce, which is greater than any other goods-producing sector. Simply put, if you’re on the skytrain and you look to your left, then to your right, the odds are that the person beside you works in construction. Of course, if you’re reading this – it’s you. And it’s a good thing that you’re here, because another statistic that construction leads the province in, is with respect to workplace injuries. That’s one data point you’d like to see drop, and that begins with the person in the mirror.
Below is a breakdown of why you (construction worker / contractor) should make physiotherapy a part of your monthly health and wellness regime.
3 Reasons Why General Contractors and Construction Workers Should See a Physiotherapist on a Regular Basis
Effective Treatment and Therapy for Common Construction Injuries
Construction workers face a number of on-site threats that may come from exposure to sharp objects, electrical wiring, chemicals, and extreme heat sources. Injuries sustained from those are beyond the scope of physical therapy, with treatment being relegated to traditional physicians. However, there are very significant acute and chronic injuries that come from heavy lifting and repetitive movements. These include (but are not exclusive to) the following:
- Lower and upper back pain
- Shoulder injuries (cartilage tear, rotator cuff tear, impingement, bursitis, shoulder tendonitis, bone spurs)
- Neck strain
- Hand and wrist strain
- Knee injuries (fractures, dislocations, tears and sprains)
- Groin and hamstring pulls
- Sprained ankles
- Plantar fasciitis (foot)
But wait, didn’t we essentially name every single part of the body? Pretty much. And when you factor in the acute injuries to come with construction such as bone fractures and breaks (and subsequent recovery beyond the ER) it seems that you’re more vulnerable than those in any other profession. For this very clear reason, you must make physiotherapy a part of your life.
Physiotherapy takes a holistic approach to treatment and prevention for those employed in construction. No injury is the same, and no person is the same, so no recovery and prevention program is the same. We will address your existing and underlying injuries, but we also take into account your unique goals. We will ask questions about what your regular duties are, but will also inquire about your preferred activities outside of the job site (i.e. weightlifting, street hockey, golf, swimming, etc.). In doing so, we will make sure that your body is healed and better prepared to manage work and play all the same.
Of course, not all physiotherapy clinics are created equally. To account for what we just mentioned above, you require a full service clinic that offers access to chiropractic, massage, trigger point, acupuncture and IMS, and other therapies that will treat and prevent construction site injuries.
Direct Billing for Construction Worker WCB Claims
If your injury treatment has been approved by the Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia (operates as WorkSafeBC) then you’ve really come to the right place. Absolute PhysioCare offers Greater Vancouver construction workers direct billing. That means you don’t have to pay out of pocket on approved claims. And if you have extended coverage from a private provider, there’s a good chance that we can direct bill through them too. Call 604.558.2273 to ask.
Members of our staff have specific experience in working with construction workers, but anyone from our team is ready to return you to (or help you attain) peak physical condition. Book your first consultation today by calling the number below.