Helpful Therapies for Foot Pain—Occupational Therapy Companies Inform

You only have one body, so you have the sole responsibility to look after your well-being—from the top of your head down to your toes. However, if you own a company or manage a business that requires you to hire employees for certain tasks, the duty of maintaining worker health and safety will also fall on your hands. By adhering to established occupational health guidelines and working with occupational therapy companies, such as the U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group, you’ll be able to assist your employees in maintaining, enhancing, and recovering their health.

Foot Safety in the Workplace

Other than helmets, gloves, and jumpsuits, workers in industrial settings like construction sites, machine shops, warehouses, and manufacturing factories are required to wear safety boots that can protect their feet from compression, punctures, falling objects, or chemical spills. Moreover, jobs that require long periods of standing also tire the feet and can even cause permanent damage. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2iL32Y9

Worksite Clinic Flu Shots and Better Information for the Flu Season

“Did you get your flu shot yet?” is a question that you’ll often hear asked around the workplace during the flu season, which begins in October but comes into full swing December to February. Since flu season occurs in the winter, a common misconception is that the illness is caused by cold temperatures. The truth is, the influenza virus is what’s causing the flu, and winter’s lower temperatures are only a contributing factor to becoming ill.

In addition to the cold, many argue that the changes that people have in their lifestyles during winter—such as spending more time indoors with windows sealed—are primary contributing factors. As an employer, aside from having a worksite clinic that gives flu shots, it’s important to let your people know how they can put themselves at risk of the illness as an added measure to help them fight it. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2iL7sOF

Travel Vaccinations and Three Other Things to Do Before Going Abroad

Whether you are traveling abroad for work or for leisure, there’s no denying that visiting a foreign country is an enjoyable experience. This is especially true when you visit a country for the very first time. It’s easy to get caught up with planning your schedule or packing your luggage, but be sure to make time to also visit an urgent care center to receive your travel vaccinations.

Travel vaccines are important for two distinct reasons. The first reason is that certain countries may have diseases that are not found in the U.S., which means we do not have the natural defenses to fight them off. The second reason is to prevent becoming infected, returning to the United States, and spreading the disease to other people. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2iPafZz

Sports Physicals: Steps to Take to Prepare for Your Physical Exam

Over the last few years, it seems like we are always seeing professional athletes return quickly from absolutely devastating injuries. One of the best examples of this is Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, who came back from a torn ACL and MCL in 2012 and won MVP honors.

As inspiring as these quick recovery stories are, it is important to note that Peterson was cleared to play by team doctors prior to returning to the field. It’s not as if he returned to the field on a gut feeling that he was fine. This is important to note because it highlights the importance of sports physicals.

Sports physicals are more than just a mere formality; they are designed to prevent further injury. Even a “small sprain” can weaken structures enough to raise your risk of re-injuring yourself if you do not give your body enough time to recover. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2iL0okN

Employee Drug Testing and Marijuana at Work: What’s an Employer to Do?

The debate on marijuana has been going on for years. Even though the drug is now legal in some states, the debate continues to rage on. Nevertheless, one aspect of marijuana use is certainly not up for argument: the drug doesn’t belong in the workplace.

Yes, marijuana can treat a variety of diseases and conditions, but it also comes with many negative side effects, both short term (severe anxiety, forgetfulness, hallucinations, panic, lowered reaction time) and long term (decline in IQ, impaired thinking, inability to learn and perform new and complex tasks, addiction, lower life satisfaction, antisocial behavior). Clearly, none of these symptoms do the workplace any favor. This is why a random employee drug-testing policy that tests for marijuana, as well as other drugs and alcohol, is a must for all businesses. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2iL2SQl

Ongoing and Pre-Employment Physical Program: A Must for Truck Drivers

When you think of the health risks of being a long-haul truck driver, you’ll probably put vehicle accidents at the top of the list, and you wouldn’t be wrong. According to the most recent data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 503 truck drivers lost their lives in 2014. The survey adds that truck drivers, along with drivers/sales workers, accounted for nearly 2 out of every 3 fatal injuries in the transportation and material moving occupation.

What might not be that apparent, however, are the health risks inherent in a truck driver’s lifestyle. These professionals tend to be sedentary for long hours, with limited sleeping hours and even more limited access to healthy foods. Couple that with the daily stresses of being on the road, and you have the perfect recipe for potentially debilitating health conditions such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2iP3Zkq

4 Foam Roller Exercises Recommended by Occupational Health Services

Foam rolling has transformed from a body conditioning technique commonly used by professional athletes and therapists to a familiar workout practice for people at different levels of fitness. As the name suggests, foam rolling involves the use of a roll of foam. The popularity of the routine owes greatly to the fact that foam rollers are cheap equipment, are readily available, and are more convenient than getting deep tissue massages, while providing practically the same benefits to health.

The fact that foam rolling can be just as good for the body as a massage may be particularly interesting for people who don’t have time for the latter. If you’re an employer, occupational health service providers recommend that you share these easy foam rolling techniques with your employees to help increase mobility, reduce pain and avoid injury. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2iKZ41y