“Over the years the requirements of working from home have resulted in an increasing number of musculoskeletal problems. A lot of time and money and resources go into making sure people have proper chairs to sit in, that they have ergonomic tools, that they have access to education: a lot changed during the pandemic and, at the same time, there was less access to other opportunities for care.”
According to some recent court cases, an injury while working at home means a worker must qualify for benefits coverage. As musculoskeletal specialists, chiropractors can help, says Brereton.
“They are experts in the field of diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of conditions affecting the muscles, bones and then the spine and associated nervous system. The issue of disability related to musculoskeletal problems – which is now recognized as a global issue and the world It’s a major cause of disability across the globe—something that chiropractors are specially trained to address,” she says. “Chiropractors work very often on a daily basis with patients who suffer from chronic pain and disability related to musculoskeletal injuries and have many treatment options and support chiropractors.”
The main benefits of chiropractic treatment occur when an early diagnosis is made, but that’s not always the case, Brereton says, which is detrimental to the patient.
“What we do know about musculoskeletal issues and the disability related to it is that patients are often misdiagnosed and end up in emergency departments without or poorly diagnosed, and often described as pain relievers. unless they can refer someone who can do a full comprehensive assessment,” she says.
