Back pain is one of the leading causes of worklessness and disability in the US People with back problems often have to modify their behaviors to control pain, and this modification can interfere with the ability to perform his work.
Many people choose or need to continue working on chronic pain; This could be due to difficulties related to disability or workers’ compensation payments, a desire to stay active, or a love of work. Determining whether you can stay in your current line of work requires evaluating your limitations and the flexibility of your work environment.
In general, people with chronic back pain should avoid heavy lifting, prolonged sitting, and prolonged standing/walking. The work environment should not require repetitive movements that strain the back, such as twisting. If it is possible to do your job while sitting or standing, you may be able to resume work. Ergonomics is an important consideration; workspaces should be designed to support proper body mechanics and limit back strain.
People with back injuries should stop working in construction, landscaping, truck driving, or any other job that requires hard physical labor or long, compulsory sitting.
The best jobs for people with back pain
Any job that is flexible about your position and does not require heavy lifting may be possible for a person with a bad back. If you can no longer continue the job you had before or are entering the job market for the first time and have back pain, consider the following job opportunities that are likely to be possible for people with back pain.
Being a freelancer is essentially applying your skills from home. Data entry, computer programming, web design, writing, data entry, editing, translation, and research are some of the skill sets that can land you a freelance job. Working from home allows you to set your own hours and take exercise and stretch breaks whenever you want. Get creative with your workstation; set it up so that you can do some of your work while standing up. Sites like https://www.elance.com/help connect freelancers with employers securely.
Teachers can often choose to sit or stand during the day and usually do not need to do any physical labor. If you have or are going to obtain a bachelor’s degree, this profession may be an option for you.
With the right accommodations, jobs that require desk work may be possible for people with back injuries. An ergonomic workstation in an office, call center or customer service center will help you avoid straining your back. Taking brisk walk breaks, having the option of sitting or standing at your desk, and using an adjustable chair will make these types of jobs accessible to you.
See the Job Accommodation Network website at https://askjan.org/media/back.html for more information on workplace accommodations.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that a sedentary lifestyle is the answer to back pain; staying active is one of the most important components of back pain treatment. Making accommodations to your work life can make your job possible. If not, a disability or workers’ compensation lawyer can get you the help you need.
