You work hard every day, pushing, pulling, lifting or doing repetitive tasks – and you are proud of the work you achieve, contributing every day to building something lasting. Unfortunately, physical labour and trades are industries plagued with back problems and injuries that keep you off work, and can cost significant time and money, not to mention, can cause tremendous stress and anxiety. The good news is that a lot of these injuries are easily preventable. And one factor, in particular, plays a huge role – posture.

The Stats

The majority of back injuries are sprains and strains resulting from lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling heavy loads, and slips, trips and falls – you feel these most in the lower back. The risk for back injuries is increased for workers who handle heavy loads often or must work in spaces that force an awkward posture. Over half of back injuries result from cumulative trauma, and about 23% result from trips, slips, and falls. Once you suffer one back injury, you are more likely to suffer subsequent injuries.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, like shoulder injuries, are also extremely common in construction. The main risk factor for shoulder injuries is prolonged forceful overhead work, especially for contractors, electricians, carpenters, and painters. Posture-correcting devices have been shown to decrease the risk of shoulder injuries by correcting posture. In fact, posture has a lot to do with being injury-free.

Good Posture and Proper Form

A key factor in lifting heavy objects safely is proper form – you know not to lift with your back, but did you know poor posture can weaken certain muscles over time and result in a strained back even though you followed proper form. Too much internal rotation at the shoulder limits mobility, tightens the hips and puts you at risk for back and shoulder injury. Your body is a kinetic chain – everything is connected, and your body is as strong as your weakest muscle.

How do you know if you have rounded shoulders? Stand up and let your arms hang by your sides. If you thumbs face each other instead of pointing in front of you, you have some work to do. Luckily, there are training systems that will help.

Fixing Your Posture

You’ve probably seen braces that you can wear to improve posture – great solution, if you want to band-aid the problem. Instead, choose a wearable fitness system that uses body mechanics to apply measured torque and strengthen your muscles over time. Combined with a specific training plan, good posture for the long term becomes achievable and relatively easy to develop. A system like Bladeflex can be worn for as little as 20 minutes a day, as long as you are consistent. Wear it as you get ready in the morning, on your commute or during lunch hour – Bladeflex doesn’t restrict movement and allows you to do your regular activities without interruption. That’s why it’s so easy to build a habit of healthy posture!

Do your back a favour and reap the benefits of good posture – at 20% off! Use the promo code CONSTRUCT20 at the checkout and avoid costly and painful injuries.