Give it all you’ve got. Shoot for the moon. Push yourself. These are all common motivational encouragements that we say to others and ourselves to reach the best results, either at the gym or the workplace. But there are a few reasons that it might not be the best advice after all.
Workplace overexertion happens when your job pushes your body past its limits, whether that’s lifting, repetitive motion, bending, kneeling, typing for hours, or working through heat and fatigue. It’s not just “being tired.” Overexertion can show up as pain, inflammation, dizziness, shortness of breath, and other warning signs that something is about to give.
According to Liberty Mutual’s 2019 Workplace Safety Index and the National Safety Council, “overexertion” remains the leading cause of workplace injuries in all industries. So, while you might have thought you were “injury-proof” at your office job, you should still be concerned about injuries and illness caused by workplace overexertion.
What Is Workplace Overexertion?
We typically use the word “overexertion” to indicate exhaustion, but the medical definition is a little different. Put simply, “overexertion” occurs when you push your body beyond its limits.
Struggling to lift or push a heavy box, typing for hours at a time with no break, even walking can lead to a workplace injury if you do it long enough. Overexertion injuries can be categorized into three main types:
- Excessive physical effort directed at an outside source (for example, a heavy box);
- Excessive physical effort involving free bodily motion (such as bending or kneeling); and
- Repetitive motion (such as typing or using a computer mouse).
Injured at Work In Florida?
Overexertion Symptoms
Overexertion can be difficult to spot at first (especially if you’re focusing on meeting a deadline or impressing your supervisor). But staying at the top of your game will be impossible if you’re propped up in bed with a cast on your leg. Monitor yourself and your coworkers for common signs of overexertion.
Early Warning Signs
- Fatigue that feels “heavier” than normal
- Muscle soreness that does not improve with rest
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Struggling to catch your breath
- Feeling weak, shaky, or unsteady
- Headache or feeling “off” during the workday
Pain And Inflammation Symptoms
Fatigue, dizziness, muscle soreness, dehydration and struggling to catch your breath are all signs that you may be burning the candle at both ends. Pain is also a very common symptom of overexertion, as this is the best way for your body to alert you to a potential injury. The reason pain exists is to prevent injury.
Your muscle hurts when you stretch it too far because going further could cause a sprain or tear. It hurts to drop a heavy box on your foot because continuing to do so could break a bone or cause some other injury. If you are feeling excessive pain or discomfort during your workday, that could be a sign that you are overexerting yourself.
Heat, Dehydration, And “Bodily Reaction” Symptoms
- Excessive sweating or feeling unusually overheated
- Dry mouth or strong thirst
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Confusion or feeling faint
Common Causes Of Workplace Overexertion
Overexertion is not limited to one type of job. It often comes down to a few common patterns that build up over time, especially when you’re short on breaks, short on help, or trying to push through pain to keep production moving.
- Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy items (especially with poor mechanics)
- Repetitive tasks (typing, scanning, assembling, using tools, constant mouse use)
- Awkward positions (bending, twisting, kneeling, overhead work)
- Long shifts with too few breaks
- Working in heat or getting dehydrated, which makes physical strain worse
Types Of Overexertion Injuries
In the United States, we have a “work hard, play hard” mentality. But the damage done by working too hard should not be trivialized. Here is a list of just some of the injuries overexertion can cause:
- Muscle sprains, strains, and tears
- Tendinitis / Tendonitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Heat Exhaustion
- Dehydration
- Joint Dislocations
- Torn Meniscus
- Herniated Discs
- Stress Fractures
When To Seek Medical Care
Overexertion treatment isn’t always as simple as “go home and get some rest.” In some cases, you may require emergency medical treatment or even surgery.
If your injuries prevent you from keeping up with your day-to-day lifestyle, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. If your symptoms started at work or got worse because of your job duties, it also matters that you take the right steps early, because delays can create headaches later.
As a general rule, if your symptoms feel severe or rapidly worsening, get help right away. If symptoms are persistent, recurring, or making it hard to do your job safely, get evaluated promptly and follow the medical guidance you’re given.
If your symptoms may be work-related, you should also report your workplace injury and consider filing a workers’ comp claim. Your authorized treating physician will treat your health conditions differently depending on which parts of the body are affected.
How To Treat Overexertion
Overall, the best treatment for overexertion is to give the injury time to heal. The RICE method is universally recommended.
- Rest the affected area.
- Apply ice to reduce inflammation.
- Wrap the injured body part in a compress.
- Elevate the area to reduce swelling
Preventing Overexertion At Work
Once you have been cleared to return to work, it is important that you follow the necessary steps to avoid overexertion in the future. The baseline rules of staying healthy still apply. Drink water, get eight hours of sleep, and attend to your mental health.
But while at work, the most important advice is to listen to your body. Many people become injured in the first place because they don’t pay attention to the warning signs their body is trying to send them. Remember, pain is never “normal”; it’s the body’s way of alerting you that something is wrong (and telling you to stop doing it).
- Follow all proper safety precautions. If your employer offers equipment to make your job easier (whether it be a back brace or a forklift), use it.
- Use proper techniques. Lift with your legs, set up an ergonomic workstation, and change your position frequently so that you’re not performing the same action for too long.
- Take rest breaks. Take a break from physical activity at regular intervals and whenever you feel the signs of overexertion, especially when doing repetitive tasks.
Pushing yourself past the breaking point will only increase the likelihood of an injury.
As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” And when it comes to workplace injuries, this is invaluable advice.
Overexertion injuries cost an estimated $13 billion a year and can have lifelong effects on your health, so anything you can do to prevent such injuries from occurring are worth the effort.
Is Overexertion Covered By Workers’ Comp?
Yes, overexertion injuries are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. However, it can be difficult to “prove” that your symptoms of overexertion are caused by your work duties or that you even have an injury at all. You might even be experiencing pain and symptoms that you don’t know are related to workplace overexertion.
In fact, many cases of overexertion are denied by insurance companies or employers and must be challenged by an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.
What To Do Next If Your Symptoms Started At Work
- Report the injury and symptoms promptly.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible and follow the treatment plan.
- Keep track of what tasks you were doing when symptoms started or worsened.
- Do not downplay symptoms just to “get through the day.”
Your work injury lawyer is the best resource you have throughout your workers’ comp case, as they have the knowledge necessary to advise you on every step.
If you have been injured as a result of workplace overexertion, the Law Office of Brian D. Tadros Orlando Workers Compensation Attorney is available for a free consultation.
