When people list dangerous professions, they include jobs like firefighters, police officers, doctors and construction workers. There are very few adults who would believe teaching could be a hazardous profession.
Most teachers are not risking their lives in the classroom, but they are endangering their health due to numerous health concerns hidden in school across the country. One prevalent issue for teachers is the risk of repetitive stress injury.
The dangers of repetitive tasks
A repetitive stress injury (RSI) develops from manual labor, office work and using modern technology. These fields or uses encourage repetitive motions that eventually lead to stress on specific body parts.
For a teacher, they may develop RSI in their joints due to standing for an extended time, grading papers, typing on the computer. They may also develop RSI due to the subject they teach – think of a music teacher who plays the guitar every day for students.
Teachers who suffer from RSI experience symptoms like:
- Tenderness or pain in muscles
- Throbbing sensations in specific areas
- Tingling in the hand or arm
- Loss of feeling or strength
RSI also develops into different illnesses such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis, but it may remain hidden for years before teachers seek medical treatment.
Luckily, teachers could seek compensation to treat repetitive stress injuries through the state of Pennsylvania. All you need to do is to file a workers’ compensation claim and prepare for any additional steps with your employer. It will kick off the beginning of your speedy recovery.
