Active Release Techniques® & O.S.H.A.
Active Release Techniques® and O.S.H.A
Dr. Sebastian Gonzales D.C., C.S.C.S., ART, Orange California
Keywords: active release techniques, OSHA, worker’s compensation solutions, first-aid, on-site, recordable injury, decrease costs, best management practice, claim, repetitive stress disorders, cumulative trauma disorders, repetitive trauma disorders, low back pain___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Worker’s Compensation Solutions
An employee on site injury is a major concern of many employers today and for good reason; there are two events, which follow an injury occurrence. The first is recording the incidence with OSHA and the second is dealing with Worker’s Compensation and the loss of an employee’s time on the job.
In 2002, OSHA changed its record keeping rules regarding injuries; now injuries only requiring first-aid is no longer a recordable injury (29 CFR 1910.1907.7). As of this point in time, the only recordable events are ones which have a loss of consciousness, loss of time at work, restriction of work, transfer to another job, or require medical care. OSHA does go into great detail about what is considered “first-aid,” but one might be surprised what is considered first-aid. A number of employers will pay out-of-pocket to provide approved first-aid in an effort to decrease costs of Worker’s Compensation and OSHA recordable injures.
The Solution to Worker’s Compensation Claims
One of the best and most effective “first-aid” treatments approved by OSHA is Active Release Techniques® (ART®), in fact OSHA has designated it a “best management” practice. ART® treatment is powerfully effective; most injuries can be completely resolved after 3 – 5 treatments, taking about 15 minutes per treatment. 1 The treatment can be provided on the jobsite and afterwards, the patient is fully capable to return to full, unrestricted job duties.
ART® decreases recordable rates
Chart from Sanmina-SCI1
ART® decreases Workers Compensation Costs
Chart from Sanmina-SCI1
The Cost of Worker’s Compensation Claims
In California in 2004, each worker’s compensation claim over 7 day’s duration was estimated to cost $29,745.2 As stated before, worker’s compensation claims become so costly for the employer because of everything that come along with the injury: time off work, loss of productivity, hiring and training new employees, as well the medical care and training the employee may need during the reintroduction into the work place. As you can see, many of the costs may not be seen at first glance, but regardless, the businesses bottom-line is effected tremendously. ART® treatment is a very effective method of side-stepping these costs. A study was conducted with one business which contracted with ART® in 2004, the results showed an 81% decrease in worker’s compensation costs within 4 year period.1
Health and Safety Manager at Sanmina Plant 432 discusses decreasing health care costs using Active Release Techniques ®.
How Orange County Pain Management Center can help decrease Repetitive Trauma Disorders often found in the Workplace
Repetitive Trauma Disorders (RTD) or Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) are on the rise in modern workplaces. Over the past 5 years, studies have shown a 670% increase, making them more prevalent than low back pain.
Repetitive Trauma Disorders often occur from a specific set of circumstances and for this reason, at Orange County Pain Management, we can help identify and treat workers who are at more risk of developing such injuries. Each and every one of these worker’s habits, posture, and work environment will be assessed and corrected to decrease the chances of an OSHA recordable injury. This will not only make employees happier and healthier, but it will also help out the company’s bottom-line.
(1) Betsch, Mary. “One Company’s Solution for Solving Strain/Sprain Injuries.” The Leader 2004 05 May 2008 <http://www.artcorpsolutions.com/pdf/the_leader2004.pdf>.
(2) Business Editors, “California’s Workers’ Compensation Costs Per Claim Continue Rapid Growth, Says New WCRI Study; Numerous Cost Drivers, Persistent Growth Characterize System.” Bnet. 20 January 2004. Business Wire. 6 May 2008 <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2004_Jan_20/ai_112362692>.
(3) Griffin , R. Morgan. “The Cost of Pain.” Medicinenet. 31 January 2005. WebMD. 6 May 2008 <http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=50430>.
(4) Springen, Karen. “The Price of Pain.” Newsweek. 12 February 2008. 6 May 2008 <http://www.newsweek.com/id/110767>.
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Orange County Pain Management has been serving Southern California for over 5 years. Although many of our patients live right in the city of Orange, many of them will come from a great distance to receive our Active Release Techniques®, Chiropractic Care, and Injury Rehabilitation. Our customer service is second to none; our patients always come first.
Serving the cities of Orange, Irvine, Villa Park, Mission Viejo, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Anaheim, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Costa Mesa, Stanton, Westminster, Buena Park, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Seal Beach, Long Beach, Sunset Beach, Fullerton, Brea, Laguna Hills, Tustin, and Huntington Beach.
Check out our other articles and information on Active Release Techniques® to see if it can help you or any of your loved ones get out of pain.
“I can’t say enough how much I love ART! I went through several years of lower back pain and headaches. Traditional doctors just wrote it off as arthritis and medicated me. Then one day my friend recommended trying ART. After just three treatments, my pain was reduced substantially! Now, as soon as I feel any bit of pain (be it from a headache or injury), I head straight to Sebastian for ART treatments instead of the medicine cabinet! Thanks for keeping me pain free!”
Anna Raddavong, Community College Worker