Dr. Carmine Allonardo, DC and the Team at Posture Perfect Chiropractic are Proud to Treat Firefighters Throughout the State of New Jersey
Back pain is one of the most common forms of injuries, so it should not come as a shock that it is common among firefighters too. The physical demands coupled with previous injuries and unhealthy habits will not only hinder a firefighter’s performance on the job but can lead to an early retirement.
For a 24-hour period, if a firefighter is not working, then they are sitting and waiting to work. Whether it’s the zero-to-100mph within seconds or the sedentary bouts between things hitting the fan, an unhealthy back is a recipe for disaster. You can experience back pain when lifting a tool, patient, or dragging a hose line – or simply when you’ve been sitting too long and a prior strain kicks in.
Firefighters also provide EMS services as part of their duties. When performing EMS services, they are called out at all hours of the day and night to assist people in need. This may lead to them lifting and transporting a person down several flights of stairs through a narrow stairwell, all while keeping the patient level. The firefighters then have to carry the person into the ambulance and transport them once they have made it to the hospital. This constant exertion can put a lot of pressure on a firefighter’s back, neck, and other extremities.