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A work-related injury can affect much more than your physical comfort. Pain may make it difficult to perform your job, sleep, exercise, care for your family, or complete everyday activities. The Workers’ Compensation process can also feel confusing when you are trying to focus on recovering.

At O’Leary Chiropractic, we provide evaluation and conservative treatment for appropriately selected patients with work-related musculoskeletal injuries.

Our approach focuses on three things:

• Understanding your injury and symptoms 
• Providing evidence-informed conservative care when appropriate 
• Documenting your condition and coordinating additional care or referral when necessary 

In New York, Chiropractors are among the provider types that may be authorized by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board to treat injured workers. Treatment must remain within the provider’s scope of practice and follow applicable Workers’ Compensation requirements and Medical Treatment Guidelines. 

If you were injured at work and are experiencing neck pain, back pain, joint pain, muscle pain, or other musculoskeletal symptoms, contact O’Leary Chiropractic to schedule an evaluation.

Work injuries do not only happen during dramatic accidents. Some injuries occur suddenly, while others develop gradually through repetitive physical demands.

Common musculoskeletal complaints may involve the:

• Low back 
• Neck 
• Shoulders 
• Hips 
• Arms and elbows 
• Wrists and hands 
• Knees 
• Muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues 

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders can involve muscles, tendons, nerves, joints, and other supporting structures. Occupational factors such as repetitive activity, forceful exertion, prolonged static loading, and awkward postures can contribute to or aggravate musculoskeletal problems. 

After a workplace injury, your first priority should be your health and safety.

A general approach may include:

1. Report the Injury

Notify your employer or supervisor as soon as possible according to your workplace's procedures.

2. Seek Appropriate Medical Care

If you have a serious injury or medical emergency, seek emergency care immediately.

For non-emergency treatment through the New York Workers’ Compensation system, the treating provider generally must be authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board, subject to specific exceptions and program requirements. 

3. Tell the Provider Your Injury Happened at Work

Providing accurate information about how, when, and where the injury occurred helps ensure appropriate documentation and evaluation.

4. Follow the Appropriate Claim Process

The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board provides information and resources for injured workers regarding claims, medical care, and finding authorized providers.

For case-specific questions, employees should rely on the Workers’ Compensation Board, their employer, insurer, or qualified legal counsel as appropriate.

Your Right to Choose a Workers’ Compensation Provider

In many New York Workers’ Compensation cases, injured workers may receive treatment from a Board-authorized provider who is accepting Workers’ Compensation patients. However, there are exceptions, including certain Preferred Provider Organization and Alternative Dispute Resolution arrangements. 

For NYSIF claims, NYSIF states that use of its medical provider network is voluntary and that an injured worker retains the right to use an appropriately authorized provider, subject to applicable New York Workers’ Compensation rules. 

Because insurance and claim arrangements can vary, our office can help you understand what information is needed before your visit, but we do not provide legal advice.

For appropriately selected patients, chiropractic care can be part of a conservative approach to managing musculoskeletal injuries.

Treatment is individualized based on your diagnosis, symptoms, examination findings, functional limitations, and applicable New York Workers’ Compensation Medical Treatment Guidelines.

Depending on your condition, care may include:

Chiropractic Manual Therapy

When clinically appropriate, manual therapy may be used to address musculoskeletal pain, movement restrictions, and functional limitations.

Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation

Exercise may focus on improving:

• Mobility 
• Strength 
• Muscular endurance 
• Movement control 
• Functional capacity 
• Confidence with daily and work-related activities 

Soft Tissue Treatment

Appropriate soft tissue techniques may be incorporated when muscular or other soft tissue dysfunction is contributing to symptoms.

Education and Self-Management

Understanding your injury, knowing how to modify activities, and progressing safely toward normal function are important components of recovery.

The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board identifies its Medical Treatment Guidelines as the standard of care for work-related injuries and illnesses in the system and states that treatment is expected to conform to those guidelines. 

An on-the-job injury can be stressful, particularly when you are dealing with pain, missed work, insurance questions, and uncertainty about what comes next.

At O’Leary Chiropractic, we provide individualized evaluation and conservative care for appropriate work-related musculoskeletal injuries.

Our approach focuses on:

• Comprehensive evaluation 
• Evidence-informed conservative treatment 
• Functional improvement 
• Therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation 
• Clear clinical documentation 
• Monitoring your progress 
• Coordination or referral when additional care is needed 

Schedule a Workers’ Compensation Injury Evaluation

If you have been injured at work and are experiencing musculoskeletal pain or limitations, contact O’Leary Chiropractic to schedule an evaluation.

Call (518) 793-1205 or request an appointment online.

Serving injured workers in Queensbury, Glens Falls, Lake George, Hudson Falls, and the surrounding Adirondack region.