Massage Therapist Injuries at Work

Health care workers can be at risk of many forms of injuries, and they can be exposed to various diseases and substances that can result in severe harm. While health care workers in certain places may be at greater risk of life-threatening injuries than others, it is important to remember that all healthcare employees can sustain injuries and can contract diseases that can be debilitating, and for which they may be eligible for workers’ compensation coverage. Massage therapists are a kind of health care worker, and they regularly “treat clients by applying pressure to manipulate the body’s soft tissues and joints . . . to relieve pain, heal injuries, relieve stress, and aid in the general wellness of clients,” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In performing required job duties, massage therapists can sustain injuries. Our South Florida workers’ compensation attorneys can provide you with additional information, and a lawyer at our firm can speak with you today about your claim.

Common Job Duties of Massage Therapists 

In order to understand how massage therapists can sustain injuries on the job, it is important to learn more about massage therapists duties. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites the following as common tasks for massage therapists in Florida and across the country:

• Discussing client medical histories, symptoms, and treatment needs and goals;
• Evaluating a client to identify specifics of treatment;
• Manipulating a clients muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues;
• Using mobilization techniques on clients to increase their range of motion;
• Assisting clients with exercises for stretching, strengthening, and relaxing;
• Documenting techniques and treatments used during a client session;
• Engaging in regular contact with a client’s skin; and
• Cleaning and sanitizing treatment areas.

In performing these tasks, massage therapists can develop certain traumatic and repetitive motion injuries themselves affecting their muscles and ligaments, such as sprains and strains, as well as certain stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. Given that massage therapists must use cleaning and sanitizing products, they can also sustain injuries due to contact with cleaning substances. As professionals who are in skin-to-skin contact with clients, massage therapists can also be exposed to communicable diseases from client skin, such as infectious diseases like impetigo, ringworm, fungal infections, scabies, and warts. Like other employees who must be on their feet for extended periods of time, massage therapists can also get hurt on trips and fall or slip and fall injuries, and they can also develop back pain.

Contact Our Sunshine Workers’ Compensation Lawyers 

Massage therapy can be difficult work, and it can also expose massage therapists to a range of injury risks and communicable diseases. If you got hurt while working at a spa or a massage therapy center, it is important to get in touch with an experienced Sunrise workers’ compensation attorney at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. who can help you to seek workers’ compensation coverage. Florida law requires all non-construction industry employers with four or more employees to provide coverage to their workers, so most part-time or full-time massage therapist employees are eligible for workers’ compensation through the Florida system. Our firm can provide you with more information today and can assist you with your workers’ compensation claim.

Sources:

bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm#tab-2

myfloridacfo.com/division/wc/employer/coverage-requirements#:~:text=Employers%20with%20one%20or%20more,must%20have%20workers’%20compensation%20coverage