Musculoskeletal Disorders from Repetitive Work — How to File a Workers' Compensation Claim
Table of Contents
Repetitive work damages the body
Performing the same motion repeatedly over long periods causes chronic damage to accumulate in muscles, tendons, and joints. This is called Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), and common conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, and herniated lumbar discs.
Frequently affected occupations
- Office workers: Wrist pain, neck and shoulder stiffness from prolonged computer use
- Manufacturing/production workers: Wrist and elbow disorders from repetitive assembly and packaging tasks
- Transport workers: Lumbar disc herniation and sciatica from prolonged driving
- Nurses and care workers: Lower back and shoulder injuries from moving patients and handling heavy items
- Construction workers: Joint disorders from carrying heavy materials and using vibrating tools
Criteria for workers' compensation approval
To have a musculoskeletal disorder approved as a work-related accident, the following three points must be established.
- The condition must be medically diagnosed
- The work must involve hazardous factors such as repetitive motions, excessive force, or unnatural postures
- A causal relationship between the work hazards and the disorder must be established
The role of Korean medicine treatment
For work-related musculoskeletal disorders, Korean medicine clinics provide combined therapy — acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, chuna manipulation, and herbal medicine — to relieve pain and restore function. Especially for mild to moderate injuries that do not require surgery, conservative Korean medicine treatment alone can produce satisfactory results.
Don't delay if you have symptoms
Musculoskeletal disorders begin with mild pain but can become chronic and impair daily life if neglected. If you experience repeated pain at work for more than 2 weeks, we recommend consulting a doctor about treatment and the possibility of filing a workers' compensation claim.