The Most Common Work Injuries We Treat in Rhode Island (And What to Expect)

Work injuries come in all forms. Some happen in a single moment — a car accident on the job, a fall, a sudden lift. Others develop gradually over time from repetitive strain or poor ergonomics.

Whatever the mechanism, one thing is consistent: the injury needs to be properly evaluated and documented from the start.

At Cityside Chiropractic, we treat the full spectrum of work-related injuries at our Providence and Cranston locations. Here are the most common ones we see — and what you can expect when you come in.

Back and Spine Injuries

Back injuries are the most common work injury in Rhode Island and across the country. They occur in virtually every industry — from warehouse and construction work to office jobs and healthcare.

Common presentations include herniated or bulging discs, lumbar strain, and facet joint injury. Symptoms range from localized low back pain to radiating pain, numbness, or weakness into the legs.

At Cityside, we evaluate back injuries with spinal imaging analysis and objective range of motion measurement. This gives us a clear picture of what happened structurally and how it is affecting your function — not just how much it hurts.

Neck Injuries

Neck injuries at work often result from a motor vehicle accident on the job, a slip and fall, or a sudden jarring movement. They can also develop from sustained poor posture at a workstation over time.

Whiplash-type injuries are particularly common after work-related car accidents. The forces involved in even a low-speed collision can cause significant soft tissue and ligamentous injury that does not always show up on standard imaging.

We evaluate neck injuries with cervical range of motion assessment, postural imaging analysis, and balance testing to identify any neurological involvement that may not be immediately obvious.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries frequently occur in jobs that involve repetitive overhead work, heavy lifting, or sustained awkward positioning. Rotator cuff strain, impingement, and acromioclavicular joint injury are among the most common presentations we see.

These injuries are often underestimated early on. Proper objective evaluation — including functional range of motion testing and, where indicated, musculoskeletal ultrasound — documents the true extent of the injury and establishes a clear clinical baseline for your claim.

Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive strain injuries develop over time from performing the same motion repeatedly — typing, assembly line work, scanning, stocking shelves, or operating machinery. The wrist, elbow, and shoulder are the most commonly affected areas.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral epicondylitis, and rotator cuff tendinopathy are frequent diagnoses in this category. Because these injuries develop gradually, documentation of onset, progression, and functional impact is especially important for workers comp purposes.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries

Falls are among the most serious work injuries and can affect multiple regions of the body simultaneously. A fall on a hard surface can produce spinal injury, shoulder injury, and head trauma in a single event.

When multiple areas are involved, a thorough evaluation is critical. We assess each affected region separately and document findings across the full scope of the injury — which matters significantly when your claim involves more than one body part.

Head and Concussive Injuries

Work-related head injuries — from falls, struck-by events, or motor vehicle accidents on the job — can produce symptoms that are not always immediately recognized as concussion-related. Headaches, difficulty concentrating, balance problems, and visual disturbances may appear hours or days after the event.

At Cityside, we include neurocognitive screening and balance assessment when a head impact may have occurred. These objective tools detect functional changes that standard exams often miss and are essential for documenting the neurological impact of the injury.

What to Expect When You Come In

Regardless of the injury type, your first visit at Cityside follows the same structure. We take a detailed injury history, perform a comprehensive objective examination using advanced diagnostic tools, and produce a clear clinical documentation report. After your first visit, we determine whether continued care is appropriate and handle all workers comp billing, authorization, and carrier communication on your behalf.

You don’t need to know exactly which injury category you fall into before you call. That’s what the evaluation is for.

Not Sure If Your Injury Qualifies?

Most work injuries are covered under workers compensation — including injuries that happened during a work-related car accident, on a job site, or even at an off-site location while performing work duties.

If you were hurt at work and you’re not sure where to start, call us. We’ll walk you through it.

Call us at (401) 272-5710 or visit either location:

• Providence: 480 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909

• Cranston: 900 Reservoir Ave, Cranston, RI 02910

Cityside Chiropractic serves injured workers and motor vehicle accident patients throughout Rhode Island.

Mark Mulak, DC, MBA, MS, DACBSP®, DACRB, DAIPM, RMSK®, ICSC — Expert Witness Qualified.