Musculoskeletal disorders, including back pain and arthritis, are the leading cause of worker disability, according to research findings from the Council for Disability Awareness (CDA).
In their annual report, the CDA revealed data about American workers claiming Social Security Disability Insurance in addition to more than 32 million workers covered by major insurance companies.
They found that musculoskeletal disorders were involved in 34% of workers' cases claiming social security benefits and over 30% of workers making private insurance claims.
Private insurers awarded $9.4 million to workers in 2012, which was a slight increase from 2011. However, the number of people seeking new claims decreased, likely due to an improving economy. In regard to social security claims, the number of new claims also decreased; however, the number of people receiving social security has reached an all-time high of 8.8 million Americans, 5% of our country's workforce.
The report also revealed a dramatic increase of musculoskeletal conditions among workers, with the number of people receiving social security quadrupling since 1960. This growth is most likely due to the increased age of the working population. The CDA report showed that 57% of disability insurance claimants were over the age of 50.
No matter your age, if you have musculoskeletal pain that prevents you from working, we can help. At Oregon Medical Centers in Aloha/ Beaverton, we have helped hundreds of our patients return to their jobs and livelihood. For more information, give our office a call today.
Reference
The 2013 Council for Disability Awareness Long-term Disability Claims Review. Council for Disability Awareness. Accessed June 18, 2013. http://www.disabilitycanhappen.org/research/CDA_LTD_Claims_Survey_2013.asp.
Dr. Bhasin grew up in Southern California and did her undergraduate work in pre-med at California State University Northridge, as well as Humboldt State University in California. Dr. Bhasin attended the University of Western States in Portland Oregon where she earned her Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. Dr. Bhasin has passed her National boards and her State Boards. Dr. Bhasin loves helping people and finds great joy helping injured people get out of pain and get their life back again. She has helped thousands of patients.
