Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) like low back pain, neck strain, and repetitive strain injuries are among the most common occupational ailments. Fortunately, there are ways of treating each of these.
This guide covers clinically backed treatments and remedies, emphasizing both traditional medical options as well as alternatives like chiropractic care. Its goal is to help injured workers in Anchorage, Alaska navigate treatment options and choose the right provider for faster recovery and a quicker return to work.
I. Employer-Sponsored/Occupational Health Clinics
A. On-Site Physical Therapy & Ergonomics
The first treatment option is on-site physical therapy and ergonomic training. Essentially, this means arming workers with knowledge and PT tools at the workplace. Such preparation allows for immediate assessment and intervention to prevent or help heal a workplace injury. This usually consists of manual therapy, exercise, and a few ergonomic workstation modifications.
A review of literature on PubMed found that multiple case studies confirm reduced pain and improved function after on-site PT and ergonomic training.1
The best places to go for such include employer-hosted occupational health centers, and corporate wellness/ergonomic programs. The following locations in Anchorage, AK that have such programs or centers include:
- Advanced Physical Therapy
- Better Health Alaska
- Empower Physical Therapy
B. On-Site Chiropractic Care
Another option to explore for work injury treatment in Anchorage, AK is on-site chiropractic care. These are programs that offer early spinal or extremity manipulations, soft tissue work, ergonomic advice, and return-to-work support.
This allows injured workers to return to work more quickly. In fact, according to the BCMJ journal multiple case reports have shown higher return-to-work rates and faster functional improvements with chiropractic-involved care.2
The best places to find on site chiropractic treatment are at on-site chiropractor programs that are often integrated in occupational health or workers’ compensation systems. In Anchorage, AK you can find such at:
II. Outpatient Clinics
A. Physical Therapy / Sports Rehab Clinics
The next option for outpatient work-related care would be physical therapy and/or sports rehab clinics.These offer progressive therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and return-to-work protocols.
The best place to find outpatient physical therapy or sports rehab care is at PT or sports rehab clinics with occupational injury experience. Places in Anchorage that meet that description include:
- Wise Physical Therapy
- Better Health Alaska
- United Physical Therapy
- Rebound Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy
B. Chiropractic or Integrative Clinics
Another outpatient source of relief can come from chiropractic or integrative clinics. These offer spinal adjustments, mobilization, soft tissue therapy, education, and ergonomic consultation. In addition to professional medical advice, they can give hands-on treatment that brings relief.
A good place to look for this type of treatment is a licensed chiropractor specializing in work injury care or participating in workers’ compensation panels. In Anchorage, AK, one such chiropractic office is:
- Better Health Alaska
III. Medical & Pain Management Offices
A. Primary Care / Occupational Medicine Physicians
Another place that can help deal with a work injury is a primary care provider or an occupational medicine physician. These healthcare specialists can help with diagnosing, making referrals for imaging, prescribing medications like NSAIDs and/or muscle relaxants, and coordinating overall care.
Note, however, that heavy-hitting medications like opioids can not only prolong disability, but be a source of disability themselves. Additionally, keep in mind that coordinated care often includes referral to rehab and non-pharmacologic therapies.
This type of care is available at family physicians, occupational medicine clinics, and community health centers. Providers of such in Anchorage include:
- Providence Primary Care – Anchorage
- Primary Care Associates – Huffman
- Medical Park Family Care
B. Pain Specialists / PM&R Clinics
Next on our list are pain specialists and PM&R clinics. These providers offer image-guided injections, advanced pain management, and functional restoration plans. In some situations, targeted interventions, like these, reduce pain and allow return-to-work when more conservative measures have failed.
You can find these services at private pain clinics and hospital-based rehabilitation programs. In Anchorage, the following list should help you:
- Advanced Pain Center – Alaska
- AA Spine and Pain Clinic
- Alpenglow Pain and Wellness
IV. Specialty Surgical Centers
A. Orthopedic or Neurosurgical Consultation
Up next are orthopedic or neurosurgical consultations. These can provide surgical evaluation for fractures, severe disc herniations, nerve compression, or non-healing injuries. A timely surgical interventional can often prevent the development of a chronic disability. However, many work-related injuries do not require surgery.
The best places to go for this kind of treatment are hospital-based spine and orthopedic surgery centers, particularly those integrated with workers’ comp systems. In Anchorage, the following list of centers are good options:
- Orthopedic Physicians Alaska (OPA)
- Schumacher Orthopedics
- Alaska Fracture and Orthopedic Clinic
V. Coordinated Workers’ Compensation Programs
A. Integrated Care Pathways
The last option to consider are integrated care pathways (ICPs). These are medical care plans that allow access to specialists from multiple disciplines for the same patient and their respective condition. An ICP works by streamlining access to PT, chiropractic, pain management, and other specialists by coordinating care through a single case manager.
The best place to find an ICP is a workers’ compensation-directed network, or an employer or insurer-sponsored managed care program.
VI. Where to Go: Care Map
Below is a chart summarizing the type of injury and the suggested provider to deal with said injury.
| Injury Presentation | Suggested Provider(s) |
| Mild-to-moderate WMSDs | On-site PT, on-site chiropractic, outpatient PT |
| Mechanical back/neck issues | Chiropractors (adjustment + rehabilitation) |
| Persistent or severe injury | Pain specialists, PM&R physicians |
| Imaging or surgical need | Occupational medicine, orthopedic/neurosurgical centers |
| Formal workers compensation claim | Integrated workers’ compensation networks |
Conclusion
Ultimately, workplace injuries require a multimodal, provider-tailored approach. Both physical therapy and chiropractic care are supported by evidence for faster recovery and return to work.3 Essentially, a combined occupational health model (PT + chiropractic + medical oversight) ensures better outcomes and streamlined care.
Here at Better Health Alaska, we offer PT, chiropractic, and other treatment options for both work and non-work related injuries. So, reach out to us to make an appointment or to get more information. We’re here to help!
Studies and Sources:
- Prall, J., Ross, M., “The management of work-related musculoskeletal injuries in an occupational health setting: the role of the physical therapist,” PubMed: Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 2019 Apr 26;15(2):193–199
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6509454/ - Quon, J. DC. MHSc. PhD, FCCSC, “Chiropractic treatment for injured workers,” BCMJ, vol. 55, No. 9, November 2013, pgs. 432-433, WorkSafeBC
https://bcmj.org/worksafebc/chiropractic-treatment-injured-workers - Hurwitz, E. L., et al., “A randomized trial of chiropractic and medical care for patients with low back pain: eighteen-month follow-up outcomes from the UCLA low back pain study,” PubMed: Spine, 2006 Mar 15;31(6):611-21;
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16540862/
