A chance meeting with a physiotherapist in Northern B.C. has led an Okanagan College instructor to a collaborative research project that examines common injuries in a distinct industry: tree planting.
91裸聊视频淭here are thousands of tree planters in the province, and while we may think of repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, or tennis elbow, imagine planting up to 2,500 trees each day for a number of months,91裸聊视频� says Darrell Skinner, an instructor in Okanagan College91裸聊视频檚 Therapist Assistant program. 91裸聊视频淚njury is unfortunately sometimes expected with such physical work, but we wanted to examine possible preventative strategies.91裸聊视频�
Bringing together a team of students, and with the support and expertise of the owner and staff of Total Physiotherapy in Houston, BC, Skinner is leading research into taping hands and wrists to prevent tendonitis in tree planters.
91裸聊视频淢ore than 30 per cent of tree planters have tendonitis,91裸聊视频� says Mike McAlonan, owner of Total Physio. 91裸聊视频淎nd it91裸聊视频檚 likely under-reported as planters don91裸聊视频檛 wish to take days off and lose income. Tree planters are like athletes. They have a short season to work, so we manage them like athletes to keep them going until the season comes to an end.91裸聊视频�
Rather than treating tendonitis post-injury, Skinner and McAlonan91裸聊视频檚 research focuses on prevention. Control and test groups of planters are being closely monitored to determine if a specific form of taping may help prevent injury.
91裸聊视频淭his is the first time I91裸聊视频檝e been part of an applied research project,91裸聊视频� says McAlonan. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been exciting working with Okanagan College on a project that will hopefully have a positive impact in the industry.91裸聊视频�
According to the B.C. Council of Forest Industries, in 2015-16, the forest industry in B.C. generated $833 million in direct public revenue, $12.9 billion in product exports, and trees planted in B.C. captured two billion tonnes of carbon.
91裸聊视频淭his is an important component to our economy and also supports the environment,91裸聊视频� notes Skinner.
Windfirm Resources, based in Smithers, conducts tree planting in two camps. Each season, around 150 workers plant 12 million trees. Operations manager and field supervisor Ryan Zapisocki became involved in the injury prevention research through Total Physio, Windfirm91裸聊视频檚 physiotherapy provider.
91裸聊视频淢ike has trained our first aid and crew members to do the taping, and the planters are now learning how to recognize the symptoms and prevent injury. Our veterans (those who have returned for several seasons), are almost injury free now. Everyone loves it,91裸聊视频� says Zapisocki. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 made a big difference, and it91裸聊视频檒l be great for the province once word gets out.91裸聊视频�
Skinner and McAlonan has visited several tree planting camps this spring, and so far the research is showing great potential to help reduce tendonitis in planters in B.C. and beyond. Many tree planters have thanked them for coming up with the project.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a great feeling when a crew member comes up to me and says thank you,91裸聊视频� says Skinner. 91裸聊视频淭hey tell me that they feel their work and health are both valued.91裸聊视频�
The project is funded by an Engage Grant from NSERC, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Student involvement, in addition to working with industry partners, is a key component of applied research at the College. Two students from the College91裸聊视频檚 Therapist Assistant program are lending a hand with the project.
Alisha Lemke, who graduated from the program last month, has been assisting with literature research and compiling prior related research throughout the project.
91裸聊视频淚 was interested in the practical training at Okanagan College, and became interested in this project as part of my education. It91裸聊视频檚 helping me prepare for the real world,91裸聊视频� says Lemke. 91裸聊视频淭he idea of preventive taping has not been well researched. Most of it is sports-related, not worker-related.91裸聊视频�
Riley Orchard, another Therapist Assistant student will be helping with further analysis of the research results this fall.
