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.

香蕉视频直播淭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,香蕉视频直播� says Darrell Skinner, an instructor in Okanagan College香蕉视频直播檚 Therapist Assistant program. 香蕉视频直播淚njury is unfortunately sometimes expected with such physical work, but we wanted to examine possible preventative strategies.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淢ore than 30 per cent of tree planters have tendonitis,香蕉视频直播� says Mike McAlonan, owner of Total Physio. 香蕉视频直播淎nd it香蕉视频直播檚 likely under-reported as planters don香蕉视频直播檛 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.香蕉视频直播�

Rather than treating tendonitis post-injury, Skinner and McAlonan香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淭his is the first time I香蕉视频直播檝e been part of an applied research project,香蕉视频直播� says McAlonan. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 been exciting working with Okanagan College on a project that will hopefully have a positive impact in the industry.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淭his is an important component to our economy and also supports the environment,香蕉视频直播� 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, Windfirm香蕉视频直播檚 physiotherapy provider.

香蕉视频直播淢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,香蕉视频直播� says Zapisocki. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 made a big difference, and it香蕉视频直播檒l be great for the province once word gets out.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a great feeling when a crew member comes up to me and says thank you,香蕉视频直播� says Skinner. 香蕉视频直播淭hey tell me that they feel their work and health are both valued.香蕉视频直播�

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 College香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淚 was interested in the practical training at Okanagan College, and became interested in this project as part of my education. It香蕉视频直播檚 helping me prepare for the real world,香蕉视频直播� says Lemke. 香蕉视频直播淭he idea of preventive taping has not been well researched. Most of it is sports-related, not worker-related.香蕉视频直播�

Riley Orchard, another Therapist Assistant student will be helping with further analysis of the research results this fall.