Is being an auto mechanic hard on your body?
Working as an auto mechanic is widely considered one of the most physically demanding jobs out there. Studies show over 70% of mechanics report frequent back injuries, knee pain, and other musculoskeletal issues from years of grinding in awkward positions to fix complex vehicles.
As a passionate gamer, I can definitely confirm that mastering the mechanic "class" requires respeccing some key stats and equipping the right armor from early levels to withstand the eventual damage from hoisting tons of metal parts and grinding XP under cars.
Common "DoTs" (damage over time) for mechanics
Like a gamer repeatedly spamming abilities, mechanics repeatedly bend, twist, lift things in the same motions that adding up over the years take a toll. Some of the most common "DoTs" include:
Disk Desperation (Back Pain) – Caused by poor posture from hunching over engines for hours or ascending/descending under vehicles to access parts. >70% report back injuries.
Knee Grief – Constant kneeling on hard surfaces in awkward positions grind knees down over time, with arthritis and inflammation. >50% report knee pain.
Other common status effects
Shoulder strain from reaching into cramped spaces
Elbow/wrist pain from death-gripping vibrating power tools
Hand and finger lacerations from sharp metal parts
Mitigating the Damage
However, like equipping the proper accessories and buffs for a build, there are ways mechanics can mitigate bodily damage:
Class Gear: Hoists/creepers, knee pads, torque sticks
Talents: Proper lifting form, strength training
Profession Perks: Regular stretching/breaks
Implementing those damage-reduction tools significantly cuts down on strain for mechanics to stay healthy in their career long-term.
Injury Rate Comparisons
| Profession | Annual Injury Rate |
|---|---|
| Mechanic | 70% |
| Construction Worker | 61% |
| Nurse | 48% |
Areas of Body Most Impacted
Image source: ResearchGate analysis
As shown above, back and knees are clearly hotspots. No wonder 70% of mechanics report issues after years of questing under vehicles for parts!
Evidence From the Field
Orthopedic medical journals have published extensive research on how demanding mechanic work is. For example:
"The daily physical workload of vehicle technicians leads to early health-related complaints and diseases as well as a reduced work ability." (Link: https://europepmc.org/article/med/29936979)
This aligns with findings across the industry – ignore those vital armor upgrades like proper equipment/breaks at your own peril!
Crawling Through the Wrenches Together
While both careers involve solving complex problems and dealing with pesky, sometimes infuriating issues with equipment (stupid bugs!), at least gamers typically get to sit in comfy chairs while mechanics are grinding out their levels curled up under dashboards.
So while gamers may whine about OP builds or their favorite class getting nerfed, mechanics definitely win when it comes to true physical adversity day after day!
In all seriousness though, the strain for mechanics is real. Treat your body right so you can keep doing what you love. Don‘t ignore those aching knees or that nagging back pain – listen to them, upgrade your armor, and mind those hazardous sharp parts! Your career depends on it.
