You would think that injuries associated with high performance training regimes would affect only professional sportspeople, not everyday people in the workplace.  However, there are a growing group of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that have been creeping into everyday lives and for some, making work unbearable. 

Work-related MSDs are a group of painful disorders that can affect the body’s muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves.  The effects worsen over time and are caused either by the work itself or by an employee’s working environment.  Repetitive strain injuries, repetitive motion injuries, cumulative trauma or soft tissue disorders are probably more familiar names for MSDs.  All involve some kind of arm or hand movements such as bending, straightening, gripping, holding, twisting or reaching.  None are particularly harmful in daily life but what makes them so hazardous is the continual repetition, sometimes in a forceful manner.

Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that MSDs and related injuries cost society more than £5.7 billion. The most worrying thing about MSDs is that they can affect workers in almost every occupation and prove a long-term problem for the individuals involved, as well as their employers. Not all MSDs are preventable but there are plenty of ways of reducing the risks in the workplace and lots of techniques to minimise working days lost from it.

Preventing MSDs
Prevention is better than cure and early diagnosis of an MSD-related condition prevents one developing into anything more serious.  Spotting an issue in its infancy could also mean a slight change in a job or its set-up that minimises repetitive or excessive actions. In addition, every workplace should carry out some sort of health and safety risk assessment to highlight any potential problems as well as advice on how to avoid them.  For most employees this will cover any tasks that involve lifting, the immediate working environment and use of any machinery.

Just keep on moving
Keep moving and exercise to maintain suppleness and flexibility.  If you’re deskbound physiotherapists will talk about ‘active-sitting’ which simply means being active at the desk.  The knees and back are the main areas of concern so make sure they move or have a break for a workout. Stretching is beneficial as it promotes circulation and reduces muscle tension.  However, people that already have a pre-existing condition should consult a doctor before adding workplace exercise to the daily routine.

Exercise and regular activity also happen to be one of the best tonics for overstressed-workers.  Make sure everyone gets involved.  Different exercises appeal to different people so as an employer offer a variety of sports that appeal to everyone i.e. badminton, football, yoga, zumba, etc. People also need to be reminded that everyone benefits from being up and active, so encourage employees to move around their environment (within reason).

Posturing
It sounds rather dull but organising your desk space into the optimum position will work wonders.  The wrong desk set-up and awkwardly arranged computer equipment cause injuries and pain associated with the neck, shoulder, back and arm, as well as fatigue with eyestrain.

Almost everyone will suffer back pain at some point, but poor working practices can cause serious problems that lead to long-term injuries.  The prevention of back problems requires careful management.  Always report any problems as early as possible and seek medical advice. People suffering from mild back pain are advised by medical experts to stay as active as possible because most problems will get better on their own. Any risks associated with a particular job should have been identified by risk assessment but following the right procedures around lifting, posture and working patterns should reduce the risks.

Health and wellbeing is well worth the effort
It’s in everyone’s interest for staff to be healthy and productive.  Research shows that looking after your workforce actually saves money, so it is important that employers recognise these benefits. With many people now working until later in life, employees should be encouraged to develop and maintain the healthy habits to give themselves the best possible chance of staying well in work for longer.

MSDs are common, costly and painful for both people and businesses.  MSDs can be debilitating and long-term so employers need to create an environment where people feel comfortable to disclose their condition or concerns, making it easy to seek help. For those with an MSD the condition can be improved by eliminating repetitiveness in the daily routine.  Surgery is not always the best answer so consider regular exercise, physiotherapy or even anti-inflammatory injections to alleviate pain.

The earlier treatment is given and the problem managed then a disabling condition could be prevented. Actively managing an MSD through specialist occupational physiotherapy can have a transformational effect for both employers and employees, while a relationship with a healthcare partner can give you an insight into how others have managed the problem within a budget.
www.healthinsurancegroup.co.uk