Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are pathological injuries to the bones, ligaments, joints, muscles, nerves, and vascular system which can affect the overall function of the human body. Work-related MSDs (WMSDs) are injuries to the musculoskeletal system occurring in the workplace, due to the environment, caused by repetitive motions such as bending, crawling, twisting, lifting, pushing, and pulling. WMSDs have been classified by the World Health Organization in two categories: acute and chronic injuries. Acute injuries are those that have occurred recently and may require immediate care from a health care professional. Chronic injuries happen slowly over time and lead to lingering soreness and discomfort within the body; care from a health care professional is also indicated, depending on the nature and severity of the chronic injury, and whether or not it influences performance in the work place (1).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018), (6) reported that in the private workplace industry there were approximately 2.9 million nonfatal injuries in the workplace in 2016. Thirty percent of those injuries were classified as sprains, strains, and tears resulting from overexertion injuries. The next logical step to address these concerns is to focus on assigning a healthcare professional who specializes in workplace safety, ergonomics, and treatment of both MSDs and WMSDs (1).
Physical therapists are in a distinct situation to help aide this growing epidemic. Physical therapists can prevent and treat musculoskeletal conditions within the population through education, ergonomics training, workplace safety modifications, exercise prescription and monitoring, and hands-on manual interventions (2).
Ergonomics is described as preparing the worker to be able to perform work tasks safely with the aim of reducing costs from employers, increasing productivity in the workplace, decreasing WMSDs, and decreasing overall absenteeism with workers (3). On-site physical therapy treatment including ergonomic education, training, and exercise, have been shown to be very cost effective, with employees spending significantly less money on health care costs when seeking treatment and advice on-site compared with offsite treatments (4,5)
- Prall, Joshua, and Michael Ross. “The management of work-related musculoskeletal injuries in an occupational health setting: the role of the physical therapist.” Journal of exercise rehabilitation 15.2 (2019): 193.
- Bezner JR. Promoting health and wellness: implications for physical therapist practice. Phys Ther 2015;95:1433-1444. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employer related workplace injuries and illnesses – 2016 [Internet]. Washington, DC: U.S.
- Pikaar RN. Case studies–ergonomics in projects. Work 2012;41 Suppl 1: 5892-5898
- Cecil R, Ross M. Effective worksite strategies and interventions to increase physical activity in sedentary workforce populations: the role of the physical therapists. Orthop Phys Ther Pract 2017;29:56-62
- Tompa E, Dolinschi R, de Oliveira C, Amick BC 3rd, Irvin E. A systematic review of workplace ergonomic interventions with economic analyses. J Occup Rehabil 2010;20:220-234.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics; c2018 [cited 2017 Nov 9]. Available from: https://www.bls.gov/ news.release/archives/osh_11092017.pdf