Commercial

Every year, an average of 7 working days are lost per employee per year and more than a third of those are work related musculoskeletal disorders. It is estimated that it costs the company an average of 9% of total payroll costs.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common occupational illness in Great Britain, affecting more than 1.0 million people a year. They include problems such as low back pain, joint injuries and repetitive strain injuries of various sorts.

Back disorders are the most common form of ill health at work.

What can lead to back pain in the work place?

Back pain can arise in many work situations. The exact cause is often unclear, but back pain is more common in tasks that involve:

• Sitting at a workstation for a long period of time if the workstation is not correctly arranged or adjusted to        fit  the person, e.g. working with computers;

• Driving long distances or driving over rough ground, particularly if the seat is not, or cannot be, properly            adjusted or adequately sprung. Operating heavy equipment, such as an excavator, can lead to excessive        jolting and jarring;

• Carrying laptops, briefcases or handbags in the same manner all the time can lead to postural                           compensation;

• Heavy manual labour, and handling tasks in heavy industry;

• Manual handling in awkward places, like delivery work;

• Repetitive tasks, such as manual packing of goods;

• Postural strain due to prolonged periods in one position.

Cost to the Economy

Norwich Union Healthcare published (in 2001) a study showing the average employee is off-work sick for almost 7 days each year.

The Confederation Of British Industry and PPP healthcare survey 'Pulling together - 2001 absence and labour turnover survey' also found similar results. They found that on average 7.8 days are lost per employee per year.

How can we help?

Osteopaths are concerned not only with trying to alleviate patients’ pain and other symptoms, but also with trying to help prevent problems recurring. Treatments are a co-operation between the practitioner and the patient and they are encouraged to participate in proactive health management. Preventative osteopathic care may include the prescription of exercise programs, provision of ergonomic and postural advice, and dietary and general lifestyle advice.

By working with Osteo-Clinic, the company can provide:

• On-site access to Osteopaths;

• Risk assessment is carried out by a fully qualified osteopath;

• Prompt treatment of injuries;

• Proactive approach – sort out the problem before it becomes chronic;

• Management of absence assisted by experts - with the injured person's consent the osteopath sends the        company a detailed report to aid it in assisting the injured person back to work;

• People-centred service;

• Advice on work-ergonomics e.g. correcting sitting postures, lifting techniques and advice on tell-tale signs of      MSDs.

For more information contact us.