About Musculoskeletal Disorders

A quarter of the adult UK population suffer from a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) which often causes joint or muscle pain, stiffness, limited mobility affecting their quality of life, mental health and independence.

Joint and muscle problems often develop over time and are one of the most common work-related health issues. They affect 14.9 million people nationally¹ and account for 30% of all work-related ill-health cases.²

MSDs are injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs. Some common MSDs include lower back pain, ligament injuries, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, but there are over 200 musculoskeletal conditions that can occur in all parts of the body, including the neck and lower back, upper and lower limbs. Pain caused by MSDs can be episodic or chronic and can progress from mild to severe if left untreated.

While MSDs aren't life-threatening, they can significantly affect a sufferer's physical and mental wellbeing. The implications can be far-reaching into their personal life, such as becoming more dependent on others, making socialising and participating in activities difficult and putting a strain on relationships.

Losing work or having to take early retirement is also a common concern. In fact, only 59% of people of working age with a musculoskeletal condition are in work.³

The epidemic of MSDs is undeniable: conditions caused or made worse by work cost an estimated 8.9 million in sick days² and in 2019 in the UK, 28 million working days were lost due to all musculoskeletal problems.

Read more about the prevalence of MSDs and their financial impact in this article

Work-related MSDs are common in a wide range of industries including manufacturing and logistics, but they are most prevalent within construction, health and social work activities and food and rural industries, as reported by Health and Safety Executive. Rates are highest among skilled trades occupations, caring, leisure and other service occupations, and process, plant and machine operatives.

Any activity can be problematic for those with an underlying biomechanical issue, but the main factors causing MSDs in work settings include:

• Manual handling/heavy lifting
• Working in awkward or tiring positions
• Work that doesn’t allow sufficient time for recovery
• Force which is concentrated on small parts of the body such as the hand or wrist
• Continual repetitive work

Modern living has a significant impact on the human body. In everyday life, people aren't as physically active and obesity levels are rising. Put simply; we aren’t moving as much as we should be.

The environment we now live in is not conducive to how our bodies function. While we're generally less physically active, more strain is put on certain joints and muscles through repetitive actions both at work and in our personal lives. And all of this can take its toll on the body.

Our joints, nerves and muscles all work together to create movement, and if one section doesn't work correctly, it overloads another and can cause pain. For example, if the pelvis does not function as intended, we become more susceptible to back and knee injuries too.

Read more about biomechanical function and the effects of a modern lifestyle in this post

How Employers Can Reduce Workplace MSD Injuries

Employers not only have a responsibility by law under the Health and Safety at Work Act to keep their staff safe and well, but there are also clear tangible financial and productivity benefits to managing and preventing MSDs.

To help take care of their staff, employers need to be well-informed about the situations and activities contributing to MSDs in their workforce to minimise the risk. This includes a full risk assessment and talking to staff about their job demands, everyday tasks and associated aches and pains.

• Adapt Work Techniques
  Find the best way to complete a job or activity while removing or decreasing the risk. Think about how repetitive the task is, how fast it’s done and the load on the body. Consider if there’s helpful equipment that’s worth investing in to take some strain off employees.
• Employee Training
  Helping employees understand MSDs can empower them to take proactive steps to prevent them and quickly address any issues.
• Prevention and Treatment Programmes
  As well as encouraging staff to take regular breaks and allowing enough time for their body to recover, many MSDs can be prevented in the first place through staying active and doing regular exercise. When employees have underlying biomechanical issues, offering effective management and preventative exercise programmes are vital in looking after staff.

How Individuals Can Boost their Biomechanical Fitness

Seeking advice from a GP is important for anyone in pain or discomfort, but there are also plenty of ways to tackle and prevent MSD pain at home and at work.

• Adapting at Work
  Experiencing MSD pain in the workplace is common, but employers are responsible for their staff’s safety and minimising risk. Consider what changes could help reduce pain and speak to HR
• Living a Healthy Lifestyle
  Eating well and staying active with regular exercise, strength building and stretching can help keep joints supple and the body healthy
• Recognising Pain and Injury
  Listening to your body and taking the proper time to recover can be hugely beneficial in the long-term
• Taking Regular Breaks
  Repetitive movement and inactivity, like sitting for long periods, all contribute to MSDs. Remember to take regular work breaks by either resting or moving and stretching every hour or so.
• Maintain Good Posture
  Having poor posture and poor manual handling techniques can overwork your body and strain your muscles and tendons, resulting in a whole host of issues including bank and neck pain, muscle fatigue, headaches and body aches and pains

While the risk of developing an MSD increases with age due to the natural deterioration of muscles, bones, and joints, they're by no means inevitable. With the correct steps and treatment, many MSDs can be prevented and managed for a better quality of life.