A recent study on “work-related musculoskeltal disorders among Nigerian physiotherapists” echos numerous other studies…

PTs are prone to work-related injuries.

The latest study, published in BMC Musculoskeltal Disorders notes the following statistics on the prevelence of work related musculoskeletal injuries by country:

• Australia: 55-91% experience some type of injury
• Canada: 49% experience low back pain
• Kuwait: 70% experience low back pain
• Nigeria: 69.8% experience low back pain
• Turkey: 85% experience some type of injury
• United Kingdom: 68% experience some type of injury
• United States: 45-62% experience low back pain

Work factors that contribute to injury:

• treating a large number of patients in one day
• working in the same position for a long period of time
• lifting or transferring dependent patients
• performing manual therapy techniques

Interestingly, new grads and younger therapists (<30 years old) were more prone to injury usually due to poor body mechanics.

Let’s talk about how you avoid work-related injuries.