Reports show that up to 30 million working days are lost each year due to MSK issues. Our data shows us that musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders amongst employees increased last year with statistics showing that this was the likely cause of 10.5% of workplace absences or 22% of long term absences. Data from the NHS England shows that over 20 million people in the UK have a MSK condition, that’s a third of the population,.
Spotting the signs
Joint stiffness, muscle tightness, back pain, arm strain, pins and needles and even numbness can all be signs of MSK disorders. These can be caused by an individuals occupation, especially if their job involves heavy physical work, lifting, standing for long periods of time or lots of time sitting at a desk.
MSK conditions can also be caused by repetitive movements, forceful exertions, working in cold environments and even exposure to vibrations from machinery or tools used. Exposure to these factors should be managed carefully in a workplace environment, Sometimes these ailments can be caused by other lifestyle factors. Are they carrying too much weight, are they their activity levels sufficient or are they getting regular good night’s sleep? All of these could be contributing to the pain and it’s important to address these and take a holistic view.
With the right support there are some very simple ways to prevent MSK issues from occurring.
Keep active: Activity is not always about going to the gym, running or riding a bike, but it is about building movement into everything you do. If you have employees that are primarily desk based, ensure they have opportunities to get up and move around. Encourage employees to get out for a walk at lunchtimes or take up other forms of activity. Being active benefits your bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Employers should provide employees with information and guidance on how to get started.
Manage weight: Looking at causation factors, if an employee is carrying excess weight, this increases the load on their musculoskeletal system. Workplace wellbeing specialists like HCML can have confidential assessments with employees to check several areas of their health, including their weight if they choose to. We can help employees lose excess weight if they need to with the right nutritional support in place. Companies can also offer subsidised gym memberships and get involved in sports clubs and activities.
Nutrition: Wellness starts from the inside. What you eat and drink can also increase the risk of MSK conditions. For example, eating a high carb and sugar diet can cause inflammation that can lead to pain. Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, drinking plenty of water and keeping alcohol and sugar to a minimum will all help.
As employers we must look at how to encourage employees to approach their nutrition. We can help employees lose excess weight if they need to with the right nutritional support in place. Employers need to think about how they can make healthier snacks available in the workplace to encourage employees to make better nutritional choices.
Ageing well: We can often assume that aches and pains are a sign of ageing, but our lifestyle choices are often what leads to pain. Keeping active, fuelling our bodies with the right foods and looking after ourselves well will help us age more slowly and suffer fewer musculoskeletal problems. Life is busy with work, caring for family and other commitments. Practising self-care is very important, and employers should support with this.
Supporting your workforce
Happier employees are more productive. Helping your employees improve activity levels during work hours and at home with the right support can significantly improve musculoskeletal conditions.
There is never going to be a one size fits all approach when it comes to dealing with MSK conditions, particularly in the workplace when you are dealing with multi-generational needs. It’s important to offer employees a variety of initiatives to appeal to a wide audience. We must also consider accessibility and communication – if these are not effective then any wellbeing support will go unutilised making them expensive and ineffective.