Don’t sleep on musculoskeletal health
Blog written by Nicky Piper, Chief Nursing Officer at Medigold Health.
First things first: What exactly is musculoskeletal health?
Let’s start with the basics. Musculoskeletal (MSK) health is all about keeping your muscles, bones, joints and connective tissues healthy. Think of it as the body’s “support network” that lets you move around freely, do your job efficiently, and generally feel good day to day.
Looking after your people’s MSK health isn’t just about helping them avoid injury and discomfort – it’s about helping them stay productive and happy at work and feeling their best in the long run.
What do musculoskeletal issues actually look like?
MSK injuries and problems can show up in lots of different ways. Some of the most common include:
- Arthritis – painful, stiff joints that make moving tricky
- Back and neck pain – often caused by poor posture or sitting for long periods
- Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) – from doing the same motions over and over again
- General mobility issues – small aches that make everyday tasks feel harder
Sometimes it starts as a little niggle. But if it’s ignored, it can turn into chronic pain or seriously affect mobility. And of course, that can lead to time off work and a lower quality of life.
What job roles are more prone to MSK issues?
People in certain job roles are more prone to MSK issues, including:
- Office workers – all that sitting and typing can take a toll
- Healthcare professionals – lifting and moving patients isn’t easy on the back
- Manual labour roles – think construction, warehousing, or manufacturing, which often involve lots of heavy lifting, repetitive movements or working in awkward positions
- Retail and hospitality staff – who tend to spend long shifts on their feet, carrying loads and doing a lot of bending
Knowing which roles are at higher risk helps employers put the right support in place to keep their teams healthy.
How can you prevent MSK health problems?
The good news? Most MSK issues are preventable – or at least manageable – if you take action early. Some of the ways you can help employees stay in good MSK health include:
- Encouraging movement breaks – allowing staff to take regular short breaks throughout the day to stretch, change position and walk around can help prevent discomfort and reduce RSIs
- Conducting workstation assessments – these assessments help ensure equipment (such as desks, chairs and screens) and work areas are set up ergonomically to avoid strain and injury
- Providing access to physiotherapy – physio can help treat mobility issues and improve strength and flexibility in joints and muscles. Therapists can also provide employees with exercises they can do to help manage and prevent future pain and discomfort from an injury or ongoing health issue
Here at Medigold Health, we offer a wide range of services to support musculoskeletal health in the workplace. From physiotherapy and ergonomic assessments to early intervention programmes, we help teams maintain MSK health, prevent mobility issues and get back on track if injuries do occur.
Ready to invest in your team’s MSK health?
Looking after your employees’ musculoskeletal health isn’t just good for staff – it’s good for your business too!
So, don’t wait until small aches and pains turn into bigger problems.
Get in touch with our friendly team today to find out more about our workplace ergonomic solutions and physiotherapy services and how they can support your teams.
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