IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Headlines

National Physiotherapy Month : Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders


National Physiotherapy Month : Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Canada has over 20,000 registered physiotherapists, as per Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

“National Physiotherapy Month is a time to celebrate the profession and recognize the expertise and care that physiotherapists offer to promote good health, prevent injuries and improve fitness and wellness of Canadians by addressing a range of issues.”

Back pain is common, painful and disabling. In most cases, treatment involves physiotherapy. Back pain, tendonitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, tension neck syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome are examples of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) occurring in the workplace.

These disorders are among the most common types of work injury in industrialized countries and constitute a major economic burden on contemporary society. Moreover, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are among the leading causes of significant human suffering, loss of productivity, and heavy financial costs to society.

Here are some of the IRSST’s studies treating about these disorders:

Comparative Evolution of Pain and Work Status Following a Rehabilitation Program for Workers with Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect more than 45,000 Québec workers every year in all activity sectors. In a biopsychosocial model of MSDs, the issue of the beliefs held by the main stakeholders about disability and pain is central to the rehabilitation process. Many health professionals, employers, and insurers believe that injured employees should not return to work until they have completely recovered from their injury. Paradoxically, others believe that only a tenuous relationship exists between work absence and pain. Little work has focused to date on the correlation between perceived pain and work status. This study sought to fill that gap.


Evaluation of the Implementation and Impact of the PRÉVICAP Program

Based on a series of innovative discussions and projects conducted in the field of occupational rehabilitation by the Université de Sherbrooke in the early 1990s, PRÉVICAP program was designed to foster workers' return to their pre-injury jobs. It consists among other things, of the early and interdisciplinary management of workers with musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) who are at risk of long-term disability, in partnership with all the stakeholders impacted by the injury (the worker who sustained the employment injury, employer, CSST case managers and health professionals).


Strategies for Preventing Prolonged Disability in Workers Compensated for Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders - A Systematic and Comprehensive Literature Review

The findings of the present literature review will enlighten stakeholders and practitioners in the work disability intervention field by providing them with potentially successful strategies for preventing prolonged disability and with information about specific areas in need of further research regarding workers compensated for WRMSDs.