Prevalence of Back & neck Pain among Physiotherapists

Introduction: Occupational health hazards are very common. With promotion of industrial life, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders has increased markedly. The most common complaint in workers is low back and neck pain. As physiotherapists daily deal with all work related musculoskeletal problems and the job nature of physiotherapists included treating the patients, lifting the body part of the patients, awkward posture and may have to sit/stand for prolong period to treat the patients. So the purpose of the study is to find out the prevalence of back pain&neck pain among physiotherapists themselves.

Aim of Study: Find out prevalence of back and neck pain in the physiotherapists

Methodology: Study design: Observational study Sample selection: A random sample of 100 was taken after giving due consideration to inclusive&exclusive criteria. Data was collected by general assessment form&Nordic questionnaire Inclusive criteria: Age group-20-35 years, Gender - Males&Females, Working hours in O.P.D-at least 4 hours/day, Minimum of one year experience in treating patients. Exclusive criteria: Working in academic area, Age-Above 35 years, under any medication, Consuming alcohol, Fracture in back&neck region in past 1 year

Results: The prevalence of back pain in physiotherapists was 65% and neck pain was 41%. Working in O.P.D(75%) was ranked as the main factor which contributed to back pain, followed by prolong standing(66%), weight lifting(38%), vehicle driving(32%), prolong sitting(26%) working on computer(14%), depression(12%), poor posture(9%), dancing(8%)&injury(3%). Working in O.P.D (75%) was ranked as the main factor which contributed to neck pain, followed by poor posture(54%), vehicle driving(46%), prolong standing(34%), work on computer(34%), depression(27%), weight lifting(22%), prolong sitting(20%), dancing(10%)&injury(5%).

Conclusion: Prevalence of back pain was higher than the prevalence of neck pain among physiotherapists. Females were more prone to get back&neck pain than males. Working in O.P.D.&prolong standing were major factors contributed back pain whereas working in O.P.D.&poor posture were major factors contributed neck pain.