It's a pain in the...

And how to keep them at bay:

by Carol Aloysius

The surge in health risks due to accidents occurring at the workplace is a cause for re-thinking the conventional approach to working environments. Spurred on by advanced technology, which has invaded every sphere of the workplace, we are now beginning to see an escalation of new health hazards which could not just cause adverse impacts on our health, but interfere with our work output as well.

Occupational health is increasingly gaining significance worldwide and in Sri Lanka, and the medical fraternity is now paying more than just lip service to both preventing and treating ailments that are directly linked to the workplace.

The Sunday Observer spoke to Dayananda Handaragama, an eminent physiotherapist at the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital (SJH), with twenty five years of experience behind him, about work place injuries and rehabilitative measures that can end to the misery and suffering of thousands of workers.

Following are excerpts of the interview...

Q: What are the most common ailments directly related to our working conditions?

A: Virtually all kinds of rheumatic aches and pains including neck, back pain, knee and shoulder pain. Sometimes large joints, especially the hip and shoulder, may also be affected. The hip and shoulder are particularly vulnerable.

Q: Why?

A: Because today most people are leading over active lives. They don't get enough rest. Sitting in one place has also made people more obese. Being overweight puts additional strain on the large weight bearing joints. Inaccurate posture, use of inappropriate tools by a carpenter for example, which don't match his physical size and weight, incorrect lifting techniques (e.g. labourers carrying large weights off the ground) can put unnecessary strain on the large weight bearing joints.

Q: Aside from these factors does weather and genes also have a role?

A: Yes. If you have arthritis, working in cold weather can increase the pain. Genetic factors such as if a parent suffers from similar pains, can also be passed on.

Q: What about neck pain, which is increasingly becoming common even among the young who are working in offices?

A: Neck pain occurs for various reasons; 1)When you are constantly keeping your head down while reading. If you read a book looking down for a long time, you are bound to develop pain in the neck. Writing for a long time or using a computer for long can also cause neck pain. This is due to overstraining the neck muscles. Motorcyclists also develop this condition as they have to look down.

Q: Back pain?

A: This too happens when you sit in the wrong position or the wrong chair. The height of the computer table and chair is very important if you wish to avoid such pain. Make sure the computer is placed at a higher level where you are able to keep you head up to relieve the neck and back muscle. Bad posture is the key factor, whether you are sitting or even standing.

Q: Elbow pain? Is it the same as carpel tunnel syndrome?

A: No, they are two different conditions. Two types of elbow pain are very common: Tennis elbow, especially among tennis players, and the golfers elbow, common among golf players.

Overuse of the hand is the main cause. If you are a writer or a teacher you can develop elbow pain leading to carpel tunnel syndrome due to overuse of your hand.

Even a housewife can get an elbow pain if she continues to sweep, dust or wash without taking a break. Rest is important. Taking a break from your chores is important and doing nothing can relieve the pain.

Q: Hand pain is also a common complaint among office workers. What is the cause?

A: Hand pain can sometimes be a referred pain originating from some other part of the body, although it is felt in the hand. It can also be caused by cervical spondylosis.

Q: What is cervical spondylosis?

A: It is a condition caused by wear and tear of the cartilage between the cervical bone. There are seven cervical bones, and in between is the cartilage which is called the intra-vertebral disc.

It is a very soft cushion which absorbs excessive weight and strain on the neck. But if worn out it can cause cervical spondylosis.

Q: How does it get worn out? Who is vulnerable to this condition?

A: Those with osteoporosis, lack of calcium, elderly and overweight persons. The nerve coming through the cartilage gets tightened and this could cause pain along the arm or neck.

Q: Does the same thing happen when you get leg pain?

A: Yes. We call this lumber spondylosis since it is in the lumber region.

Q: Let's talk about treatment. How do you treat these conditions?

A. Treatment varies from person to person according to their specific conditions. For muscle or superficial pain we do heat therapy e.g. infra red to heat fermentation to interferential therapy to stimulate the muscle. We also apply TENS therapy (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). For deep pain we do pulse short wave treatment and continuous pulse short wave for chronic pain.

For long term relief we also recommend exercise therapy under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

For neck pain I suggest wearing a neck collar, which will keep the neck upright and give relief to the neck muscles. Raising your head from time to time, while reading or working on the computer, can also ease the pain.

In the case of elbow pain, the treatment is usually ultra sound, heat therapy, friction, pulse short wave, and supportive bandages and taping.

Q: Home remedies like salt immersion of the foot to bring down swelling e.g. as in arthritis. Will it help?

A: Salt absorbs excessive tissue fluid around damaged parts of the cells and relieves pain temporarily.

Q: If work related symptoms are ignored what will be the consequences?

A: It can cause changes in one's posture; the pain could become chronic and worsen, requiring surgery.

Q. Summarise for us the golden rules to follow:

A: *Make sure your computer chair and table are of the correct height.

*Keep your eyes level with your book while reading instead of looking down.

·* Most importantly avoid being over active to the extent it causes strain on your joints.

·*Take a break every hour or so from your work.

By following these simple rules and getting the help of your physiotherapist, will keep those aches and pains at bay!