What Happens at a Musculoskeletal Assessment?
As the name suggests, work-related musculoskeletal conditions are health issues caused or worsened by certain work environments. From muscle strain and back issues to carpal tunnel syndrome and sprains, there are a plethora of physical problems that can be linked to an employee’s workplace and role.
As an employee, musculoskeletal issues can put your current job, and any potential future jobs, at risk, causing you not just to suffer physically, but financially as well. For an employer, such health issues can lead to a rise in absenteeism and a reduction in productivity. Musculoskeletal issues related absences are a huge drain on employers. Of the 1.7 million British workers who suffered from work-related ill-health, 473,000 workers suffered from MSK symptoms. This is an increase of 3,000 from the previous year.
This article explores what happens at a musculoskeletal assessment, its importance, benefits and best practices when having an assessment carried out at your workplace.
What Are Musculoskeletal Problems?
Musculoskeletal problems are among the leading causes of sickness leave throughout the UK, making them a very important issue that can often be overlooked by employers. These health issues range from minor injuries, such as sprains and strains, to long term conditions, such as arthritis and back pain.
Those suffering from musculoskeletal problems have cited persistent pain, stiffness, limited movement and numbness as some of the symptoms they experience in a joint, muscle, limb or nerve. These symptoms typically impact how well an employee can perform in their role and in some cases, the pain can be so severe that it is debilitating, leaving the employee unable to work.
The causes of the pain include:
- Vibration
- Handling heavy loads
- Repetitive movements
- Sitting / standing in the same position for prolonged periods of time
What Is An Occupational Health Musculoskeletal Assessment?
By having regular musculoskeletal assessments carried out with their staff, employers can proactively address any potential health issues and mitigate the risks, ensuring their team remains healthy and efficient.
The reason a musculoskeletal assessment is conducted is to check that employees are safe to carry out the requirements of their job role, including the equipment they operate, to assess whether it might negatively impact their health. As discussed in our previous articles, employers have a legal duty of care to protect the health and safety of their employees in accordance with the official regulations, and a musculoskeletal assessment is a necessary tool to achieve this.
Examples of working environments where employees may develop musculoskeletal problems include:
- Offices: working with screens for prolonged periods of time, such as computers, laptops and smartphones
- Construction or agricultural sites: exposure to body vibration from machinery and lifting tasks
- Warehouses or manufacturing factories: hazardous manual handling tasks, such as shelf stacking
What Happens At An Occupational Health Musculoskeletal Assessment?
During a musculoskeletal assessment, our experienced occupational health team here at Healthier Workforce will identify any staff suffering from musculoskeletal issues, and look for links between the tasks being carried out and these problems to see how the risks can be best mitigated. Based on this assessment, they provide recommendations for any pragmatic modifications to help resolve these issues with the possibility of referring an employee for musculoskeletal physiotherapy if required.
What Happens At A Physiotherapy Musculoskeletal Assessment?
According to the NHS, during a physiotherapy musculoskeletal assessment a physiotherapist discusses the referred person’s symptoms with them to gather as much information as possible so that the condition can be diagnosed and treated correctly. This includes exploring their medical history and any prescribed medication they are taking. Where necessary, they conduct an examination of the affected area, so the referred person needs to be mindful of the clothes they wear for the appointment as the physiotherapist will need to access the area. Depending on the health problem, there might be a need for some further tests to be carried out, such as an X-ray, blood test or scan.
Once the condition has been diagnosed, it will be explained to you and the treatment options will be discussed if required. These options can include:
- Physical rehabilitation and exercise therapy
- Lifestyle changes and education
- Therapeutic massage and acupuncture
The physiotherapist also provides advice on how to best manage any adverse conditions, and there is an opportunity for questions.
If you are searching for a respected, reputable occupational health expert to conduct a musculoskeletal assessment at your UK business, look no further than Healthier Workforce. We pride ourselves on our extensive knowledge, attention to detail and personal service, delivering successful results for our clients.
Benefit from a healthier, dynamic workforce by getting in touch with us today.