Work Place Self-Management by Academic Cum Clinical Physiotherapist – A Case Study

Vinodhkumar Ramalingam; Mythri Jain; Prathap Suganthirababu; Jagatheesan Alagesan; Pradeep Balakrishnan; Prathibha Duraimurugan; Balarathna; Mohammed Hussain; Wong Ling Shing

doi:10.18006/2023.11(5).866.870

Authors

Vinodhkumar Ramalingam Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
Mythri Jain Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
Prathap Suganthirababu Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
Jagatheesan Alagesan Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
Pradeep Balakrishnan School of Health Sciences, KPJ University College, Kota Seriemas, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Prathibha Duraimurugan Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
Balarathna Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
Mohammed Hussain Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
Wong Ling Shing Faculty of health and life sciences, INTI international University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18006/2023.11(5).866.870

Keywords:

Physiotherapist, Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, Rapid entire body assessment, Visual analogue scale, Exercise, Healthy lifestyle

Abstract

One of the main issues in industrialized nations is work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), which are linked to demanding and repetitive work environments. Repetitive actions and work without leisure can lead to musculoskeletal problems. To prevent this occurrence, promoting healthy lifestyle self-care management is essential. The main objective of this case study was to assess the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in professional physiotherapist and their workplace self-management. Case Description: a case of a 39-year-old male assistant professor cum clinical practitioner with 12 years of experience in the profession, who engages in using the computer for 6 hours a day for his academic and clinical documentation purposes, was assessed in the workstation. He complains of neck and shoulder pain after engaging in front of the computer for more than one hour, which he manages during the routine practice. He manages his pain by doing simple exercises like chin tuck-in and shoulder bracing by taking a short break every hour while working on a computer. Musculoskeletal-related pain was analyzed using the VAS score (visual analogue scale), and the level of the risks was analyzed using the rapid entire body assessment (REBA) scale. The case study showed that professional physiotherapists have a high risk of MSDs due to their engagement in multiple tasks and less attention to body posture. Regular exercise in the workstation and ergonomic workplace awareness would prevent the occurrence of work-related MSD.

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