Work-related musculoskeletal complaints in massage practitioners

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Sirbu, Elena^{a; 1} | Varga, Mihaela Giorgiana^b | Rata, Andreea Luciana^{c; d; *; 2} | Amaricai, Elena^{e; 3} | Onofrei, Roxana Ramona^{e; 4}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy and Special Motricity, West University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania | [b] Department of Physical Education and Sport, Politechnic University Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania | [c] Department of Vascular Surgery, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania | [d] Pius Brinzeu Emergency County Hospital Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania | [e] Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Research Center for Assessment of Human Motion, Functionality and Disability, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Andreea Luciana Rata, Department of Vascular Surgery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Sq no 2, Timisoara, Romania. E-mail: [email protected].

Note: [1] Orcid ID: 0000-0002-0874-662X

Note: [2] Orcid ID: 0000-0003-4009-2248

Note: [3] Orcid ID: 0000-0002-0706-7449

Note: [4] Orcid ID: 0000-0003-2896-7523

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal complaints (WMSCs) are induced or aggravated by work activities and/or work conditions. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the impact of work as a massage practitioner, with a special emphasis on WMSCs. METHODS: Massage practitioners were invited to participate in the study through an advert in the rehabilitation medical clinics. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, collecting general data and questions about WMSCs. RESULTS: Thirty-seven subjects (88.09%) reported pain in at least one body part in the last 4 weeks. The most common WMSCs was pain in the neck region (69.04%), followed by pain in the shoulder region (54.76%), upper back (52.38%), lower back (40.48%), wrist-hand (33.33%) and elbow (21.43%). The massage practitioners aged between 21 and 30 years old reported significantly more frequently WMSCs localized in neck, shoulders, wrist-hand, upper back and lower back. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that WMSCs are widely reported among massage practitioners. The most common complaints were reported in the neck and shoulder regions, especially in younger massage practitioners.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, health workers, massage therapist

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205306

Journal: Work, vol. 72, no. 3, pp. 901-907, 2022