Page-86JBUMDC 2020;10(1):86

Khalid Aziz, Ambreen Shehzad, Syeda Tahniyat Ali

To solve all these problems simple strategies can be appliedby an organization to enhance their employee’s productivity.Re-designing work-stations and use of adjustable furnitureare frequently advised5. On the other hand, proper postureawareness among workers who are involved in anyoccupation that demands prolonged static postures especiallyin front of computers or any visual display units can becarefully trained to differentiate between good and badpostures. Taking regular stretch breaks from sustainedpositions, monitoring frequency of physical loads, stressmanagement are some of the simplest solutions to adopt byany organization or workplace for the betterment of theirworkers or employees.REFERENCES:1. Da Costa BR, Vieira ER. Risk factors for work-related

musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of recentlongitudinal studies. American journal of industrial medicine.2010; 53(3):285-323.

2. Buckle P. Ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders: overview.Occupational medicine. 2005; 55(3):164-7.

3. Jahanimoghadam F, Abdolalizadeh M. Ergonomics,Musculoskeletal Disorders, and Computer Work. Journal ofHealth and Biomedical Informatics. 2016; 3(2):145-54.

4. David GC. Ergonomic methods for assessing exposure to riskfactors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.Occupational medicine. 2005; 55(3):190-9.

5. Robertson MM, O’Neill MJ. Reducing musculoskeletaldiscomfort: effects of an office ergonomics workplace andtraining intervention. International Journal of OccupationalSafety and Ergonomics. 2003; 9(4):491-502.

Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries or dysfunctions thataffects muscles, bones, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints,cartilages, and spinal discs. They include sprains, strains,tears, soreness, pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, hernias, andconnective tissue injuries of the structures previouslymentioned1. Musculoskeletal disorders is a major source ofdisability and loss of work time among employees2. Duringthe last two decades, there is an increase use of VisualDisplay Units (VDU) in majority of occupation which leadsto various work-related musculoskeletal disorders.Musculoskeletal symptoms of VDU users are believed tohave a multi-factorial etiology including repetitive motion,excessive force, prolong sitting or standing, workplaceergonomics, excessive physical loads and psychosocialfactors3.Most common examples of WMSDs are low back pain,neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, epicondilitisetc4. Musculoskeletal Disorders affect large numbers ofpeople across most industries and occupations, have thepotential to lead to long and serious disability, and imposeheavy costs on employers and on society2. In order to preventMSDs a simple ergonomic awareness and approach canreduce the risks and disability among workers in anyworkplace. According to the International ErgonomicsAssociation (IEA) Council an official definition of thediscipline of ergonomics “is the scientific discipline concernedwith the understanding of interactions among humans andother elements of a system, and the profession that appliestheory, principles, data and methods to design in order tooptimize human well-being and overall system performance”2.

Ergonomic Awareness: Simple Solution To Prevent Work-Related MusculoskeletalDisorders (WMSDs)

Letter to Editor

Khalid AzizVice PrincipalBahria University College of Physical Therapy (BUMDC)

Ambreen ShehzadLecturerBahria University College of Physical Therapy (BUMDC)

Syeda Tahniyat AliLecturerBahria University College of Physical Therapy (BUMDC)

Received:10-12-2019Accepted: 20-12-2019