Common Occupational Therapeutic Interventions Adopted to Alleviate Lower Back Pain Produced by Persistent Sitting Posture

Authors: Moraba LM*, Ellapen TJ, Swanepoel, M, Strydom GL, Burger M, Hammill VH and Paul Y

DOI: 10.23880/aphot-16000154

Volume 3, Issue 2

Abstract

Persistent-sitting-posture has been linked with vertebrae, shoulder, arm and leg work-related-musculoskeletal-complaints among computer-based office users. Work-related-musculoskeletal-disorders (WRMDs) affect the employee’s overall health, the company’s productivity and the nation’s economy. Numerous strategies have emerged to combat the ill-effects of persistent-occupational-sitting-posture, which inter alia include enhanced ergonomic workstations (sitting and standing), dynamic-sitting posture, active workstations (treadmill and cycle workstations), regular instructional prompting to take compulsory rest breaks and exercise therapy prescription. Ergonomic reconfigured workstations and exercise therapy has been most successful. This commentary reviews the aforementioned interventions. In South Africa, occupational health and safety is a collaborative inter professional effort of medical doctors, occupational nurses, occupational therapists and bio kinetics. An understanding of common international therapeutic interventions adopted to alleviate lower back pain produced by persistent-occupational-sitting-posture will strengthen their therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Ergonomic Interventions; Lower Back Pain; Sitting-Posture

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