Background and Purpose. Physical therapists are at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Little is known of how therapists respond to injury or of what actions they take to prevent injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of WMSDs in physical therapists, contributing risk factors, and their responses to injury. Subjects. As part of a larger study, a systematic sample of 1 in 4 therapists on a state register (n=824) was surveyed. Methods. An 8-page questionnaire was mailed to each subject. Questions investigated musculoskeletal symptoms, specialty areas, tasks and job-related risk factors, injury prevention strategies, and responses to injury. Results. Lifetime prevalence of WMSDs was 91%, and 1 in 6 physical therapists moved within or left the profession as a result of WMSDs. Younger therapists reported a higher prevalence of WMSDs in most body areas. Use of mobilization and manipulation techniques was related to increased prevalence of thumb symptoms. Risk factors pertaining to workload were related to a higher prevalence of neck and upper-limb symptoms, and postural risk factors were related to a higher prevalence of spinal symptoms. Conclusion and Discussion. Strategies used to reduce work-related injury in industry may also apply to physical therapists. Increased risk of thumb symptoms associated with mobilization techniques suggests that further research is needed to establish recommendations for practice. The issues for therapists who move within or leave the profession are unknown, and further research is needed to better understand their needs and experiences.

Background and Purpose. Knowledge, skills, relationships, and attitudes of caring and working hard are all thought to be valued by physical therapists. This article explores how physical therapists see themselves, in light of some of these values, when they experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The article also explores the ways in which these values may compete with each other, and it suggests how this may contribute to the onset of WMSDs and to therapists' behavior following a WMSD. Subjects and Methods. Eighteen therapists who had made a career change after a WMSD participated in interviews that were designed to gain insight into the attitudes and beliefs of therapists who had had a WMSD. Results. Participants did not anticipate WMSDs, and they typically believed their physical therapy knowledge and skills would have prevented WMSDs from occurring. They saw themselves as knowledgeable and caring and indicated that these characteristics were highly valued by the profession. Their need to demonstrate these attributes sometimes resulted in behaviors that contributed to the development of their WMSDs and made them worse after their onset. Discussion and Conclusion. The cultural values of physical therapists may make it difficult for them to do their jobs in a way that minimizes the risk of WMSDs. The study identified a potential conflict between the therapists' need to (1) demonstrate their ability to work hard and care for their patients and (2) appear knowledgeable and skilled by remaining injury free.

Most physiotherapists (91%) experience work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) at some time, and one in six makes a career change as a consequence. Many of these disorders are attributed to manual handling of patients. This paper proposes guidelines to reduce the risk of WMSDs based on Australian legislative requirements, the results of a survey of Australian physiotherapists and the literature surrounding injury prevention. These guidelines address the areas of environmental and job design, and the personal physical capabilities of physiotherapists, within the context of law. The paper concludes by calling for further research to explore and develop this area of injury prevention in the physiotherapy profession.

Physiotherapists are exposed to many risk factors in their work environment. Their general health status is largely unknown, and conflicting studies suggest possible adverse reproductive effects of electromagnetic radiation to which they may be exposed. As part of a larger study, a systematic sample of one in four physiotherapists on a state register (N = 824) was surveyed. Each subject completed an eight page questionnaire, answering questions about musculoskeletal and general health, exposure to risk factors, exposure to electrophysical agents and reproductive outcomes. The response rate was 67.8%. The incidence of congenital malformations and miscarriage among physiotherapists was lower than that in the general community. However, physiotherapists who performed hydrotherapy were more likely to report dermatitis, rashes and fungal skin infections. The prevalence of these conditions increased with the number of hours spent doing hydrotherapy. These findings suggest that physiotherapists are unlikely to have an increased risk of negative reproductive outcomes because of their exposure to electrophysical agents. Physiotherapists who perform hydrotherapy, however, have an increased risk of skin complaints.

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