Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Teaching Profession

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the most common and important occupational health problems in working populations with significant impact on quality of life and a major economic burden from compensation costs and lost income. MSDs decrease productivity at work due to absenteeism, presenteeism and sick leave. During the course of their work, teachers can be subjected to conditions that cause physical and psychosocial illness. Common MSDs among teachers include those affecting the lower back, neck and upper extremities. Research suggests that the aetiology of MSDs is complex and multifactorial in nature. Occupational factors including location of school, carrying heavy loads, prolonged computer use, awkward posture and psychosocial factors such as poor social work environment, high anxiety and low job satisfaction have been found to contribute to development of MSDs. Factors such as high supervisor support and regular physical exercise on the other hand have been found to have a protective effect against MSDs among teachers. The interventions for these conditions need to be contextualized for them to be effective and to take into consideration, the risk factors for these conditions and how they interact with each other.