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Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) A reference book for prevention
436
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) A reference book for prevention by Mats Hagberg, Barbara Silverstein, Richard Wells, Michael J Smith, Hal W Hendrick, Pascale Carayon and Michel Perusse. Taylor and Francis, Basingstoke, Hampshire, 1995 (ISBN 0 7484 0132 6). Illus. 421 pages. f 19.95.
emphasised, as it is the wearing of appropriate clothing and footwear. The exercise programme itself is graded into four levels of increasing difficulty, progressing from a founAs the title of this book implies, the dation level which involves basic focu‘s of the book is on the training control of pelvic tilt, to eccentric of the abdominal musculature. The t r u n k curls (‘crunches’) a t the author h a s aimed to describe a n highest level. abdominal programme designated The book finishes with two ‘Functional Load Abdominal Train- applied sections - one on abdominal ing’, designed not to facilitate training in sport, and the other on sports performance, but rather abdominal exercise in water. to develop t r u n k fitness which is The book is clearly and simply relevant to everyday life. presented, but at the end of this The author has aimed the book at review I a m not sure who would ‘fitness trainers, aerobics instruc- wish to buy it. The logical presentors, therapists, keep-fit enthus- tation of the progressive exercise iasts, sports people and coaches’. programme may be useful for very The level of delivery and language junior physiotherapy students, but used certainly suggests t h a t it is I do not think t h a t the style of the aimed a t a ‘non-knowledgeable’ book would attract qualified profesaudience rather t h a n at either sionals. The language and style of student or clinical physiotherapists. t h e book a r e definitely aimed at There is a slight contradiction in those with either very limited or no t h e early claim t h a t t h e book background knowledge of anatomy, aims to develop abdominal fitness biomechanics or exercise training, for everyday life, not specifically so perhaps it will be found useful for sport, and t h e stated market by less qualified trainers and a t which the book is aimed. instructors. However, they may be Each chapter is set out in a logical unwilling to pay S10.99 for such a and clear format with highlighted narrowly focused book. key points, simple diagrams and Kate Kerr PhD BA MCSP Cert Ed a point-by-point summary. The content moves logically from a description of t h e structure, Sport specific exercises - Top: Medicine function and mechanics of the ball curl-up. Below: Overhead throw-in spine, to review the basic concepts of abdominal training and t h e influence of posture on exercise and vice versa. Before progressing to a description of the abdominal training programme, the author briefly introduces the relationship between diet, exercise and body weight. The part of the book which deals with abdominal exercises begins with a chapter which identifies common abdominal exercises and explains correct and incorrect application; this is followed by a chapter on t h e dangers of t r u n k exercises. The importance of warm-up before starting the exercise programme is
Abdominal Training
by Christopher M Norris. A & C Black, 35 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4JH, 1997 (ISBN 0 7136 4585 7). Illus. 120 pages. f 70.99.
Physiotherapy, August 1997, vol83, no a
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) a r e a significant problem throughout the world for both management and workers and this book aims to help with their prevention. The book contains scientific information prepared by an international expert group which has created a database of WMSD research. It examines the workrelatedness of WMSDs in the light of existing literature and then goes on to explore and synthesise information, avenues and approaches that could help in its prevention. The authors do state that the literature is not always sound on all aspects of a problem and they draw analogies from other areas of health and safety to illustrate other approaches where necessary. The book starts with a chapter on the evidence of work relatedness for selected musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper limbs. Reviewed literature is quoted in each case along with tables of findings from a sample of the most quoted literature studies. Invaluable help is also provided for the interpretation of these tables. A logical progression then follows with chapters on risk factors, surveillance for WMSDs, management solutions, managing change, WMSDs-related training, and medical management. Chapters a r e well laid out with introductions followed by overviews t h a t go on to cover different schools of thought on each topic, which are again backed up by references, tables and diagrams as appropriate. References are clearly set out at the end of the book along with lists of symptoms, disorders and diseases under WMSDs acronyms, terms and definitions used, and attributable fractions for WMSDs. This user-friendly book contains a wealth of researched information and is a n ideal source of reference for anyone involved with the prevention of WMSDs. I found it
437
particularly useful when preparing many reasons for absenteeism both a recent presentation on the role of work-related and non-work-related. industry for a work-related problem. As the authors say: ‘Absenteeism is It was interesting to compare the a sensitive indicator of a number of outcomes of different surveillance problems, including a high level of systems for WMSDs suggested by stress, a poor work environment, a the expert authors with those used stringent management style, inad. by my company to help with preven- equate work organisation and a lax tion. In particular I had monitored collective bargaining agreement’. I have no hesitation in recomabsence for WMSDs and then found that using absenteeism for surveil- mending this book to any physiolance data was difficult as there are therapists working in the field of
occupational health or undertaking a n ergonomics course, as I think they will find it a quick and useful reference tool. However, it should be borne in mind that this book was published in 1995 and more up-to-date literature reviews will now be available in some of the areas covered by the book. Jane Knight MCSP
Bad Backs and Painful Parts
for example, referred pain was explained as local pain caused by hypertonicity in muscles located distant t o the original source of pain. The selection of conditions covered again have their cause attributed t o suppressed emotion. For example, a frozen shoulder was caused by suppressing the desire to hit someone. In summary, while I appreciate t h a t mental stress can affect pain states, attributing them solely to suppressed emotion and stress, in my opinion, does not tackle the topic of pain adequately.
by Jenny Draspa MCSP. Whitefrairs, Whitefriars House, Chester CH 1 1NZ, 1996 (ISBN 0’9527326 0 2). Illus. 72 pages. f9.99 (including postage and packing). Available from Jenny Draspa at Whitefriars, or from Waterstones and Booklands, Bridge Street, Chester.
This book discusses nociceptive pain caused when suppressed emotion and mental stress alter body posture, causing muscles to become hypertonic. The book is aimed a t GPs, physiotherapists and patients - however I feel t h a t i t is too simplistic for the former two and that the explanation of pain is incomplete for the latter. The book is well presented and easy t o read. It contains 25 short chapters covering a variety of topics including muscle structure, body language, stress and its management, physiotherapy treatment, syndromes, case histories, selftreatment and a bibliography. The case histories are purely anecdotal for example the man who unable t o get his book published, suppressed the desire to kick the publishers and developed groin pain. The bibliography contains nine titles, five of which are written by the author or her husband. The book goes into details regarding muscular anatomy but this detail is not maintained throughout. The author mentions golgi tendon organs and suggests that they may also be involved in pain conduction, but there is no mention of accepted nociceptors, no discussion of other pain sources other than muscles, and no mention of the central nervous system. Treatment involves heat massage and passive physiological movements to address the hypertonicity ; however, the author recommends the removal of the source of stress to achieve a permanent cure. I found inaccuracies in the text -
Crying causes costal pain, as explained in ‘Bad Backs and Painful Parts’
Goods For Your Health Improving supplies management in NHS trusts - National report Audit Commission for Local Authorities and National Health Service in England and Wales, 1 Vincent Square, London S W l P 2PN, 1996 (ISBN 1 86240 002 4). 90 pages.
The principal theme of this report is the management of supplies, including selection, procurement, storage and usage. The report’s main focus is t o explore alternative ways of service delivery, which lead to value for money and reducing costs. Fifteen NHS trusts and other organisations in public and private sectors, both in the UK and overseas, were visited. The report is well presented and easy to follow. It is clearly set out with recommendations made at the end of each chapter, and is an excellent model for report writing. Information, tables and statistical information are clearly laid out. The report is probably best read by those who have a direct role in supplies management and procurement, but will be of interest to those with a responsibility for ordering and controlling supplies. Certainly
Rebecca Dunstan MCSP
the general principles of good practice are relevant to many. The report is mainly focused on the acute sector, but again the principles will apply in the community. No direct reference is made to physiotherapy or indeed to any of the professions allied to medicine. One of the many recommendations is t o ‘standardise a s far as possible on consumables and equipment throughout the trust, ensuring the involvement of clinicians and other users, as well as maintenance, training and finance staff ’. For those interested in major stock control, supplies procurement, finance and resource, the report should prove beneficial, but otherwise it has little direct relevance to physiotherapy.
Sue Prenter MCSP Read Any Good Books Lately? If you know of a book which would be of interest to readers of Physiotherapy and it has not already been reviewed, please tell the editor its title, authodeditor and publisher.
I
I
Physiotherapy, August 1997, vol 83, no 8
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) A reference book for prevention by Mats Hagberg, Barbara Silverstein, Richard Wells, Michael J Smith, Hal W Hendrick, Pascale Carayon and Michel Perusse. Taylor and Francis, Basingstoke, Hampshire, 1995 (ISBN 0 7484 0132 6). Illus. 421 pages. f 19.95.
emphasised, as it is the wearing of appropriate clothing and footwear. The exercise programme itself is graded into four levels of increasing difficulty, progressing from a founAs the title of this book implies, the dation level which involves basic focu‘s of the book is on the training control of pelvic tilt, to eccentric of the abdominal musculature. The t r u n k curls (‘crunches’) a t the author h a s aimed to describe a n highest level. abdominal programme designated The book finishes with two ‘Functional Load Abdominal Train- applied sections - one on abdominal ing’, designed not to facilitate training in sport, and the other on sports performance, but rather abdominal exercise in water. to develop t r u n k fitness which is The book is clearly and simply relevant to everyday life. presented, but at the end of this The author has aimed the book at review I a m not sure who would ‘fitness trainers, aerobics instruc- wish to buy it. The logical presentors, therapists, keep-fit enthus- tation of the progressive exercise iasts, sports people and coaches’. programme may be useful for very The level of delivery and language junior physiotherapy students, but used certainly suggests t h a t it is I do not think t h a t the style of the aimed a t a ‘non-knowledgeable’ book would attract qualified profesaudience rather t h a n at either sionals. The language and style of student or clinical physiotherapists. t h e book a r e definitely aimed at There is a slight contradiction in those with either very limited or no t h e early claim t h a t t h e book background knowledge of anatomy, aims to develop abdominal fitness biomechanics or exercise training, for everyday life, not specifically so perhaps it will be found useful for sport, and t h e stated market by less qualified trainers and a t which the book is aimed. instructors. However, they may be Each chapter is set out in a logical unwilling to pay S10.99 for such a and clear format with highlighted narrowly focused book. key points, simple diagrams and Kate Kerr PhD BA MCSP Cert Ed a point-by-point summary. The content moves logically from a description of t h e structure, Sport specific exercises - Top: Medicine function and mechanics of the ball curl-up. Below: Overhead throw-in spine, to review the basic concepts of abdominal training and t h e influence of posture on exercise and vice versa. Before progressing to a description of the abdominal training programme, the author briefly introduces the relationship between diet, exercise and body weight. The part of the book which deals with abdominal exercises begins with a chapter which identifies common abdominal exercises and explains correct and incorrect application; this is followed by a chapter on t h e dangers of t r u n k exercises. The importance of warm-up before starting the exercise programme is
Abdominal Training
by Christopher M Norris. A & C Black, 35 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4JH, 1997 (ISBN 0 7136 4585 7). Illus. 120 pages. f 70.99.
Physiotherapy, August 1997, vol83, no a
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) a r e a significant problem throughout the world for both management and workers and this book aims to help with their prevention. The book contains scientific information prepared by an international expert group which has created a database of WMSD research. It examines the workrelatedness of WMSDs in the light of existing literature and then goes on to explore and synthesise information, avenues and approaches that could help in its prevention. The authors do state that the literature is not always sound on all aspects of a problem and they draw analogies from other areas of health and safety to illustrate other approaches where necessary. The book starts with a chapter on the evidence of work relatedness for selected musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper limbs. Reviewed literature is quoted in each case along with tables of findings from a sample of the most quoted literature studies. Invaluable help is also provided for the interpretation of these tables. A logical progression then follows with chapters on risk factors, surveillance for WMSDs, management solutions, managing change, WMSDs-related training, and medical management. Chapters a r e well laid out with introductions followed by overviews t h a t go on to cover different schools of thought on each topic, which are again backed up by references, tables and diagrams as appropriate. References are clearly set out at the end of the book along with lists of symptoms, disorders and diseases under WMSDs acronyms, terms and definitions used, and attributable fractions for WMSDs. This user-friendly book contains a wealth of researched information and is a n ideal source of reference for anyone involved with the prevention of WMSDs. I found it
437
particularly useful when preparing many reasons for absenteeism both a recent presentation on the role of work-related and non-work-related. industry for a work-related problem. As the authors say: ‘Absenteeism is It was interesting to compare the a sensitive indicator of a number of outcomes of different surveillance problems, including a high level of systems for WMSDs suggested by stress, a poor work environment, a the expert authors with those used stringent management style, inad. by my company to help with preven- equate work organisation and a lax tion. In particular I had monitored collective bargaining agreement’. I have no hesitation in recomabsence for WMSDs and then found that using absenteeism for surveil- mending this book to any physiolance data was difficult as there are therapists working in the field of
occupational health or undertaking a n ergonomics course, as I think they will find it a quick and useful reference tool. However, it should be borne in mind that this book was published in 1995 and more up-to-date literature reviews will now be available in some of the areas covered by the book. Jane Knight MCSP
Bad Backs and Painful Parts
for example, referred pain was explained as local pain caused by hypertonicity in muscles located distant t o the original source of pain. The selection of conditions covered again have their cause attributed t o suppressed emotion. For example, a frozen shoulder was caused by suppressing the desire to hit someone. In summary, while I appreciate t h a t mental stress can affect pain states, attributing them solely to suppressed emotion and stress, in my opinion, does not tackle the topic of pain adequately.
by Jenny Draspa MCSP. Whitefrairs, Whitefriars House, Chester CH 1 1NZ, 1996 (ISBN 0’9527326 0 2). Illus. 72 pages. f9.99 (including postage and packing). Available from Jenny Draspa at Whitefriars, or from Waterstones and Booklands, Bridge Street, Chester.
This book discusses nociceptive pain caused when suppressed emotion and mental stress alter body posture, causing muscles to become hypertonic. The book is aimed a t GPs, physiotherapists and patients - however I feel t h a t i t is too simplistic for the former two and that the explanation of pain is incomplete for the latter. The book is well presented and easy t o read. It contains 25 short chapters covering a variety of topics including muscle structure, body language, stress and its management, physiotherapy treatment, syndromes, case histories, selftreatment and a bibliography. The case histories are purely anecdotal for example the man who unable t o get his book published, suppressed the desire to kick the publishers and developed groin pain. The bibliography contains nine titles, five of which are written by the author or her husband. The book goes into details regarding muscular anatomy but this detail is not maintained throughout. The author mentions golgi tendon organs and suggests that they may also be involved in pain conduction, but there is no mention of accepted nociceptors, no discussion of other pain sources other than muscles, and no mention of the central nervous system. Treatment involves heat massage and passive physiological movements to address the hypertonicity ; however, the author recommends the removal of the source of stress to achieve a permanent cure. I found inaccuracies in the text -
Crying causes costal pain, as explained in ‘Bad Backs and Painful Parts’
Goods For Your Health Improving supplies management in NHS trusts - National report Audit Commission for Local Authorities and National Health Service in England and Wales, 1 Vincent Square, London S W l P 2PN, 1996 (ISBN 1 86240 002 4). 90 pages.
The principal theme of this report is the management of supplies, including selection, procurement, storage and usage. The report’s main focus is t o explore alternative ways of service delivery, which lead to value for money and reducing costs. Fifteen NHS trusts and other organisations in public and private sectors, both in the UK and overseas, were visited. The report is well presented and easy to follow. It is clearly set out with recommendations made at the end of each chapter, and is an excellent model for report writing. Information, tables and statistical information are clearly laid out. The report is probably best read by those who have a direct role in supplies management and procurement, but will be of interest to those with a responsibility for ordering and controlling supplies. Certainly
Rebecca Dunstan MCSP
the general principles of good practice are relevant to many. The report is mainly focused on the acute sector, but again the principles will apply in the community. No direct reference is made to physiotherapy or indeed to any of the professions allied to medicine. One of the many recommendations is t o ‘standardise a s far as possible on consumables and equipment throughout the trust, ensuring the involvement of clinicians and other users, as well as maintenance, training and finance staff ’. For those interested in major stock control, supplies procurement, finance and resource, the report should prove beneficial, but otherwise it has little direct relevance to physiotherapy.
Sue Prenter MCSP Read Any Good Books Lately? If you know of a book which would be of interest to readers of Physiotherapy and it has not already been reviewed, please tell the editor its title, authodeditor and publisher.
I
I
Physiotherapy, August 1997, vol 83, no 8