Workplace Case Study

Presenting Problem: Neck and Shoulder Pain and Stiffness

Duration: Two and a half years

Background: Mrs C's employer asked Ealing Physiotherapy to see what could be done to solve recurring neck and shoulder pain and stiffness.  It seemed to be work-related as Mrs C was much better during holidays and weekends, but had recently had to have time off during a busy period which brought the whole matter to light.

Christina Carlsen's assessment:  Mrs C was extremely hard working, and unhappy that she had to have time off.  She is 5 ft 1 inch tall and was working in a chair with very long arm rests.  So she had to bend forward to get close to her desk.  In addition, she had no foot rest. She sat too low with her shoulders pulled up in order to rest her feet on the floor and at the same time reach the keyboard.

Solution: Christina removed the arm rests from the chair, and a foot rest was ordered.  Mrs C's neck and shoulder area could now be relaxed while she did her work. (If Mrs C had preferred arm rests, chairs with shorter ones could have been found.) Additionally Christina showed her some neck and shoulder stretches to release the strain, and encouraged her to take a mini-break every twenty minutes.

Conclusion: Mrs C had gone through unnecessary worry about not doing her job during a busy period, and that there might be something seriously wrong.  The solution was simple - her chair and working space were not appropriate for her.  After the assessment she felt able to look after her neck and shoulders herself and avoid pain, as well as continue to enjoy her busy workload and concentrate better in the future.