What you need to do

Staff affected by MSK issues or conditions are encouraged to access and enquire about self-management courses or training.

Why this is important for you

Providing employees with training or signposting to self-management courses is an effective way for employees to broaden their knowledge about the importance of good MSK health. Promoting good MSK health is very important because MSK related health problems are a leading cause of absence in the UK. In addition, depression is four times more common for those in persistent pain than in those without such pain, showing that there is high comorbidity in those with MSK issues, increasing the risk of absence and poor mental wellbeing. Providing effective support and training that is relevant and tailored to their workplace helps to create a safe and harmonious working environment, reducing the risk of absence and MSK related ill-health.

How you can achieve this

Staff should be supported to work flexibly to attend self-management courses during the working day or be allowed time off to attend.

In house or external sessions could also be made available to staff, for example mindfulness, resilience, CBT or acupuncture sessions.

ESCAPE-pain is a rehabilitation programme for people with chronic joint pain: ‘Enabling Self-management and Coping with Arthritic Pain using Exercise’.

The ESCAPE-pain app is available for free on Apple and Android phones and tablets.

Expert patient programmes are also available.

How you can show you have achieved this

• Verbal discussions with staff.
• Example of any sessions offered eg mindfulness, resilience etc.

Toolkit - National Resources

General

HSE have produced guidance on musculoskeletal disorders.

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has exercise leaflets and posters which you can download for desk exercises.

The BHSF has a guide to help employers support homeworkers with musculoskeletal issues.

Smart Work and Life provides tips and resources with reducing sitting time across the working day.

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance have resources on conversation starters for workplace discussions on musculoskeletal disorders.

Active working provides individuals and organisations helpful tips and resources on how to keep themselves active and engaged whilst at work.

Get Britain Standing is campaign to grow awareness and educate on the dangers of sedentary behaviour.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists has created a section of their website particularly for GP information on exercises for patients with free downloads and plenty of advice on a range of conditions including keeping health at work.

Understanding and managing pain: information for patients - The British Pain Society leaflet has a good description about pain and exercise p17-19, including a pain cycle diagram and very sensible explanations to help understand pain.

ShoulderDoc.co.uk - A website designed to provide information for patients and doctors on shoulder injuries.

Versus Arthritis - Advice on exercise to manage pain and arthritis. 

Versus Arthritis - Exercise sheets and videos on:

• Ankle sprain exercises
• Back pain exercises
• Knee pain exercises
• Neck pain exercises
• Osteoarthritis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Shoulder pain exercises
• Elbow pain including tennis elbow
• Keep moving conditions for home exercises

The NHS has guides on the following:

Back

Back stretches

Protecting your back at work

Back pain information

Back pain guide

Joint

Shoulder pain

Knee exercises

Chronic pain

10 ways to reduce pain

Pain Management

NHS One You has resources on the following issues; stress less, eat better, alcohol, smoking, physical activities and sleep.

ENEI offer a range of events and training for members and non-members throughout the year.

What you need to do

Managers are able to support and signpost staff to accessible physiotherapy services as recommended by a health care professional, to enable them to remain in/return to work.

Why this is important for you

Signposting to physiotherapy services is important and beneficial as physiotherapy is a clinically effective and cost effective way of getting people back to work who are suffering from MSK health problems. Physiotherapy allows workers to avoid absence and injury as well as the potential secondary health consequences of sickness absence or even unemployment (CSP, 2010).

How you can achieve this

Staff with MSK conditions or issues should be able to access physiotherapy during the working day or be allowed time to attend. Staff can be encouraged to work flexibly during the work day in order to attend.

Managers should take time to find out about the resources and services in their area. When choosing a physiotherapist, make sure they are chartered (they will have MCSP after their name) and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK’s chartered physiotherapists.

How you can show you have achieved this

• Verbal discussions with staff.
• Evidence of resource and services guidance given by managers.

Toolkit - National Resources

Public Health England release musculoskeletal diseases profile annually. It has been designed to bring together data on a single platform, to enable the commissioning of high value musculoskeletal services. Data are provided in a user-friendly format.

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website.

Smart Work and Life provides tips and resources with reducing sitting time across the working day.

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance have resources on conversation starters for workplace discussions on musculoskeletal disorders.

Active working provides individuals and organisations helpful tips and resources on how to keep themselves active and engaged whilst at work.

Understanding and managing pain: information for patients - The British Pain Society leaflet has a good description about pain and exercise p17-19, including a pain cycle diagram and very sensible explanations to help understand pain.

Versus Arthritis - Advice on exercise to manage pain and arthritis. 

Versus Arthritis - Exercise sheets and videos for patients on:

• Ankle sprain exercises
• Back pain exercises
• Knee pain exercises
• Neck pain exercises
• Osteoarthritis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Shoulder pain exercises
• Elbow pain including tennis elbow
• Keep moving conditions for home exercises