Warnings to teachers to take care of their backs (From Salisbury Journal)

Warnings to teachers to take care of their backs

1:50pm Tuesday 3rd January 2012 in News By Corey Ross

A SALISBURY osteopath is warning teachers of the health risks they face due to large classes, a lack of resources and limited rewards.

A recent study has revealed teachers have a high risk of developing disorders in the neck, back and shoulders because of stressful working conditions.

Rhian Osborne, an osteopath who runs Not Just Backs in Exeter Street, said: “Physical stress imposed on the body by protracted periods of poor posture, sitting on chairs designed for children not adults, etc, will produce muscle and joint imbalances, strains and soft tissue stresses which become habitual leading to more chronic recurring pains and episodes of pain.

“It is the chronic build up of strain and habitual bad posture that leads to many of the problems that osteopaths frequently see related to the teaching profession, particularly towards the end of term.”

The study, which compared a variety of worldwide research projects into the prevalence of MSD (musculoskeletal disorders) among teaching staff, also found female teachers are more likely to suffer musculoskeletal problems than male teachers.

To see the full report go to biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/12/260/abstract.