A leading local posture expert is warning that businesses are losing money by not preventing simple back and neck problems before they happen.
Newton Aycliffe-based Melanie Rowland is an osteopath and ergonomist with more than 20 years’ experience working with industry.
She says companies could save themselves a lot of money and HR headaches by employing simple and proven techniques to reduce absenteeism and increase productivity.
Melanie – pictured (above, left) giving advice to work station-based employee Andria Murphy – has worked with firms including Husqvarna, Ineos, Electrolux, the local post office, RPMI and other SME’s over the years and has a proven track record of improving employees’ work stations, as well as treating back problems and getting them back to work.
Six out of ten people all suffer from back pain at some time in their life, while around 31 million days are lost due musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as back and neck pain.
It affects 9.6 million Brits, costs the UK £7bn a year and makes up 12.5% of all sick days in the country.
They’re alarming stats, but Melanie insists firms don’t have to be left counting the cost.
“It’s all about prevention,” says Melanie, who lives and works in Aycliffe.
“The amount of people suffering from back pain and how much it’s costing the industry is alarming, and it’s because a lot of people now are spending a lot of time in offices.
“The day begins getting out of bed, drive to work, get to the office and sit at your desk for most of the day. A lot of people now even eat their lunch at their desk.
“Employers have a duty under DSE regulations to give employees a work station assessment but for many companies it is obvious just a tick-box exercise.
“Generally if employers don’t do anything, it can sometimes be too late – closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
“The problem is that most people have to adapt to their work station, rather than having it set up to suit them.
“Managers pay attention to style over function, it’s all about the office looking nice. I’ve visited countless businesses that have carried out expensive office refurbs, spending a fortune on the design and swish, but inappropriate furniture.
“It’s far better for me to get involved at the start, not at the end when problems happen.”
Melanie also has a proven track record of treating people with back problems, and has her own clinic at the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) in Newton Aycliffe, where she treats members of the public.
She added: “As much as prevention, it’s about getting the early diagnosis as well as treatment.
“I’m able to do that. Patients are often referred to me by doctors because back problems can’t always be solved quickly by a GP.”
Melanie recently completed work station assessments for staff at the PCP in Aycliffe.
Staff initially filled in a questionnaire prior to assessment, Melanie then observed each member of staff while they worked, and demonstrated, how to set up a workstation that was more efficient for their needs. Melanie then completed a final report for the PCP with recommendations.
Operations manager Chris Thwaites said: “The ethos of PCP is that it’s not about the business it is about people.
“Melanie’s assessment of staff work stations has proven to have a positive impact on the day to day running of the business with staff saying they feel more comfortable in their work environment, especially knowing that the PCP values its staff and volunteers health.”
There are five major blunders that employers make in the work place, which are too-wide keypads, big under desk drawers, screens being too far away or raised too high, staff not knowing how to operate their chairs and disorganised desks.
• You can contact Melanie on: 01325 316402, 07867 555801 or [email protected]; or go to www.osteopath-ergonomics.co.uk
