Kathmandu, April 15

The number of office workers suffering from musculoskeletal disorders is increasing.

“Office workers are also found to be suffering from back pain. There is strain in sacroiliac joints and it is painful,” said Dr Yagya Khadka, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Green City Hospital, Basundhara.

“The number of patients suffering from back pain has gone up in the last three years. In the past, of the twenty patients who visited the hospital only one or two patients complained of back pain. However, the number has increased significantly in recent years,” said Dr Khadka. The patients complaining of injuries or pain in joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons, and structures that support limbs, neck and back are increasing, according to the doctor.

Back ache usually occurs when one sits in chair for long time. It is because of the incorrect posture. It is seen more in the people working in offices because they maintain the same posture day in day out, according to the doctor.

Such employees are also found to be suffering from blackberry thumb — an irritation of the thumb tendons from repetitive movements. “Texting has become more popular, and people are having more of these symptoms,” added the doctor.

“There is more pressure in the ligaments when one uses computers or uses mobile phone for a long time. This is why the patients suffer from the pain in the thumb and fingers,” said Dr Khadka.

“In comparison to men, women are more likely to suffer from these problems because of their ligaments are more flexible,” informed Dr Khadka.

To avoid the problem of back pain, people who work in offices should take a break for a few minutes in every 30 minutes. Stretching should be done but hard stretching should be avoided. One should sit in correct posture and do regular exercise.