Influence of Occupation on the Prevalence of Spinal Pain among Physiotherapists and Nurses

Abstract

(1) Background: Neck pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP) are common musculoskeletal disorders, one of the major causes of disability globally. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of medical occupation (physiotherapist and nurse) on the prevalence of spinal pain, functional status and degree of disability. (2) Methods: a total of 544 people (462 females (84.9%) and 82 males (15.1%)), licensed to practice as a physiotherapist (n1 = 240 (44.1%)) or nurse (n2 = 304 (55.9%)) in Poland completed a special questionnaire designed by the authors of the study, and were assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI, Polish language version) and Revised Oswestry Disability Index (ODI, Polish language version). (3) Results: Compared to physiotherapists, nurses were older, shorter, had higher BMI, and longer work experience. In the whole study group, 30.2% of subjects reported NP, 17.7% reported thoracic pain (ThP) and 80.5% reported LBP. During working life, 90.9% of physiotherapists and 97.7% of nurses experienced spinal pain. Pain intensity measured with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was higher among nurses (mean 5.37) than among physiotherapists (mean 4.64). Nurses had a higher degree of disability caused by LBP and NP measured with ODI and NDI compared to physiotherapists. (4) Conclusions: Excessive strain of the spine associated with occupational activities has a strong impact on the intensity and frequency of spinal pain episodes. Physiotherapists and nurses mainly suffer from low back pain. Pain scores measured with VAS are higher in nurses than in physiotherapists.