There has never been a time when the role of the Occupational Health Physiotherapist in the workplace has been so vital. Worker’s musculoskeletal disorders account for 49% of sickness absence.

With over 9 million work days lost each year in Britain as a result of musculoskeletal injuries amounting to over £550 million costs to their employers, physiotherapists are extremely well placed to provide a vital role in supporting employees and employers.

Back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders are the biggest cause of sickness absence in the workplace. They account for nearly a third of the total time taken off sick from work.

In the current economic climate small-medium enterprises (SMEs) may not feel they have the resources to implement health & well being programmes. However, employers in all businesses and organisations, whatever their size and resources, can take positive action to reduce the costs of ill-health. Occupational Physiotherapy is the first stop to improving the health and productivity of your workforce helping your organisation to maximise their prime asset – the workforce. Focusing on employee health, wellbeing and productivity, occupational physiotherapy is a cost effective treatment for acute and long term sickness absence.

Whalley Physio utilises a range of cost effective & clinically proven approaches to treating and preventing workplace injuries. Physiotherapy is proven to have substantial business benefits for organisations of all sizes. Similar schemes have demonstrated returns of up to £34.00 for every £1.00 invested in terms of reduced absence rates & improved staff retention by providing an in-house physiotherapy service for it’s staff.

When should I use Occupational Physiotherapy? Occupational Physiotherapists help both businesses and individuals to reduce the cost of musculoskeletal injury through effective rehabilitation and probably more importantly, prevention.

As well as reducing sickness absence, good management advice will reduce risk of litigation.

There is a growing recognition that sickness is best tackled by services that are more proactive in promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing illness and early intervention. Physiotherapists already follow this model by working at every stage of the care system, from offering preventative advice to providing therapy and rehabilitation and empowering individuals to maintain their own health afterwards.

Prevention is better than cure, so don’t wait until you see the signs of overloaded necks and backs in your organisation. Take action now by putting preventative processes in place and establishing effective treatment.