Upper Body Disorders

Upper body disorders, medically referred to as "musculoskeletal disorders" represent a variety of problems involving repetitive stress injuries of the tendons, muscles, nerves and supporting structures. They can range in severity from occasional to frequent, or from annoying to debilitating.

The disorders of the upper body and extremities have been studied for many years. Most often, such studies have focused on the arms, hands, wrists, shoulders and elbows. Literally volumes have been written regarding the specific disorders associated with these body parts, i.e. carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrists, epicondylitis in the elbows, DeQuervains disease in the hands, just to name a few.

Fewer, but not less important, studies have addressed the symptoms associated with the neck experienced by workers performing repetitive job functions. The simple truth is that the same work exposures that affect the upper body also can affect the neck. Work exposures such as awkward postures and repetitive movements have been linked to disorders of the neck; disorders that are no less serious than those involving the hands, wrists or elbows.

A recent publication of NIOSH (1997) reviewed more than 230 research studies of work- related disorders of the upper extremities. Among these studies, 89 of them included investigations of work factors relating to disorders in the neck and shoulders. The review committee for this publication concluded that there was "strong evidence that high levels of static contraction, prolonged static loads or extreme working postures . . . increased the risk for neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders."