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Sore Neck, Aching Back? Could Be 'Office-Itis'

Many Employees Sick Of Stress At Work

POSTED: Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Hand xray
Do you suffer from "office-itis"?

If you are always nodding off at your desk you just might, according to a new survey.

If you keep a bottle of aspirin by your stapler and regularly see a masseuse for neck and back pain, you are not alone. The survey reported that "office-itis" is actually a common problem -- workplace overexertion.

Nearly two-thirds of surveyed U.S. office workers (66 percent) said they experience some physical problems as a result of job-related stress or exertion.

"I've seen a number of patients with various aches and pains due to stress, improper posture and use of tools in the workforce," a press release quoted Dr. Jeffrey Mendelson, chief of orthopedics, St. John Macomb Hospital, in Warren, Mich., as saying.

He recommended an ergonomic workspace and frequent breaks.

"I recommend frequently getting up from their desk to get the blood flowing," Mendelson said.

The most common ailment was fatigue, followed closely by stress-related headaches. More than one-quarter of respondents said they've experienced back pain or neck strain.

Employees report fatigue, tension headaches, aches and pains and even vision problems.

Here are some reasons your co-workers might be frequently calling in sick or racking up hefty doctor bills, according to the survey:
  • 40 percent of office workers have experienced fatigue as a result of job-related stress or exertion.
  • 35 percent have had stress-related headaches.
  • 27 percent have gotten back pain, while 26 percent have felt neck strain.
  • 18 percent reported repetitive motion injuries (i.e. wrist sprain, hand cramp, etc.) as a result of at-work stress.
  • Other listed physical ailments included stomach discomfort (17 percent) and vision problems (15 percent).
  • Only about one in three office workers (34 percent) said they had not experienced any physical problems due to job-related stress or exertion.

Workplace massages ranked as the most wanted remedy, according to 46 percent of workers, followed by ergonomic desk chairs at 36 percent. Nearly one-quarter said larger or adjustable computer screens would alleviate some of their pain, while 27 percent would rather take more breaks to relieve stress.

And what causes office stress? Many workers said that they would change some things about their jobs in order to reduce stress. Dealing with office politics was cited the most, according to 43 percent of office workers. Dealing with problem clients came in second place, with 25 percent, and handling a difficult boss or client was third, with 21 percent of office workers wishing to alter these aspects of their job

But an employee can dream, right? When surveyed, the employees said there are many things they would rather do than being at work.

  • Almost three-quarters of U.S. office workers (71 percent) would prefer to spend time with their family (56 percent) and/or friends (54 percent) if their jobs required less effort, thus giving them more free time and energy outside of work hours.
  • Exercise was mentioned by many, with 61 percent of workers wanting to burn off their office frustrations, while 57 percent would travel and 55 percent would choose to read.
  • 36 percent would volunteer.
  • 35 percent would go to the movies or sleep.
  • 34 percent would kick back in front of the television.

Swingline Workplace Tools, a unit of ACCO Brands Corp., sponsored the study and polled 909 adults nationwide who work in an office setting.

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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