This month we are going to spend some time looking at Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) or repetitive movement injuries.  When workers are doing the same movements over and over again whether it is lifting, shoveling or even sitting at a desk, they can often develop issues with their soft tissues.   Muscles, tendons and nerves get damaged by these motions or in some cases lack of motion.

According to Statistics Canada, 2.3 million Canadian adults annually experience a MSD serious enough to limit their normal activities; and the majority of these injuries are caused by work-related activity.  The economic costs are estimated to be $26 billion. 

My wife Chris has issues with her neck and shoulders from years of sitting in front of a computer screen, while I have issues with my feet from standing on concrete floors. Chris now gets up and moves around or changes positions regularly, while I try never to stand in one spot for any length of time.  If you have ever trained with me you may have noticed I am always shifting feet or waking around the room. These small changes have helped both of us with our issues.