Work is often seen as a hazard, overshadowing its potential to enhance well-being, instil life values, promote development, and foster health. A special issue of WORK is challenging this perspective: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, which, in partnership with the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and published by IOS Press (now part of Sage), addresses the urgent need to examine this balance through the lens of cutting-edge social and health research.

Work fulfils essential human needs in many respects—it not only provides income but also facilitates social interactions and, for many, represents a significant life value that encourages social and intellectual growth. Returning to work is often seen as a primary goal in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Yet, transforming the workplace into a health-promoting environment remains a substantial challenge.

Karen Jacobs, Guest Editor from Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, and the Editor-in-Chief of WORK, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration between the two journals on the critical issue of work-related pain. She emphasised the goal of heightening awareness of the existing challenges and initiating a call to action to ensure workplaces are safe and supportive environments where individuals can thrive and secure a sustainable livelihood.

Remko Soer, another Guest Editor from the University of Groningen and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, highlighted the necessity of moving beyond viewing work as just a risk factor. He advocates for a paradigm where work results in well-being, life values, development, and health. There’s much to learn from those who continue to work despite musculoskeletal issues and how employers can better support individuals with disabilities, those from minority backgrounds, or older workers.

Dr. Soer also noted that while physically demanding jobs significantly increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, ensuring workplace safety is fundamental to fostering a healthy working environment. Particularly in low- and middle-income countries, working conditions in some industries are often substandard. In the West, the emergence of a 24-hour online culture has blurred the lines between personal and professional life, contributing to increased work-related stress and associated conditions like burnout, depression, and chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia.

The special issue includes 15 insightful papers focusing on various aspects of work-related pain, including burnout, work ability, quality of life, occupational rehabilitation, return to work strategies, and ergonomics. One notable article is a systematic literature review on the effectiveness of occupational rehabilitation in facilitating return to work for individuals with back pain, authored by Linda Kalski and her team. Their review underscores the varied nature of rehabilitation programs and their differential impacts on return-to-work outcomes, highlighting the need for a standardised approach incorporating a high physical activity level.

This issue also acknowledges the increasing recognition of psychological and social factors in managing pain, with strategies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) gaining prominence. This marks a shift towards non-pharmacological pain management strategies, particularly significant in the context of the opioid crisis. Additionally, the issue explores the application of emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and wearable devices in pain management. These technologies are poised to revolutionise treatment by providing more personalised and real-time solutions.

These articles demonstrate that managing work-related pain necessitates a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach that integrates medical, psychological, and occupational therapies. When prevention of work-related issues is not feasible, the focus should shift to crafting tailored interventions and rehabilitation programs. Addressing work-related pain also involves navigating the complexities associated with disclosing pain conditions in the workplace due to the stigma and the unpredictable nature of pain symptoms. Dr Jacobs calls upon researchers, clinicians, employers, and policymakers to continue focusing on this critical issue and to enhance efforts to improve conditions globally, thereby fostering a healthier, more inclusive workforce.

More information: Linda Kalski et al, Efficacy of occupational rehabilitation in return to work for back pain: A systematic literature review, Work. DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230277

Journal information: Work Provided by IOS Press