Dedeli Ozden
Background: Musculoskeletal pain, in particular low back pain, is one of the most common occupational health problems and accounts for a large number of workers’ compensational days and disability in modern industrialised societies. It is believed that occupational musculoskeletal pain is caused by multiple factors, generally categorised into physical, psychosocial and lifestyle ones. Aims: The aim of this review was to evaluate role of psychosocial and physical risk factors in work-related low back pain in the light of current literature. Methods and material: The method of this review evaluated both research and review studies in national and international literature which about role of psychosocial and physical risk factors in work-related low back pain. Results: Various physical factors mechanical impacts have been found to be associated with pain in different body regions. Heavy physical work, heavy or frequent manuel operations, repeated rotation of the trunk, whole body vibration and prolonged sitting were positively associated with low back pain. Psychosocial factors at work have also been shown to play important roles in the development of low back pain. Factors such as work demands, decision latitude, symptoms of stress and social support have been reported as important psychosocial factors at work. However, the causal and independent contribution of the work enviroment on the incidence of low back pain is stil debated, especially with regard to psychosocial factors. Conclusion: A number of researchers have been examined the evidence for psychosocial factors at work as risk factors for back pain in recent years. It is recommended to be addressed psychosocial factors as physical factors as for management of work related low back pain.
