The Second Edition of this comprehensive text provides an introduction to ergonomic concepts and discusses their application to clinical practice. As occupational and physical therapists take more active roles in work performance, and workplace safety and rehabilitation, they need to acquire the tools and techniques of ergonomics. This book teaches therapists the skills they need to analyze work environments, change work habits, and prevent injury.

This comprehensive resource provides a strong medical, ergonomic, and industrial foundation for understanding and managing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in business and industry. Addressing multiple perspectives - including the individual worker, insurance companies, regulatory agencies, industry, and the medical community, this practical text provides an integrated approach to understanding and management of these conditions. Well-referenced and highly organized, it follows a logical progression that moves from presenting a broad background on the historical and present day phenomena of MSDs, to explanation of the multiple risk factors involved with MSDs, including physiologic, biomechanical, and psychosocial factors. A strong physiologic, biomechanical, and psychological basis for understanding work-related MSDs is provided. A thorough review of medical conditions associated with work-related MSDs is included because they directly affect analysis, assessment, and treatment of MSDs. Actual work-related MSD programs for high-risk industries and populations are presented. A sophisticated outcome assessment model for work-related MSDs provides a practical approach for therapists to use when assessing patients. Content is well organized, beginning with a discussion of the various professional perspectives of those involved with treating work-related MSDs, then addressing the medical diagnosis and treatment, the ergonomic analysis and intervention, and cost-benefit analyses. Extensive referencing throughout provides an evidence-based approach for analysis and treatment of work-related MSDs. A comprehensive discussion is included on the risk factors that contribute to work-related MSDs. A panel of highly recognizable contributors provides expertise so readers can get first hand knowledge from the pros. Content covers home and leisure as well as work-related MSDs to help readers understand how to treat special situations, such as geriatrics, children, and the home. The structure of the book is set up in a logical and easy-to-read manner that offers a client-centered approach as well as a systems perspective on the management of MSDs using a variety of modalities. Each chapter has been completely updated with extensive references to the history of work, latest research on biomechanical and psychosocial risk factors for MSDs, latest ergonomic assessment tools (including EMGs), treatment of MSDs, and regulatory information. Several groundbreaking chapters have been added - The Expanded Definition of Ergonomics, Joint-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Ergonomics of Caring for Children, Ergonomics in the Home, and Management of the Older Worker.

Advanced therapies and technologies, new service delivery methods, and care upgrades in underserved areas are translating into improved quality of life for millions with disabilities. Occupational therapy parallels this progress at the individual level, balancing short-term recovery and adaptation with long-term independence and well-being. This Second Edition of the International Handbook of Occupational Therapy Interventions builds on its ground-breaking predecessor by modelling current clinical standards rooted in scientific evidence-based practice. Its interventions are applied to a diverse range of client disabilities, with many new or rewritten chapters on workplace and vehicle accommodations, smart home technologies, end-of-life planning, and other salient topics. New introductory chapters spotlight core competencies in the field, from assessing client needs and choosing appropriate interventions to evaluating programs and weighing priorities. And for increased educational value, interactive case studies allow readers an extra avenue for honing clinical reasoning and decision-making skills. Of particular note is a new chapter providing a taxonomy—the Occupational Therapy Intervention Framework—and a validation study of its categories and concepts, delineating the occupational therapist’s roles and the expected outcomes. Intervention areas featured in the Handbook include: ● Adaptive interventions, OTs manage and facilitate clients’ adaptations. ● Learning interventions, OTs teach and the clients learn or relearn. ● Enabling interventions, OTs enable clients to be meaningfully occupied. ● Preventing interventions, OTs prevent ill-health and promote clients’ ability to sustain health in daily life. The Second Edition of the International Handbook of Occupational Therapy Interventions is career-affirming reading for all members of rehabilitation teams, including occupational and physical therapists and rehabilitation nurses. Students intending to enter this growing field and professionals working toward its continued improvement will find it useful and inspiring.

Comprehensive, authoritative, research-based information to help manual therapists prevent injury, enhance their practice, and prolong their careers. Includes practical information, advice and suggestions on good body mechanics, designing the workspace for greater comfort and safety, protecting vulnerable parts of the body by finding alternative techniques, staying in shape with a conditioning program designed by a doctor of physical therapy specifically for manual therapists, and recognizing and treating early symptoms to keep them from turning into injury. Written by a leading expert with over 13 years of experience and a certified professional ergonomist with over 17 years of experience, with contributions by a doctor of physical therapy with over 20 years of experience. Written in an accessible, easy-to-read style, this all-new second edition includes over 80 illustrations and photographs and has been endorsed by many prominent members of the manual therapy community.

Despite the apparently distinct differences between the disciplines of ergonomics and rehabilitation, they deal with the same issues, although at different ends of the spectrum. Keeping this in mind, Ergonomics for Rehabilitation Professionals explores their philosophies and goals, their parallel, divergent, and complementary aspects. It traces the

A systems approach to understanding and minimizing the causes of low back pain in the workplace Low back pain affects 80% of the population at some point during their lifetime; it is responsiblefor over 40% of the compensation costs for work-related injuries. This book provides an understanding of the mechanisms influencing low back pain in the workplace and indicates how low back pain might be prevented, saving employers extraordinary amounts in medical costs and protecting workers from the most common on-the-job injury. With a unique, multidisciplinary perspective that shows how various influences or risk factors can be considered collectively, The Working Back: A Systems View: Explains basic concepts in anatomy and physiology that are essential to understanding and preventing low back pain Provides a systems perspective on the occupational causes of back pain, not only addressing factors such as spine loading, but also considering the potential impact of psychosocial and organizational interactions, genetics, and physiology Discusses implementing preventive engineering and administrative controls and integrating risk interventions into the workplace Offers an expert analysis of current medical research on low back pain in one comprehensive, accessible reference This book gives readers the knowledge to assess a work environment and prescribe effective interventions. It is a hands-on reference for ergonomists, manufacturing engineers, process engineers, industrial engineers and managers, safety engineers, nurses, therapists, chiropractors, physicians, and workers with back pain. It is also an excellent resource for graduate or undergraduate students of kinesiology, physiology, ergonomics, physical therapy, nursing, industrial design, engineering, and general medicine.

Whether you call them work-related upper limb disorders (WRULDs), cumulative trauma disorders (CTDS), or occupational overuse syndromes (OOSs), these conditions are a cause of pain, disability and suffering to workers worldwide. These designations often imply that their causes are related to work, but the supporting evidence can be unclear. Transparency is important, especially when it is necessary to form a connection with work factors to obtain treatment or compensation. This book addresses the dilemma. Written by a professional ergonomist with almost 40 years of experience in workplace ergonomics, this book combines a critical summary and assessment of the epidemiological literature with an exploration of the scientific and medical evidence for possible causal mechanisms to develop well-informed conclusions on causation of a number of common musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb and intervertebral disc injury. Although much of the book focuses on physical factors, the role of psychosocial factors is increasingly being recognized and an additional chapter reviews a number of the current theories relating to this important issue. Features Focuses on a clear and authoritative account of the evidence for the role of work in the causation of commonly occurring ULDs and disc injury Provides an up-to-date compilation of the scientific evidence, devoid of views based on assumptions or prejudice Presents a clear explanation of the most likely causal mechanisms for common ULDs and disc injuries Includes a summary of theories concerning the role played by psychosocial factors Outlines the statistical evidence in a clear and understandable manner Bridges the gap between the evidence-base in the scientific and medical research literature and the practitioner