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Chronic Pain and Work Productivity

Chronic Pain and Work Productivity

Team members with chronic pain, arthritis, or other injuries/conditions may struggle to sit in an uncomfortable chair for long periods of time, causing physical pain and anxiety that can lead to lower performance capabilities.

Consider adding foldable massage chairs to the meeting space. To ensure your company is set up for success, your team’s physical and mental health should be highly considered. Investing in foldable massage chairs or other ergonomic solutions can help reduce the costs associated with absenteeism and lower productivity.

Studies show the average reported reduction in work productivity was roughly 2.4 hours per week for adults with joint pain, with approximately 9.8 hours per week for adults with multisite chronic pain.

workplace pain

Here’s a brief list of things that chronic pain affects in the workplace:

  1. Concentration and focus
  2. Job performance
  3. Job satisfaction
  4. Physical mobility
  5. Task completion
  6. Problem-solving
  7. Stress levels
  8. Productivity
  9. Quality of work
  10. Interpersonal relationships
  11. Company softball team or golf league performance (Ok, maybe this won’t affect your company’s profits, but it does affect “company morale”)

So, what does that look like in dollar signs for your bottom line? Let’s take a look at the economic impact of chronic pain on a business’s ability to be profitable and successful.

 

What is the economic impact of chronic pain on businesses?

Recent studies found that the total incremental cost of health care due to pain ranged from $261 to $300 billion. The value of lost productivity is based on three estimates: days of work missed (ranging from $11.6 to $12.7 billion), hours of work lost (from $95.2 to $96.5 billion), and lower wages (from $190.6 to $226.3 billion).

If you are considering adding massage chairs to your break room or conference room space, check with your HR department, as many massage chairs or tools are covered under many different plans, such as within the HSA or FSA accounts.

Massage chairs are an effective way to reduce physical pain and discomfort, improve mental health, and improve overall job performance. With the increasing prevalence of chronic pain, businesses recognize the importance of investing in ergonomic solutions to reduce the costs associated with absenteeism and lower productivity.

A massage chair can provide a comfortable and supportive surface for workers to sit on for extended periods of time or work out pain points and knots during the work day. Studies have shown that using massage chairs in the workplace can reduce stress, improve concentration and focus, and enhance overall job performance. This can result in fewer days missed due to illness, fewer distractions in the workplace, and enhanced productivity. Furthermore, using massage chairs can improve team morale and reduce tension, increasing job satisfaction.

The economic impact of investing in massage chairs is significant. By investing in massage chairs, businesses can reduce the costs associated with employee absenteeism and lower productivity while improving employee morale and job satisfaction, resulting in greater profits for the company overall.

 

Reasonable adjustments for chronic pain

While productivity is essential, consistently doing too much when living with chronic pain can lead to sheer exhaustion, which may require a day or two off work to recuperate. On the other hand, working at a comfortable and steady pace throughout the day promotes improved productivity and reduces work absences.

And having foldable massage chairs throughout the office would be a reasonable adjustment to make for team members suffering from pain or, worse, chronic pain.

Reasonable adjustments for chronic pain in the workplace can go beyond providing massage chairs. Companies can also consider other adjustments to ensure their team members are able to work in a comfortable environment.

One way is to provide adjustable desks and chairs to accommodate workers with chronic pain. Adjustable desks and chairs can be adjusted to the user’s comfort level, and they can help relieve pressure on joints, reduce fatigue, and improve posture.

Another way to make reasonable adjustments is to provide ergonomic office accessories like footrests, wrist rests, and lumbar supports. These ergonomic products can help reduce strain on the body and help relieve pain.

Companies may also consider providing flexible working hours and work-from-home options. Flexible schedules allow employees to work during their most productive times, reducing the pressure to complete tasks during a certain period. In addition, work-from-home options can enable team members to work in an environment specifically tailored to their needs.

Finally, employers should provide access to mental health resources. Living with chronic pain can be very mentally taxing, and having access to mental health support can help team members cope with the stress of their condition.

Reasonable adjustments for chronic pain are essential to ensure team members can work in an environment that is comfortable, supportive, and conducive to productivity. By making these adjustments, companies can reduce the costs associated with absenteeism and lower productivity while increasing job satisfaction and morale.

 

Chronic pain statistics worldwide

Chronic pain is a common disease; about 20% of people worldwide suffer from it. Chronic pain is a global issue, affecting one in five people worldwide. In China, research indicates that the prevalence of chronic pain is estimated to be around 20%. This means that in a Chinese population of 1 million people, 200,000 people would be living with chronic pain.

In other countries, the prevalence of chronic pain may vary due to differences in healthcare systems and treatments. For example, in the United States, the National Institutes of Health estimates the prevalence of chronic pain at 40 million people, or 17%. This means that in a U.S. population of 1 million, 170,000 people would live with chronic pain.

 

Chronic pain and work productivity

Chronic pain can significantly impact work productivity, leading to increased costs for businesses due to absenteeism and lower productivity. However, companies that make reasonable adjustments to ensure their team members work in a comfortable and supportive environment, providing massage chairs, adjustable desks, ergonomic office accessories, flexible working hours, and access to mental health resources tend to be the most profitable and successful.

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