Ergonomics in Back Pain A Guide to Prevention and Rehabilitation

by Khalil, Tarek M.; Abdel-Moty, Elsayed M.; Rosomoff, Renee S.; Rosomoff, Hubert L.

• ISBN13: 9780471285441
• ISBN10: 0471285447
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1993-08-30
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Back pain is a leading cause of suffering, high medical costs, andloss of productivity in the workplace. Through a multidisciplinaryapproach, this book addresses the widespread problem ofmusculoskeletal injuries in general and lower back injury inparticular. It presents the principles of ergonomics andbioengineering and their application to the prevention andrehabilitation of lower back injuries. Special attention is givento ergonomic methodologies such as human performance analysis andfunctional capacity assessment. Ways to structure workplaces andjob tasks so as to minimize stresses to the back and improveproductivity are presented. Case studies and population profilesare drawn from ergonomic research performed at the ComprehensivePain and Rehabilitation Center at the University of Miami. Theauthors discuss the origins of low back pain, events that lead toinjury, and the consequences to employers. Back pain is correlatedwith specific occupational factors. Nearly 150 illustrationsfurther these discussions. Among the important preventive andtherapeutic measures explored are:
* Bodymechanics education and muscle reeducation
* Workplace design and biomechanics
* Functional electrical stimulation, electromyography, andbiofeedback
* Management of low back pain during rehabilitation andpost-rehabilitation stages
Extensive epidemiological data show the devastating effects of lowback pain on the economy, industry, and healthcare delivery. Alsoexamined are the role of medical personnel in the evaluation andtreatment of back pain and the contributions that can be made by anergonomist who is part of a multidisciplinary healthcare deliveryteam. Ergonomics in Back Pain is intended for use by ergonomists,physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists,vocational counselors, chiropractors, osteopaths, andrehabilitation medicine specialists, as well as by engineers,workplace designers, and people working on the implementation ofthe Americans with Disabilities Act.

Author Biography

About the Authors Tarek M. Khalil, Ph.D., P.E., is Chairman of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Professor of Industrial Engineering Biomedical Engineering, Neurological Surgery, and Epidemiology and Public Health, as well as Chief of the Ergonomics Division of the Comprehensive Pain and Rehabilitation Center, at the University of Miami, Florida. Elsayed M. Abdel-Moty, Ph.D., is Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Clinical Supervisor of the Ergonomics Division of the Comprehensive Pain and Rehabilitation Center, at the University of Miami, Florida. Renee S. Rosomoff, R.N., M.B.A., C.R.N., is Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery and Programs Director of the Comprehensive Pain and Rehabilitation Center, at the University of Miami, Florida. Hubert L. Rosomoff, M.D., D.Med.Sc., is Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery in the School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Comprehensive Pain and Rehabilitation Center at the University of Miami, Florida

Table of Contents

Ergonomics: Definition and Scope.

Low Back Pain.

Low Back Pain Management and the Role of Ergonomics.

Principles and Methods of Ergonomic Job Analysis and Workplace Design.

Principles and Methods of Interventions Through Postural Correction.

Principles and Methods of Interventions Through Biomechanical Approaches to Stress Reduction.

Principles and Methods of Interventions Through Knowledge and Awareness of Body Mechanics.

Principles and Methods of Interventions Through the Evaluation of Human Characteristics.

Principles and Methods of Interventions Through Biofeedback, Muscle Reeducation, and Functional Electric Stimulation.

Principles and Methods of Interventions Through Work Conditioning and Work Hardening.

Applications and Case Studies of Erogonmic Interventions.

Appendices.

Index.