[originally published in KCN, November 1999]
Every time I visit one of those “warehouse super-mega stores” I cringe when I see the employees outfitted with back belts as part of their official garb. Not because I’m judging it as some sort of fashion faux pas, but because I know the employer’s purpose of wanting to keep their work comp claims to a minimum, by preventing lower back injuries with these belts, is unfounded. As a matter of fact, these well meaning employers might actually be doing their employees’ backs more harm than good. Read the rest of this post »
[originally published in 
Described as the “nemesis of medicine and the albatross of industry,” it’s no wonder that countries across our globe seek to tame the ugly woes of good ol’ fashioned back pain. Statisticians tell us that 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives and of this about 35% will be work-related.
As we approach the beginning of yet another school year, I’m reminded of a growing concern that is circulating throughout our health care community. The concern I’m speaking of is that we are simply putting too much weight on our children’s shoulders. And while those in the various mental health professions would certainly support this statement, I’m looking at this problem more literally. The “weight “ I’m referring to is physical, and it comes from the overstuffed backpacks that our children lug to and from school everyday. Our children are becoming virtual pack mules, if you will, placing undue stress on their developing spines and thus giving birth to a whole host of future, and sometimes immediate, spinal and muscle related problems, including the obvious — back pain. 
While it goes without saying that no employer relishes the thought of having one of his employees on L&I due to a work injury, having that same work injury blossom into a long-term, chronic disability is enough to make any boss lose his lunch.
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