At a time when cost cutting is so prevalent in the oil and gas industry, reducing workforce absenteeism becomes ever more crucial in keeping the sector afloat.
According to a study by the Confederation of British Industry, 30% of all workplace absenteeism comes from lower back and neck pain and costs companies approximately £1,200 per employee per year. Over 90% of these injuries can be treated effectively and, withproper care, avoided altogether.
Low back and neck pain is the second biggest reason (behind the common cold) that people visit their GPs and three out of five Scots experience severe low back pain which will require treatment in their lifetime.
Jeff Cowley, of Aberdeen Chiropractic Clinic, specialises in occupational health and delivers regular seminars to oil and gas corporations. Mr Cowley explains the impact these injuries can have on “presenteeism”, as well as our ability to judge safety issues in the workplace.
He says: “Think of your nervous system as office wiring and each segment in your spine as being a power switch which routes energy to all the structures in your body. If a segment in your spine goes out, itis similar to turning down the power on a dimmer switch. Stuff still works, but not as well, and this has some far-reaching implications.”
Eline Pedersen, owner of Aberdeen Chiropractic Clinic,gives us further insight: “Chronic neck and back pain are often associated with a combination of physical trauma or inactivity, stress and chemical or nutritional imbalances in the body.
“People under pain and stress might start having irregular bowel movement, hormonal imbalances, increased cholesterol and blood pressure.
“The symptoms are not just individual problems popping up one after the other; there is a history that needs to be unwound to understand how each person can get well again and enjoy work and home life.”
In addition to their Great Western Road premises, Aberdeen Chiropractic Clinic has opened a new clinic at Westhill. Ms Pedersen believes this is crucial in catering for the oil and gas workforce:
“We see a lot of clients from different oil companies and appreciate their busy schedule. We can now offer chiropractic care on their doorstep, which minimises time away from their office.”
Ken Brown, a mechanical engineer from Aberdeen, said chiropractic care has stopped back pain affecting his life: “I've suffered from low back problems and I know how hard it is to work when you're in pain. Regular spine chiropractic care is important, as it helps to keep me at my best, at work and at home."