Tendonitis and low back pain: causes, symptoms and how to prevent it

Tendonitis and low back pain are two of the most common work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
In this article, we discuss the main causes of these injuries in the working population, symptoms to watch out for and ways to prevent them.

Safety at Work and Occupational Health play a fundamental role in preventing work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
If you would like SEPRI to be your company’s health partner, please contact us at comunicacao@sepri.pt or on 253 271 525.

What factors contribute to tendonitis?

Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon.
The risk of developing tendonitis is higher when performing tasks that involve..:

  • Adopting incorrect postures

  • Repetitive movements

  • Exposure to vibrations

  • Vigorous effort

What are the main symptoms of tendonitis?

The main symptom of tendonitis is usually intense pain in one place, i.e. in the tendon that is inflamed.
Depending on the case, moving the affected limb will be a somewhat uncomfortable task.
Other symptoms include:

  • Limitation of movement – difficulty in bending or stretching arms and legs, for example

  • Loss of strength in the inflamed area

  • Heat, redness and swelling in the affected area

  • Decreased strength

How to prevent tendonitis?

At work:

– Avoid staying in the same position for too long;

– When making repetitive movements, take breaks and stretch your limbs;

– When sitting, get up from your chair periodically to rest your spine and move your legs.
Look for chairs that have a backrest with correct support for the torso and armrests;

– Avoid resting the phone on your shoulders when answering/making calls;

In everyday life:

– Try to adopt correct postures.
When you sit down, keep your feet flat on the floor, your knees at a 90-degree angle, your hips well supported on the chair and your back and arms supported at the right height;

– Exercise regularly, as this helps to keep your body strong and resilient to withstand the most damaging working positions and avoid serious injuries that could compromise your health and the quality of your work.

Now that we’ve touched on tendonitis, it’s important to talk about low back pain. LOMBALGIAS DE ESFORÇO: Click here to find out about causes, symptoms and prevention

Click here to download an awareness poster about tendonitis as a work-related musculoskeletal injury,

Other News