PREVALENCE OF LOW-BACK-PAIN AMONG PHYSICAL-THERAPISTS IN EDMONTON, CANADA

Questionnaires were sent to 462 physical therapists in Edmonton, Canad a, to determine the prevalence of work-related low back pain (LBP) and to characterize those who reported pain. Of the 311 (67.3%) valid que stionnaires returned, 49.2% reported back pain due to work. The occurr ence rates of work-related LBP among physical therapists in Edmonton w as higher than that of the general population reported in Canada (27%) , Great Britain (27%), and the United States (26-29%). There was no si gnificant difference (p less than or equal to 0.05) between those with and without work-related LBP. The initial onset of work-related LBP f requently occurred within the first 5 years of practice as a physical therapist, and before the age of 30. Hospitals and private practices w ere the most prevalent work settings in which injury occurred. Patient handling, bending, stooping, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling were the commonly described activities causing precipitation of injury . The severity of back discomfort had been sufficient to require 13.7% of therapists to stop their work. Despite LBP, 35.3% of the pain suff erers continued to work. Over half(55.4%) of the respondents with curr ent work-related LBP demonstrated little or no disability.