Why Is There So Much CTD Today?
People often ask why we see so many cumulative trauma disorders today, when we heard very little about this problem a few years ago.
There are many reasons for why we see so many cumulative trauma disorders today, when we heard very little about this problem a few years ago. Jobs are different. Work technique is different. People are different. Attitudes are different. The world is changing. One very significant change that has lead to an epidemic of cumulative trauma disorders is modernization of the workplace...automation of job tasks...highly focused and specialized jobs. Years ago, a typical worker carried out several tasks using many muscles in a variety of postures with heavy physical effort. Today's jobs, however, often require the worker to hold a sustained posture such as sitting or standing all day while they carry out the same task over and over and over. Years ago workers used most of their muscles to do work all day long. Many jobs today focus the entire work day onto one or two small sets of muscles that must hold or repeat a motion all day. It is not the physical force that we worry about. It is the amount of time these muscles and tendons spend under tension, reducing their blood supply.