A new study published by Hinge Health, State of MSK 2022, recently investigated the alarming percentage of American employees experiencing musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and currently seeking treatment. The published study surveyed more than 252 million American citizens, defying the alarming statistic that every 1 in 2 Americans experiences some form of chronic MSK. 

Industries, where employees are constantly exposed to MSK diagnoses include software businesses, utility management, retail, transportation, hospitality, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and more. The most afflicted industries often require employees to conduct hard manual labor or remain inactive in sedentary positions for long periods of the day.

MSK is commonly observed in full-time employees as back, neck, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal pain. These symptoms often accompany the hazards associated with sitting and working at a desk, impacting the employee over long periods. The study also analyzed the economic expenditure on MSK-related inquiries and discovered its national costs have more than doubled over the last decade. The cost to treat MSK is one of the third largest industries in the United States healthcare system, totaling more than $600 billion annually.

The Hinge study also acknowledged that the driving factor behind increasing costs is the undeniable connection between MSK and mental health treatments, as affected employees often use double the average worker’s sick days.  The average worker misses 8.2 days of work, while employees experiencing symptoms of MSK miss up to 13 days annually to deal with their treatment and mental health. The sheer absence of millions of workers for extended durations of time throughout the annual work year alone costs businesses and the greater US economy millions of dollars.

The impacts of MSK are affecting many aspects of employee health and welfare in the United States, as medical costs and health inequities continue to increase. Access to MSK-associated healthcare, medicines, and affordable treatments have continued to drive up prices, far surpassing the economic costs shared by employers to treat other ailments like heart disease ($309 billion), cancer ($243 billion), and diabetes ($188 billion). It is no surprise that medical costs, insurance, and access to treatments have all become a much larger burden on the lower and middle working class of America.

The nuances of MSK and its lack of study have also prevented many employer insurance companies from effectively covering their employee’s risk of MSK exposure and rehabilitation. The lack of understanding has only recently resulted in studies highlighting the close relation to employee mental health and welfare. Chronic pain can often intensify mental challenges resulting in increased anxiety and depression, worsening the MSK symptoms. Many health insurances fail to fill the gap in social and behavioral support needed to recuperate from mental health symptoms associated with the effects of chronic MSK in the workplace. 

Solutions recommended by the Hinge report and other health professionals suggest filling the gaps in coverage by addressing issues with physical recovery, behavioral support, and medical services. Remote care and support are ultimately important in treating the patient’s physical self-care and mental health. With digital accessibility at an all-time high, connecting patients to health professionals is easier than ever, and acquiring the kind of frequent care needed to recover from MSK complications entirely.