Dr. Joe Davis, PhD of NC State University Department of Engineering Ergonomics/Biomechanics says “yes”.  NIOSH reports that 80% of US workers will have back pain and 75% of workers will have wrist & hand pain at some time in their working life.  Engineering solutions are useful in preventing future injury and are the preferred method of managing current discomfort at work.

Nutrition can also be an effective measure in managing discomfort in the early stages of inflammation and can provide long-term benefits to build the body’s defenses against future injury.  This is because the body is strengthened at the cellular level.  Dr. Davis recommends a balanced diet of nutrient-rich foods and vitamin supplements to improve the quality of the nutrient pathway in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

To see a full copy of the document by Dr. Joe Davis, go to http://www.aiha.org/aihce07/handouts/rt226davis.pdf.

Do you have any research on the effects of nutrition on workplace health?  If so, we would like to hear from you.

– Vic Zuccarello, OTR/L, C.E.A.S. II, ABDA