Are you sitting comfortably? The political economy of the body

The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between the mass production of furniture in modern industrial societies and lower back pain (LBP). The latter has proven to be a major cost to health services and private industry throughout the industrialised world and now represents a global health issue as recent WHO reports on obesity and LBP reveal. Thus far there have been few co-ordinated attempts to deal with the causes of the problem through public policy. Drawing upon a range of sources in anthropology, health studies, politics and economics, the paper argues that this a modern social problem rooted in the contingent conjuncture of natural and social causal mechanisms. The key question it raises is: what are the appropriate mechanisms for addressing this problem? This paper develops an analysis rooted in libertarian social theory and argues that both the state and the capitalist market are flawed mechanisms for resolving this problem. There remains a fundamental dilemma for libertarians, however. Whilst the state and the market may well be flawed mechanisms, they are the dominant ones shaping global political economy. To what extent can libertarians work within these structures and remain committed to libertarian goals

Repetitive strain injury (cumulative trauma disorder): causes and treatment.

BACKGROUND: The computerization of the workforce in the last two decades has led to increases in the incidence of repetitive strain injury (RSI). U.S. Workers Compensation claims made by persons disabled in the upper extremities in 1989 were estimated to be $563 million. METHOD: Through an investigation of factors that increase the likelihood of contracting an RSI in various industries, the authors suggest a relation between workplace conditions, lack of education about causes of RSI and improper use of equipment among contemporary workers. RESULTS: A medical term which analyzes the unique history and mechanism of the injury and offers a unique regimen of exercise, education, modalities and some pain management has proven to be the most effective treatment for RSI. Damage to muscle and tendon due to RSI generally cannot be surgically repaired. However, specific nerve-related disorders can be treated with surgery if other more conservative treatments prove ineffective. CONCLUSION: Through foresight and education, industries in which specific factors render workers more likely to contract RSI can begin to take steps to minimize worker susceptibility to the disorder. Those industries will face large losses due to Workers\u27 Compensation claims, disability pay, lawsuits and ultimately lower productivity