Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions – problems with muscles, bones, and joints – affect around 20.8 million people in the UK, and they’re one of the biggest reasons people take time off work. For small businesses and sole traders, even a few weeks off can have a huge impact on income and capacity.
At a recent breakfast meeting, the Musculoskeletal Health Team, part of the East Sussex MSK service, explained how simple changes can make a real difference to our long‑term health and ability to work.
What is East Sussex MSK?
The East Sussex MSK service supports adults across the county with:
- Physiotherapy
- Pain management & chronic pain
- Rheumatology
- Pelvic health
- Podiatry
- Joint replacement pathways
You can often self-refer for physiotherapy without seeing your GP first, and many local practices now have first contact physiotherapists for MSK issues.
Why prevention matters
- Long periods in sedentary jobs (10+ years) double the risk of colon cancer and are linked to other serious conditions.
- Physical inactivity is now as dangerous as smoking in terms of early death risk.
- One in three employees never tells their employer about MSK problems, making early support harder.
The message was clear: small changes now can prevent big problems later for individuals, employers, and the NHS.
Simple ideas for healthier workdays
You don’t need a gym membership to start improving MSK health:
- Move little and often – even 30 seconds of leg waggling under the desk every 40 minutes helps circulation.
- Change position regularly – there’s no “perfect posture”; what matters is not staying in one position too long.
- Stand or walk for short meetings instead of always sitting.
- Build fun into movement – one team hides tiny plastic ducks around the office to encourage regular movement and screen breaks.
- Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity a week (like brisk walking, gardening, or housework), plus some strength and balance exercises, especially as we get older.
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of:
- Hip fractures by 68%
- Diabetes by 40%
- Heart disease by 35%
- Depression and dementia by 30%
What employers can do
For employers and team leaders, even in very small organisations, there’s a lot you can put in place:
- Check workstation setups and manual handling practices.
- Offer reasonable adjustments if someone reports pain or an MSK issue.
- Encourage open conversations about health, rather than waiting until someone is off sick.
- Consider team challenges – step counts, sit‑to‑stand tests, or grip strength – to keep everyone engaged and moving.
If you live or work in East Sussex and are struggling with joint, muscle, or bone pain, it’s worth checking what support is available locally – including self-referral to physiotherapy and community services that can help you stay active, healthy, and in work.
