I work in a manufacturing plant with hundreds of other employees. We just went through a major reorganization and restructuring. No one lost their job but many people were switched around. I notice there's been a lot of people out with back pain the last two weeks. Can switching jobs really cause back pain? The work isn't that physically demanding.
It is well known that lifting or handling high physical loads does put a worker at increased risk of low back pain (LBP). But other activities such as rapid body movement or changing body position frequently (especially if it involves twisting or turning) can increase the risk of back injury or back pain.
It's also been shown that low control over work situations is linked with LBP. Reorganization and restructuring can cause a significant amount of work-related stress. Men are more susceptible to LBP when others make decisions that affect them. Women are more stressed by job insecurity. Back pain is linked with both of these factors.
You may be seeing the results of the change in physical as well as psychological stressors. Older workers with less education are more likely to drop out under these kinds of conditions. Drop out refers to quitting, retiring, or developing LBP or other health issues.
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