Natural pain remedies could reduce presenteeism
07/27/2005
Millions of office workers in the US suffer from painful conditions such as repetitive stress injuries, headaches and backaches that lower their production capabilities. This can cost employers more than they pay for sick days and other medical and disability benefits.
Studies show that work slowdowns caused by illness on the job, known as "presenteeism," (in other words, being present at work, being paid, but not producing) may account for up to 60% or more of employer health costs. These studies showed that for some common conditions, such as allergies and headaches, on-the-job productivity losses may account for more than 80% of the employer's total health care costs.
The sequence of events runs as follows. A data entry clerk sits at his/her computer all day and puts the body in an awkward position for long periods. The back muscles begin to cramp up and a headache starts to throb. The quest for pain relief is a priority and a quick visit to the First Aid kit produces the strongest analgesic available.
Although the pain reliever blocks off the pain, it also dulls the senses. The persons' awareness level is lowered, a typo or two might get missed, the supervisor says a few very unkind or even threatening words, and the person reacts by saying "I don’t feel well" and home is the only answer or worse, they stay on the job, but don’t produce at all.
"This may be the most pessimistic scenario, but this kind of situation could be avoided if a less intrusive solution were used" said Judy Cutler the developer of Naturally Painless, a pain relieving spray made from natural ingredients, and based on similar principles to acupuncture." A natural pain remedy like this avoids the side effects that analgesics can cause ranging from lowered awareness to kidney damage if used for prolonged periods. Anyone who has a sedentary career should have a natural pain relief agent in his/her desk drawer."