Neck pain in office workers

Neck pain is one of the most commonly reported musculoskeletal disorders among office workers. Find out how we can reduce neck pain in office workers.

Defining neck pain

In Aotearoa New Zealand, an estimated 165 thousand people suffered from neck pain in 2017.  Each year there are approximately 38,000 new cases reported.

The most commonly reported musculoskeletal problem

Neck pain is the most commonly reported musculoskeletal problem reported in New Zealand and 51% of office workers report neck pain at least one day per year. The next most commonly reported problem is low back pain (45%).

As the majority of the New Zealand population works in an office environment, this has a large impact.

Neck pain symptoms

There are a range of symptoms associated with neck pain, the most common being pain and stiffness around the neck. Pain can also spread more widely to the shoulder, arm, hand, or head.

Other symptoms can include:

• tingling or numbness in the hand, arm, or fingers
• dizziness
• feeling sick.

Wider impacts on wellbeing and work

Neck pain also impacts on mental wellbeing and can cause stress and worry for sufferers.  It can make work more difficult and also impact on home life, and the ability to sleep or concentrate.

The impact of neck pain on the individual varies widely and depends on the symptoms. Where there is concern, medical advice should be sought.

From an employer’s perspective the monthly health-related productivity losses have been estimated in Australia at $AUD1400 per person.

Feedback

Give us your feedback on our knowledge base, or contact us with any questions about this information.

Prof Joanne Crawford

Professor of Health and Safety
School of Health

• joanne.crawford@vuw.ac.nz
• EA , Easterfield Building, Gate 3, Kelburn Parade

References

• Safiri, S., et al. (2020). “Global, regional, and national burden of neck pain in the general population, 1990-2017: systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.” British medical journal 368:m791.
• Misailidou, V., et al. (2010). “Assessment of patients with neck pain: a review of definitions, selection criteria, and measurement tools.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 9(2):49-59.
• Harcombe, H., et al. (2009). “Prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal disorders in New Zealand nurses, postal workers and office workers.” Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 33(5):437-441.
• Côté, P., et al. (2008). “The burden and determinants of neck pain in workers: results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders.” Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 33(4 Suppl):60-74.
• Pereira, M., et al. (2019). “The impact of workplace ergonomics and neck-specific exercise versus ergonomics and health promotion interventions on office worker productivity: A cluster-randomized trial.” Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health, 45(1), 42–52.
• Carroll, L.J., et al. (2008). “Course and prognostic factors for neck pain in the general population: results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders.” Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 33(4 Suppl):75-82.
• Borghouts, JAJ., et al. (1998). “The clinical course and prognostic factors of non-specific neck pain: a systematic review.” Pain, 77(1):1-13.
• Kazeminasab, S., et al. (2022). “Neck pain: global epidemiology, trends and risk factors.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23(1):26.
• Chen, X., et al. (2018). “Modifiable individual and work-related factors associated with neck pain in 740 office workers: a cross-sectional study.” Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 22(4):318-327.
• Jahre, H., et al. (2020). “Risk factors for non-specific neck pain in young adults. A systematic review.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 21(1):366.
• Keown, GA., et al. (2018). “Workplace Factors Associated With Neck Pain Experienced by Computer Users: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 41(6):508-529.
• Cagnie, B., et al. (2007). “Individual and work related risk factors for neck pain among office workers: a cross sectional study.” European Spine Journal, 16(5):679-686.
• Korhonen, T., (2003). “Work related and individual predictors for incident neck pain among office employees working with video display units.” Occupational and environmental medicine, 60(7):475-482.
• Jun, D., (2017). “Physical risk factors for developing non-specific neck pain in office workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 90(5):373-410.
• Yang, H., et al. (2016). “Workplace psychosocial and organizational factors for neck pain in workers in the United States.” American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 59(7):549-560.
• Kim, R., et al. (2018). “Identifying risk factors for first-episode neck pain: A systematic review.” Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 33:77-83.
• Pereira, M.J., et al. (2017). “An Investigation of Self-reported Health-related Productivity Loss in Office Workers and Associations With Individual and Work-related Factors Using an Employer's Perspective.” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 59(7):e138-e144.
• Hush, J.M., et al. (2009). “Individual, physical and psychological risk factors for neck pain in Australian office workers: a 1-year longitudinal study.” European Spine Journal, 18(10):1532-1540.
• Madeleine, P., et al. (2013). “Computer work and self-reported variables on anthropometrics, computer usage, work ability, productivity, pain, and physical activity.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 14(1):226.
• Ahmed, S.A., et al. (2019). “The effect of psychosocial measures of resilience and self-efficacy in patients with neck and lower back pain.” Spine Journal, 19(2):232-237.
• Xie, Y., et al. (2020). “Comparing Central Pain Processing in Individuals With Non-Traumatic Neck Pain and Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” The Journal of Pain, 21(11-12):1101-1124.
• Galliker, S., et al. (2021). “Women and men in leadership positions: health and work-related attitudes and their associations with work-related stressors, private stressors, and privacy-work conflict.” Zeitschrift für Arbeitswissenschaft, 75:29-45.
• Blanpied, P. R., et al. (2017). “Neck Pain: Revision 2017.” 47(7):A1-A83.
• Corp, N., et al. (2021). “Evidence-based treatment recommendations for neck and low back pain across Europe: A systematic review of guidelines.” European Journal of Pain, 25: 275-295.
• Svedmark, Å., et al. (2018). “Impact of Workplace Exposure and Stress on Neck Pain and Disabilities in Women-A Longitudinal Follow-up After a Rehabilitation Intervention.” Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 62(5):591-603.
• Aas, R.W., et al (2011). “Workplace interventions for neck pain in workers.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4:Cd008160.
• Van Eerd, D., et al (2016). “Effectiveness of workplace interventions in the prevention of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and symptoms: an update of the evidence.” Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 73(1):62-70.
• Lowe, B.D., et al (2014). “Workplace exercise for control of occupational neck/shoulder disorders: a review of prospective studies. Environmental Health Insights, 8(Suppl 1):75-95.
• Sihawong, R., et al. (2011). “Exercise therapy for office workers with nonspecific neck pain: a systematic review.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 34(1):62-71.
• Louw, S., et al. (2017). “Effectiveness of exercise in office workers with neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 73(1):392-392.
• Chen, X., et al. (2018). “Workplace-Based Interventions for Neck Pain in Office Workers: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Physical Therapy, 98(1):40-62.
• Sjøgaard, G., et al. (2016). “Exercise is more than medicine: The working age population's well-being and productivity.” Journal of Sport and Health Science, 5(2):159-165.
• Dalager, T., et al (2017). “Intelligent Physical Exercise Training in a Workplace Setting Improves Muscle Strength and Musculoskeletal Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” BioMed Research International, 2017:7914134.
• Andersen, L.L., et al. (2008). “Effect of two contrasting types of physical exercise on chronic neck muscle pain.” Arthritis & Rheumatology, 59(1):84-91.
• Andersen, C.H., et al. (2012). “Influence of frequency and duration of strength training for effective management of neck and shoulder pain: a randomised controlled trial.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(14):1004-1010.
• Sjögren, T., et al. (2005). “Effects of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the intensity of headache and neck and shoulder symptoms and upper extremity muscular strength of office workers: a cluster randomized controlled cross-over trial.” Pain, 116(1-2):119-128.
• Frutiger, M., et al. (2021). “Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Suggest Strength Training and Workplace Modifications May Reduce Neck Pain in Office Workers.” Pain Practice, 21(1):100-131.
• Nikander, R., et al. (2006). “Dose-response relationship of specific training to reduce chronic neck pain and disability.” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 38(12):2068-2074.
• Coury, G., et al. (2009). “Evaluation of the effectiveness of workplace exercise in controlling neck, shoulder and low back pain: A systematic review.” Brazilian Journal Of Physical Therapy, 13(6):461-479.
• Li, X., et al. (2017). “Comparison of the effectiveness of resistance training in women with chronic computer-related neck pain: a randomized controlled study.” International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 90(7):673-683.
• Andersen, L.L., et al. (2010). “Effect of physical exercise interventions on musculoskeletal pain in all body regions among office workers: a one-year randomized controlled trial.” Manual Therapy, 15(1):100-104.
• Dalager, T., et al. (2016). “Implementing intelligent physical exercise training at the workplace: health effects among office workers-a randomized controlled trial.” European Journal of Applied Physiology, 116(7):1433-1442.
• Shariat, A., et al. (2017). “The application of a feasible exercise training program in the office setting.” Work, 56(3):421-428.
• Tunwattanapong, P., et al. (2016). “The effectiveness of a neck and shoulder stretching exercise program among office workers with neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.” Clinical Rehabilitation, 30(1):64-72.
• Hoe, V.C., et al. (2018). “Ergonomic interventions for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb and neck among office workers.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10(10):Cd008570.
• Aegerter, A.M., et al. (2020). “On-site multi-component intervention to improve productivity and reduce the economic and personal burden of neck pain in Swiss office-workers (NEXpro): protocol for a cluster-randomized controlled trial.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 21(1):391.