n line with its ongoing commitment to raising awareness of good health and wellbeing in the industry, Perennial the charity for people in horticulture, has referred 70 people for physiotherapy since launching its free service last year.
The service, delivered in partnership with Connect Health, aims to prevent peoples’ short-term treatable injuries from developing into long-term life-debilitating issues that may have a detrimental impact on their overall wellbeing.
Of the 70 referrals, 49% were for back/shoulder/neck pain, 33% for knee/hip/leg pain and 18% for arms/wrist/elbow pain. Almost 70% of users were over 35 years old, highlighting that while the chance of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) increases with age, younger people are still at risk.
1 in 4 people experience MSDs such as a sprain, strain or tear, back pain, arthritis, or tendonitis*.
While Perennial estimates 75,000 people in horticulture have or will experience this, the charity stresses that MSDs are not inevitable and can be prevented. Identifying and treating the signs and symptoms early can help to resolve a disorder and reduce its impact.
Perennial’s Health & Wellbeing Survey 2021 reported back and joint pain to be the biggest issue surrounding the health of people in horticulture with 78% of people experiencing aches and pains in the 6 weeks prior to completing the survey.
Julia Hayne says: “MSDs in our industry don’t have to be the norm. If people get help early enough, they can improve their physical wellbeing and avoid their condition getting worse and negatively impacting their future. So often we hear about a niggly pain that’s become unmanageable leaving people no longer fit for the job and ultimately unable to cover the bills. Treatment sooner rather than later really works as a preventative measure.”
Anyone in the horti and floricultural sector experiencing symptoms of MSDs such as recurrent pain, swelling, stiff joints and dull aches in for example their neck, shoulder, knees, back or feet can visit perennial.org.uk/physio for more information or call the Perennial helpline on 0800 093 8543 for a referral.
Learn more ... get involved
About Perennial
Plants are great listeners, but sometimes people need more than that. That’s where Perennial come in as the charity helping people in horticulture and these days increasingly floristry too.
Because whilst they know the wellbeing benefits that come with working with flowers and plants they also know life's not all a bed of roses. We all need tending to from time to time and there are lots of ways that Perennial can help.
Because they can provide free help and support and have a network of caseworkers and debt advisers across the UK. So whether it's for personal, health related reasons, following an accident, support for your family, or general money matters they are always at the end of the phone at 0800 093 8543 or online at www.perennial.org.uk.
Our Editor, Caroline Marshall-Foster with Chairman of the Perennial Trustees Paul Rochford.
Become a Patron
The Florist Trade Magazine, which actually started life way back in 1949 as Florist & Landscape Gardner when the two sectors were so interconnected, has been a Patron of Perennial for several years and would encourage any company who thinks they can help to consider joining as well. It needn't cost a fortune but it can help make a HUGE difference to many. To find out how click here
* State of Musculoskeletal Health 2021, Versus Arthritis
** Perennial Health & Wellbeing Survey 2021 was carried out between May and July 2021 and surveyed over 900 people in the horticulture industry.
*** Referrals to the free physiotherapy service are subject to qualifying criteria.
