OBJECTIVE: Massage therapy involves pervasive ergonomic hazards with the majority of massage therapists (MTs) experiencing adverse musculoskeletal health issues. A variety of barriers and facilitators exist that can impact the efficacy of safety programs.
METHODS: A longitudinal study to characterize individual and organizational barriers and facilitators that influence the implementation of self-care techniques designed to reduce musculoskeletal health issues.
RESULTS: MTs who reported time as a barrier implemented 0.9 fewer selfcare items despite wanting to make these changes (P = 0.003) and 1.4 fewer self-care items when management was identified as a barrier (P < 0.001). Almost 20% of the MTs reported switching jobs which was associated with implementing 1.1 fewer self-care items (P = 0.002).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that organizational factors plays a critical role in workplace safety which can be used to improve working conditions faced by MTs.