Arthr is working with TV personality and former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Joanne Clifton, who was herself diagnosed with arthritis, to raise awareness of the condition
Having spent months working from home, the effects on our physical health caused by our makeshift home offices and poor remote working conditions are now becoming increasingly apparent. Arthr, a social venture powered by the charity Versus Arthritis, is urging people to take action to safeguard their musculoskeletal health as many continue to work from home. Research from the charity found that the lockdown, which required workers to work from home, caused four in five (81%) of desk workers who switched to remote working in lockdown to experience back, neck or shoulder pain[i].
As we start to emerge from the Covid crisis, it is becoming clear that remote working is here to stay for the foreseeable as many employers adopt a hybrid approach to work. With this, a growing phenomenon termed ‘the Home Office Hunch’ is expected to continue to impact many Brits this year.
To raise awareness of this issue, Arthr has teamed up with TV personality and former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Joanne Clifton, who was diagnosed with the most common type of arthritis in the UK, osteoarthritis. Joanne is passionate about educating the nation that both young and old people can be at risk of developing musculoskeletal health problems.
Joanne commented: ‘My condition can be painful if I spend too much time sitting at home. Lockdown made life tough for me as I was forced to spend time idle and undistracted. It’s important for me to find ways to keep on working, moving and doing what I love without letting my condition rule my life.
With many of us continuing to spend more time at home, even with restrictions lifted, we can find ourselves sitting for prolonged periods. It’s therefore necessary that we remember to move our bodies often to support our musculoskeletal health. Furthermore, people that do find themselves experiencing joint pain at home should look for solutions to make their everyday tasks easier on their joints.
For me, I love to swim and also take time to rest and unwind with a knee pillow on the sofa after a busy day. Arthr products are great for supporting musculoskeletal health while at home, so I’d advise that people find products that work for them if they are having trouble.’
A study conducted by the Royal Society of Public Health on the impact of homeworking on the public’s health during lockdown found that half (48%) of workers who worked remotely from a bedroom or sofa said that they had developed musculoskeletal problems since working from home. To protect against this risk of developing MSK problems, making the time for physical activity and finding access to suitable solutions to complete everyday tasks is necessary when spending prolonged periods in the home.
Arthr is dedicated to creating products that not only ease everyday living for people with arthritis and other MSK conditions, but also add greater independence, dignity and freedom back into their lives. It is Arthr’s emphasis on aesthetically pleasing design that sets them apart.
Making positive lifestyle changes can result in a significant impact on people’s overall musculoskeletal health. For this reason, Arthr is calling on workers, particularly those with existing MSK conditions, to take care of their MSK health when working remotely with beautifully designed products and solutions that they are happy to have in their homes.
Bobby Watkins, Managing Director at Arthr comments: ‘Whilst the emergence of the pandemic meant that people were forced to spend more time at home, we were not at the time aware that working from home would be here to stay. It is therefore important that people make positive lifestyle changes to protect their MSK health when continuing to spend more time at home. This includes participating in regular physical activity and finding functional solutions that they are happy to use in their homes.
As a social venture we are determined to end the stigma associated with MSK conditions by designing and creating stylish, functional products to help prevent pain and enable people with arthritis or similar conditions to live life to the full. People shouldn’t have to suffer and should find solutions to ensure that they can be happy and productive in their home if they are worried about their MSK health.’
Wanda Rich has been the Editor-in-Chief of Global Banking & Finance Review since 2011, playing a pivotal role in shaping the publication’s content and direction. Under her leadership, the magazine has expanded its global reach and established itself as a trusted source of information and analysis across various financial sectors. She is known for conducting exclusive interviews with industry leaders and oversees the Global Banking & Finance Awards, which recognize innovation and leadership in finance. In addition to Global Banking & Finance Review, Wanda also serves as editor for numerous other platforms, including Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.