Table 5

Coping strategies used by physiotherapists with WRMDs.

Strategies

Percentages

Almost always

Sometimes

Almost Never

No Response

Number

(%)

Number

(%)

Number

(%)

Number

(%)

I modify patient's position/my position

74/115

(64.3)

31/115

(27.0)

3/115

(2.6)

7/115

(6.1)

I select techniques that will not aggravate or provoke my discomfort

54/115

(47.0)

38/115

(33.0)

15/115

(3.0)

8/115

(7.0)

I adjust plinth/bed height before treating a patient

45/115

(39.1)

35/115

(30.4)

27/115

(23.5)

8/115

(7.0)

I pause regularly so I can stretch and change posture

43/115

(37.4)

44/115

(38.3)

22/115

(19.1)

6/115

(5.2)

I get someone else to help me handle a heavy patient

38/115

(33.1)

50/115

(43.5)

22/115

(19.1)

5/115

(4.3)

I stop treatment if it causes or aggravate my discomfort

28/115

(24.3)

50/115

(43.5)

29/115

(25.2)

8/115

(7.0)

I use different part of my body to administer a manual technique

19/115

(16.5)

39/115

(33.9)

49/115

(42.6)

8/115

(7.0)

I use electrotherapy instead of manual techniques to avoid stressing an injury

11/115

(9.6)

45/115

(39.1)

51/115

(44.3)

8/115

(7.0)

I warm up and stretch before performing a manual technique

6/115

(5.2)

27/115

(23.5)

75/115

(65.2)

7/115

(6.1)

Adegoke et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2008 9:112   doi:10.1186/1471-2474-9-112