New study suggests near epidemic of back pain among coffee shop workers

[LuckyTheDog]

In the pantheon of hazardous occupations, the trendy modern coffee shop would not seem, at first blush, to rank high on the danger scale.

A new Canadian study, however, suggests there is a near-epidemic of lower-back and other pain among baristas who dole out lattes, Americanos and cappuccinos, with an unlikely culprit for the workplace injuries.

Researchers at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., found that more than a third of the baristas they questioned reported back pain caused by the job.

And the spinal and shoulder aches appear linked to the workers' repetitive tamping of ground espresso to ensure a thick, rich brew, concluded the study just published in the journal Ergonomics.

MORE HERE: http://wonkynewsnerd.com/back-pain-coffee-shop-workers/

[Xyzse]

1. That is one gorgeous cup of brew.

I mean, yeah, completely agree with the article.
Sorry, was distracted by the picture.

[Arcanetrance]

2. Back pain is an epidemic throughout the entire food service industry

[redqueen]

6. We need shorted work days and shorter work weeks.

The benefits of automation have been allowed to accrue to the top. They should be shared so that workers can work less time for a livable wage.

[postulater]

3. I'll have a coca-mocha-loca-frappucino-latte-grande. Oh, and an oxycontin sprinkled on top.

[tavernier]

4. I was the medication nurse

in a hospital for years (when meds were given room to room). I started at one end of a LONG hallway (I still picture it in my dreams as I was always fighting the clock). The water pitcher was huge and I picked it up and poured at least a hundred cups a day. The pain in my arm increased and eventually became excruciating. So one day I asked our senior floor physician (he was very OLD and very wise compared to my 26 years) what could possibly be wrong. "Tennis elbow" he answered. I told him that I had never played tennis in my life. He stepped over to my med cart and lifted the water jug, then looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

Duh. He made his point, and I transferred to home health nursing. Within a month my arm was good as new.

Lesson learned = Any repetitive movement of muscle that includes weight bearing exacts a price.

[beveeheart]

5. Just spoke to my barista grandson

about this article. He demonstrated for me the upper body movements involved in making that one cup of coffee in the photo, repeated over and over throughout a shift. He's the manager of a coffee shop and he said ALL his employees (who are in their 20's) suffer back/shoulder/neck pain.

[closeupready]

7. Years ago, I worked in a 4 star French restaurant - the days

were LONG - like 12 hours. On your feet the whole time. Except maybe 1 hour. My weekend was Thursday night ... and Sunday night. ! I'd get off about 1:00 a.m., go to a nightclub for a wine to chill, and long story short, if I'd had to do that as a career, yeah I can see having back pain.

It's funny to watch these shows like Gordon Ramsay's and the contestants all talk a good talk about how they want to be in the restaurant industry, but they are so young, they don't realize how hard and physically demanding that work is.

[Arcanetrance]

8. Been in the industry for over a decade it can be hell but some of us enjoy it

But I definitely agree with you a lot of the young kids coming out of Culinary school and such really have no idea what they're committing to

[closeupready]

9. +1 - it's not that it wasn't enjoyable - they just don't pay.

(In addition to the aforementioned physical demands.) Or at least the restaurant group of which this one was a part. From what I recall from my time in Europe where young boys apprentice for many years learning all about food preparation and restaurants/patisserie ("stage&quot , they also don't make much money. Labor of love, mostly - it's a subsidized industry and it's very lucrative for a shrewd person, but that model isn't how it works stateside.

Cheers.