Latest Survey Shows: Hong Kong Working Class Across Different Industries are at Risk of Joint ProblemsBack
Press Release on November 17, 2005 | |||
(Hong Kong, 17 November 2005) Followed by a joint care survey conducted in February this year, it has been revealed that nearly 80% of Hong Kong working class are at risk of joint problems. Seven Seas High Strength commissioned the Public Opinion Programme of the University of Hong Kong to carry out a follow-up research "Hong Kong Working Class's Joint Health Survey 2005", in order to investigate the correlation of joint problems among working class and its occupation. The survey reveals the respondents, from travel-related industries, retail/catering and office administration/clerical have suffered from serious joint problems. | |||
During the period of May and June, the research surveyed 517 working individuals in Hong Kong from various industries, including frontline service workers from travel and retail/catering industries, outdoor workers, medical professionals, office executives and manufacturing workers. This was to further understand the joint problems that exist among these working classes, in relation to their occupations and working habits. | |||
Dr. Robert Ting-Yiu Chung, Director of the Public Opinion Programme of the University of Hong Kong, revealed that among the respondents, 90% have frequently reported feeling pain, paralysis, inflexible, stiff, and even swelling for more than five times within the past 12 months. The joints that suffered most include shoulders and elbows (49%), lower back and middle back (46%), back of the neck (37%), and knees (35%). Though respondents from the travel industry only contributed to 1% of the overall sampling, the research revealed that respondents from frontline tourism are at higher risk of joint problems compared to other industry workers. A staggering 80% of frontline tourism staff has reported discomfort in the shoulders, elbow and back of the neck while pain and inflexibility in fingers and wrists, lower back and middle back; knee pains were also commonly found (60%). Following this high risk group, 51% who are working in retail/catering (51%) and 54% office executives/clerical workers suffered mostly from joint pains of the shoulders and elbows. Over half of outdoor workers (53%) and medical professionals (57%) have experienced joint problems of the lower back and middle back. | |||
The study also showed that 58% of the working class regularly repeat the same movement and gesture in their working environment everyday; 51% know that their sitting posture is incorrect. During the working hours, nearly 48% of the respondents do not take regular short breaks and 47% are required to keep the same posture for a long period of time. | |||
Dr. Henry Ho, Orthopedic Specialist commented, "The survey result matches perfectly with our clinical cases. It indicates that the working conditions and habits of Hong Kong's working class are resulting in joint problems. Hong Kong's working classes are busy at work, encounter high pressure and repeat the same movements in their working environment. Incorrect postures such as sitting cross-legged and repeatedly bending knees are also factors that contribute to joint problems. Joints are very important to a healthy life. Without healthy joints, lifestyles will be greatly affected. As a result, Hong Kong people have to look into these problems, know where the problems came from and to prevent them. " | |||
Nearly half of the respondents in the working class (45%) are aware that taking health supplements help maintain joint health or relieve joint pain. 55% pointed out that joint problems or limited movement have a direct or indirect impact on the work efficiency and performance. 36% felt that joint health affects their family / social life. This is strong evidence that joint health is of utmost importance to a holistic healthy life. | |||
A groundbreaking clinical study led by Professor Bruce Caterson and Professor John Harwood of Cardiff University, and Professor Colin Dent (Orthopaedic Consultant), University of Wales College of Medicine, revealed that extra high-strength cod liver oil - Triomega is effective in slowing the degeneration of joint cartilage in patients with arthritis. For the first time ever, the clinical study provides unique human evidence on the effectiveness of extra high-strength cod liver oil - Triomega in the management of osteoarthritis. | |||
The trial shows that 86% of pre-operative patients with arthritis, who took Triomega - extra high strength cod liver oil capsules daily, had absent or significantly reduced levels of enzymes that cause cartilage degeneration, compared with the 26% of those given a placebo oil capsule. In addition, there was also a reduction in some of the enzymes that cause joint pain, in those patients taking Triomega - extra high strength cod liver oil. The result further supports the effectiveness of Triomega on joint health. | |||
There are different types of joints in a human body, including knees, shoulders, lumbar vertebra, wrist, and more; joints are integral to human movement. Arthritis may be caused by cartilage degeneration because of age, work and repeated damages. Arthritis is a chronic disease that causes pain, swelling and limited movement in joints and connective tissues throughout the body. | |||
* Symptoms of joint pain, paralysis, limb weakness, feeling powerless, limited movement, stiffness, inflammation and swelling. | |||
- End - | |||
About Seven Seas | |||
Seven Seas strives to develop mutually profitable business in sustained partnership with customers, through quality brands which satisfy family needs to maintain good health. | |||
For more information, please contact Weber Shandwick | |||
