Seven out of 10 tradies consider themselves fit and try to eat healthily - challenging the pie eating, chocolate milk drinking stereotype - but a persistent blokey culture is leading to serious injury. The Australian Physiotherapy Association’s annual survey, released today to mark Tradies National Health Month, revealed some concerning attitudes amongst tradies and a disconnect between their attitudes to work and sport.   

Australia’s trade industry continues to have among the highest health and safety issues of any sector. Time off work due to poor health and injury has a significant impact on families, businesses and communities

If you work in a physically demanding job, your body is the tool you rely on to support yourself and your family. What happens when it stops working?

August is is Tradies National Health Month, which aims to raise awareness of the risks posed to those who work in trade occupations as well as educate tradies in the importance of health and safety in the workplace.

According to Dave Hall, Chair of the APA Occupational Health, building movement into your working day can be a big step towards increased health and productivity.

The festive season is over, and with the end of the holidays many Australians will be returning to sitting at a desk for extended periods of time, which research has shown to have a serious impact on well-being. The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is urging employees and employers alike to ensure their health - and the health of their staff - isn’t compromised in the post-Christmas return to the office.

Catherine Etty-Leal, APA musculoskeletal physiotherapist says “Some injuries that are common in people hitting the gym after a long period of inactivity are back pain, pulled muscles and tendinopathy – all of which can quickly put a stop to your New Year’s resolutions, no matter how good your intentions may be.”

The Australian Physiotherapy Association has called on the Government to protect the term ‘physio’, in the same way ‘Physiotherapist’ and ‘Physiotherapy’ are already protected, ensuring that  practitioners using these titles are qualified and registered.

According to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, the Australian gender pay gap has narrowed by 21.3 per cent but women are still earning an estimated $25,000 dollars less than men in a number of sectors such as in the health care and construction industry.

Top business minds, leading clinicians and strategic innovators will converge on Hobart’s waterfront this week as part of the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s (APA) NEXT conference, aimed at the profession’s business, education and practice leaders.