Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Discomfort and Its Association With Gender Among Clinical Physiotherapists of Lahore

Background: Musculoskeletal pain and discomfort are common occupational health concerns among clinical physiotherapists because their work involves prolonged standing, repetitive movements, manual therapy, patient handling, and sustained non-neutral postures. Objective: To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort among clinical physiotherapists in Lahore and assess its association with gender. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 140 clinical physiotherapists from hospitals and certified physiotherapy clinics in Lahore. Participants included 70 females and 70 males with at least two years of clinical experience and a minimum of six working hours per day. Musculoskeletal pain and discomfort were assessed across nine anatomical regions using the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, while pain severity was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Frequencies and percentages were calculated, and gender-wise associations were assessed using chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Lower back pain was the most prevalent complaint, affecting 55 participants (39.3%), followed by neck pain in 52 participants (37.1%). Female physiotherapists reported significantly higher neck pain than males (51.4% vs 22.9%; OR = 3.57, 95% CI: 1.72–7.41; p = 0.001) and lower back pain (51.4% vs 27.1%; OR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.40–5.75; p = 0.005). Moderate-to-severe pain was also more frequent among females (71.4% vs 48.6%; OR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.32–5.33; p = 0.009). Conclusion: Musculoskeletal pain and discomfort were common among clinical physiotherapists in Lahore, particularly in the lower back and neck regions. Female physiotherapists showed a higher burden of neck pain, lower back pain, and moderate-to-severe pain, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive ergonomic and preventive workplace strategies.