Pain disorders among professional drivers in the aspect of the conducted research and rehabilitation

Drivers are susceptible to pain syndromes. Pain is a subjective feeling, an unpleasant experience related to the damage of tissue essential for correct functioning of the body. A sharp pain serves as both a warning and protective sign. The lack of feeling pain can lead to the disappearance of defensive reflexes, abandonment of treatment, and later to death. Chronic pain is caused by damage or a long lasting illness without a particular location from which it stems from. After knowing its cause, one can attempt prevention of its emergence or the elimination of it. Drivers are a major occupation group, which, due to the activities carried out and working conditions, is particularly vulnerable to pain disorders affecting the locomotor system, caused by the “wear and tear” of the elements of the spine. These may lead to morphological damage and disorders within the musculature and nervous system. Research was conducted in Zielona Gora examining the locomotor system disorders among professional drivers in order to develop a medical and rehabilitation programme.