In 2023, firefighters in Seoul responded to over two million emergency calls, exposing them to substantial physical and psychological strain. This working environment increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and occupational stress. To address these issues, the Seoul Metropolitan Fire 66.8% had a history of herniated disc or rotator cuff syndrome. Manual therapies—primarily myofascial release, joint mobilization, and muscle energy techniques—were applied in 94.8% of visits. No serious adverse events were reported. Among 148 survey respondents (39.4%), self-reported NRS pain scores were lower after the program in most cases (82.4%). Firefighters with longer tenure reported a lower proportion of pain improvement but higher satisfaction scores than those with shorter tenure. Most respondents (97.3%) recommended the service, with on-site accessibility as the key advantage. Station-based manual therapy appeared feasible and well accepted, with participants reporting pain reduction and high satisfaction. Their working tenure influenced utilization and perceived benefit. In 2025, SMFDH extended the program to a nine-month schedule across fifteen stations. Controlled studies with objective functional outcomes and long-term follow-up are warranted to confirm its occupational health benefits.
Park et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: