Cost of Living Forces Australian Women to Work Through Pain
Australian women are more likely than men to experience work-related muscle and joint pain, delay medical treatment and continue working despite injuries, according to a new national survey released for WorkSpace Week 2026.
The survey, commissioned by the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) and conducted by independent research firm Pureprofile, included 1,056 participants. Its findings show that the gap between women and men experiencing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) has widened since 2023.
Among people who have worked at some point in their lives, 79% of women reported work-related pain or injury, up from 76% in 2023. The figure for men fell from 77% to 73%. Among current workers, 87% of women reported such problems, compared with 80% of men.
The findings also highlight how early these problems can begin. Among working women aged 18 to 24, 92% reported work-related pain or injury. The rate was 85% among women aged 25 to 30. Women working part-time were also affected, with 91% reporting pain, the same rate as women working full-time.
Financial pressure delays treatment
Financial concerns are preventing many workers from taking time off to recover.
Dr Ali Young, chair of the ACA’s Women in Chiropractic group, said 54% of working women experiencing pain had been unable to take time off to recover because of the cost of living. This compared with 36% of men.
Job security was another concern, with 46% of women saying it had stopped them from taking time off, compared with 34% of men.
The survey also found that 43% of women had never disclosed their work-related pain to their employer, compared with 37% of men.
More than half of working women experiencing pain said they were too busy to take movement breaks. Some also worried that taking breaks would make them appear less productive.
Women more likely to leave pain untreated
Women reported higher rates of work-related headaches and migraines, as well as neck and shoulder pain.
The survey found that 66% of women had experienced work-related headaches or migraines, compared with 55% of men. Neck and shoulder pain affected 66% of women and 57% of men.
Untreated pain was also more common among women. Nearly half had left back pain untreated, while 49% had not treated neck or shoulder pain and 55% had not treated headaches or migraines.
Women were more likely to rely on over-the-counter pain medication. About 34% said they used these medicines to manage work-related pain, compared with 22% of men.
Only 49% of women with work-related pain said they had visited a general practitioner, compared with 58% of men. The survey also found that 71% of women had at least one condition that had not been diagnosed or treated, compared with 57% of men.
Dr Young warned that managing pain without professional assessment could allow treatable injuries to develop into long-term conditions.
Workplace injuries remain a major concern
The findings come as Safe Work Australia released its Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2026 report.
Musculoskeletal injuries and diseases accounted for 53% of serious workers’ compensation claims. In 2024–25, women represented 42.5% of Australia's 147,200 serious claims, or approximately 62,100 cases.
Women also took longer to recover from serious workplace injuries. Safe Work Australia data for 2023–24 showed a median of nine weeks away from work for women, compared with eight weeks for men.
The health care and social assistance sector recorded the largest share of serious claims, accounting for 20.9% of the total.
Pain affects mental health and productivity
The impact extends beyond physical discomfort. Women were more likely than men to say their pain frequently contributed to frustration, anxiety and low mood.
The survey found that 29% of women experiencing work-related pain reported frustration or irritability, compared with 20% of men. Anxiety was reported by 25% of women and 18% of men, while 21% of women reported depression or feeling low, compared with 14% of men.
Poor workstation design, repetitive movements, heavy lifting, prolonged sitting and incorrect technology use can all contribute to musculoskeletal problems.
The survey found that 44% of women who used smartphones at work did so with their heads bent forward, compared with 31% of men. This posture can contribute to neck strain and other problems associated with prolonged screen use.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data also shows that 30.8% of women live with a chronic musculoskeletal condition, compared with 26.8% of men. Musculoskeletal disorders cost Australia's health system $17.5 billion in 2024–25, an increase of $1.2 billion in one year.
Early action can reduce risks
The Australian Chiropractors Association is urging employers and workers to focus on prevention and early treatment during WorkSpace Week, running from 19 to 25 October 2026.
Recommended measures include setting up ergonomic workstations, taking regular movement breaks, improving posture, stretching, strengthening muscles and using correct manual-handling techniques.
Employers are also encouraged to review workloads, improve workplace safety measures and create an environment where workers feel comfortable reporting pain and taking time off to recover.
Dr Young said simple workplace changes and early medical attention could help prevent manageable injuries from becoming chronic conditions.
The campaign calls on Australian workplaces to make injury prevention, early diagnosis and recovery a priority, particularly for women who may be delaying treatment because of financial pressure or concerns about job security.
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Source : Press Released.
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