The CTExerciser is every company's solution to saving massive amounts of money. While you are saving money, you will be preventing further Cumulative Trauma Disorders in your workplace by putting a CTExerciser in each employee's hand! In addition, the individuals who already suffer from CTS, and other Cumulative Trauma Disorders may completely resolve their disorders and regain full function. Those who are most likely to suffer from such, are unfortunately your most productive employees. This is why you need to prevent and rehabilitate with the CTExerciser! The CTExerciser treats the causes, not the symptoms!

What are the costs of Musculoskeletal Disorders to Industry?

According to OSHA figures, musculoskeletal disorders cost the nation up to $50 billion dollars a year, including both direct and indirect costs. Washington State's Department of Labor and Industries reported that some 50,000 workers in the state of Washington suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders annually, costing the state more than $411 million in medical treatment and partial wage replacement payments. This amount only accounts for the direct costs of Repetitive Stress Injuries. The indirect costs of musculoskeletal disorders are much more difficult to quantify. However, OSHA estimates that the cost to employers was $15 to $20 billion dollars in workers compensation costs and $45 to $60 billion dollars in indirect costs for 1995.

Direct Costs
These disorders account for one-third of what employers pay for workers' compensation. In 2002, the incidence of Repetitive Stress Injuries rose 6.7%, accounting for $2.7 billion dollars in direct costs. In 2001, Repetitive Stress Injuries accounted for $2.3 billion dollars of industry payments to medical providers and insurance premiums. Direct Costs include:

	Insurance Premiums
	Payments to Medical Providers
	Workers Compensation

Indirect Costs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 582,300 musculoskeletal injuries that resulted in employees missing time from work in 1999. Now this number has increase to over 1.8 million injured.

	Lost Productivity
	Lost Work Time
	Hiring/Training New Employees
	Possible Loss of Customers/Clients due to delays or dissatisfaction with Customer Service
	Possible loss of company's investment in employee if they are ultimately unable to return to their job

What are some industries and occupations that are at risk for Cumulative Trauma Dysfunction?

Almost any task that requires the use of tools can eventually cause Cumulative Trauma Dysfunction if you do not take the proper precautions. The definition of "tools," in this case is not limited to hammers and screwdrivers, but includes, among others, paintbrushes, musical instruments, keyboards, sewing machines, switchboards, scalpels, packaging-tape dispensers, hairdryers, cash registers, and most importantly, your hands. People who have jobs that require daily, repetitive use of tools and/or their hands are at risk for Cumulative Trauma Dysfunction because repetitive tasks accumulate tension in the fascia tissue. The CTExerciser and dowel are the tools you can use to prevent this disorder.

	Parts Assemblers		Data Entry Specialists		Movers
	Hairdressers		Pilots		Flight Attendants
	Jewelers		Flight Dispatchers		Construction Workers
	Tailors		Reservationists		Surgeons
	Seamstresses		Air Traffic Controllers		Dental Hygienists
	Musicians		Customer Service Reps		Chefs
	Telephone Operators		Textile Weavers		Meat packers
	Cashiers		Press Operators		Nursing Home/Assisted Living Employees
	Postal Workers		Truck Drivers		Carpenters
	Shipping		Accountants

* Any occupation that requires the use of a keyboard


Who is most likely to suffer from Cumulative Trauma Dysfunction in the workplace?

Cumulative Trauma Dysfunction is sometimes referred to as the "good-worker syndrome," because often times the most productive and efficient employee is most susceptible. Those who have good work ethics and take pride in their work tend to ignore stress, because they derive their self-esteem from their work and do not want to disappoint their employers. Unfortunately, their continuous effort and diligence can ultimately prevent even the most loyal employees from being productive. Highly productive workers tend to take fewer breaks, therefore depriving their muscles relief from stress that result from on-the-job tasks. Efficient employees are likely to repeat the same function on-the-job thousands of times each day, causing overuse of particular muscles. Also, workers who are concerned about their job performance are likely to worry, an emotion interpreted by the body as a threat that leads to physical tension. Fewer breaks, repetitive motion in a static, sustained posture, and stress are all factors that can contribute to Cumulative Trauma Dysfunctions in the workplace. Using the CTExerciser for just a few minutes every couple of hours can alleviate the causes of Cumulative Trauma Dysfunction and keep employees working happy and pain-free.

How can investing in the CTExerciser save companies money?

The CTExerciser can prevent injuries before they occur!

DIRECT SAVINGS
Most companies report that long-term disability pay and skyrocketing insurance premiums are quickly becoming a significant part of the escalating costs of doing business in today's high-tech, computer driven marketplace. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and related disorders are a major contributing factor in this unfavorable business trend.

	With employee use of the CTExerciser, fewer injury claims will be made, and insurance premiums will eventually be reduced.
	Fewer injury claims means fewer payments to medical providers.

INDIRECT SAVINGS
With the use of the CTExerciser, employees will suffer fewer injuries and ultimately miss fewer days of work. This means that the company will not have to incur the costs of hiring and training a new employee to take the place of an injured employee. Furthermore, the company is ensuring the investment that it has made through employee training and education by preventing him or her from incurring injuries on the job, so a high quality of productivity is preserved. Finally, your customers and clients will be most satisfied by healthy and happy employees.



Can exercise really improve attitude and performance on the job?

While exercise is a simple solution to alleviate muscle tension that causes cumulative trauma disorders, it has many other benefits that will increase production levels in your company. Research shows that exercise boosts the immune system, resulting in fewer sick-days for employees. So taking just a few minutes of the day to use the CTExerciser will save the company hours that an employee might miss due to illness. Using the CTExerciser can increase blood flow to the brain and bring extra oxygen and sugar that boosts concentration and alertness. The faster blood flows through the brain, the more toxic materials and waste products that slow you down are removed. Furthermore, endorphin productions increase after exercise, which improves your mood and feelings of well-being. So it is true that a healthy worker is a happy worker. Integrating the CTExerciser into the workday will not only result in a measurable decrease of Repetitive Stress Injuries, but also a happier, healthier, and ultimately more productive workforce.

The bottom line is that a more productive work force means more profit for the company. Incorporating the CTExerciser into the workday is easy! A short exercise every couple hours is adequate time for employees to release the tension in their fascia tissue that might otherwise lead to debilitating repetitive stress injuries and cumulative trauma dysfunction. The CTExerciser is a hand held device that mobilizes the wrist to release tension that accumulates over time due to repetitive tasks and stress. This tool is portable and unobtrusive, so that it can even be folded and put into a suitcase for travel. The simple and fun exercises will naturally elicit interest and participation. Improving work performance does not require expensive or distant equipment. With the CTExerciser, a simple twist of the wrist makes an immeasurable difference in the health, attitude, and productivity of the workforce.

Why should companies invest in the CTExerciser?

Cumulative Trauma Dysfunction and Repetitive Stress Injuries have become so costly to industry that the federal government has now authorized new regulations to be issued by the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration. The Senate recently approved $2 million dollars for OSHA to standardize ergonomic regulations that require employers to protect their employees from work-related injuries, such as back strain, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries estimates that new OSHA rules would cost employers $80 million dollars to implement, but save $300 million dollars in worker's compensation costs. Furthermore, the Washington Supreme Court recently set precedence for the rest of the nation when it rejected a business coalition effort to kill the state ergonomic regulations. These regulations are necessary despite the financial incentive for employers to address worker safety. These regulations are necessary for the safety and health of our workforce. The companies that choose to adhere to these regulations will not only be more profitable in the long-run, but will also improve their company image. A compassionate company generates loyal employees and a reputation that will attract the most qualified job seekers, which ultimately promotes the stability of the company itself. However, compliance with OSHA guidelines and regulations does not have to be costly.

Many companies have already spent millions of dollars on inadequate treatments that yield unsatisfactory results. Now, it is not necessary to invest in expensive equipment to avoid the costs of Repetitive Stress Injuries; it is as simple as mobilizing the wrist and exercising the upper extremities with portable, hand-held devices - the CTExerciser and CTFlexer. These tools are simple, fun, inexpensive, and effective. With proper use, the CTExerciser and CTFlexer will protect your employees from repetitive stress injuries and protect your company from unnecessary expense.