Don’t play through the pain: Why Melbourne’s tradies need to prioritise their physical health this August

Every August, Australia marks Tradies National Health Month, an initiative established by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) to shine a light on the unique physical and mental health demands faced by trade professionals.

From carpenters and electricians to plumbers and site labourers, tradies keep Melbourne built and running. However, the relentless physical toll of manual labour often comes at a high personal cost.

Recent data paints a stark picture of the challenges facing Australia’s skilled workforce. According to the APA’s latest survey, 68 per cent of tradies report experiencing pain or discomfort in their back, neck, or shoulders. 

Even more concerning is the long-term outlook for younger workers: more than half of surveyed tradies, including nearly 40 per cent of Gen Z and over a third of millennials lack confidence that their bodies will allow them to work in their trade until retirement age. Repeated strain, heavy lifting, awkward postures, and everyday wear and tear are constantly taking a toll.

Despite the high prevalence of daily discomfort, preventative care remains vastly underutilised. Only 10 per cent of tradies regularly see a physiotherapist to proactively prevent work-related pain or injury. Many adopt a “she’ll be right” attitude, pushing through aches until a minor twinge turns into a debilitating condition that forces time off work.

Yet, taking action early makes a dramatic difference. Studies show that nearly two-thirds of tradies who consult a physiotherapist experience significant pain reduction or total eradication of their symptoms.

Moving beyond “She’ll be right”

At Docklands Health, the clinical team sees first-hand how early intervention can extend a tradie’s career and restore their quality of life outside of work.

Physiotherapy isn’t just about treating an acute injury after it happens – it’s about proactive maintenance. Key strategies that can keep tradies safe on site include:

• Preventative care and screening: Identifying muscle imbalances and joint restrictions before they lead to severe injuries.
• Ergonomic and lifting technique coaching: Fine-tuning daily movement patterns on site to reduce load on the spine, knees, and shoulders.
• Targeted strength and conditioning: Building the specific core, back, and shoulder strength required to handle heavy gear and repetitive overhead work.
• Footwear and equipment optimisation: Proper boot fitting and lacing techniques to protect ankles, knees, and hips from hard concrete surfaces.

Invest in your health, protect your career

In an era of high infrastructure demands and trade shortages, a tradie’s body is their primary asset. Caring for your physical health isn’t just about avoiding a sick day; it’s about making sure you can enjoy your weekends and stay strong for the long haul.

Whether you’re managing a nagging lower back ache or want to build resilience against future workplace injuries, the practitioners at Docklands Health are here to help you move better and work pain-free.

Prioritise your health this Tradies National Health Month. To book an assessment or learn more about injury prevention strategies tailored to your trade, visit docklandshealth.com.au or contact the team at Docklands Health today.

Finally, on a personal note, it has been an absolute pleasure to write for Docklands News and into the future, The Melburnian.

Having spent the past 16 years practicing in Docklands, the change and development of the suburb and community has been amazing.

Docklands News has been pivotal in keeping the community connected and informed from Shane and now to Sean. The community will be forever grateful for the newspaper and wish it every success. •