Assessing musculoskeletal injury risk and skeletal changes from backstrap loom weaving and traditional embroidery in Chiapas, Mexico

Few medical studies are led in places where social security services are almost inexistent, leaving a gap in knowledge about occupational health risks tied to traditional crafts. This study investigates how traditional textile work-specifically embroidery and backstrap loom weaving work-affects the body in the Highlands of Chiapas, where these crafts represent a substantial part of thousands of women daily activity. Using multi-angle video recordings and interviews with adult women skilled in these crafts, the study evaluates musculoskeletal injury risk through biomechanical analysis. It examines movement types, repetition, involved body parts and muscles, and static postures. Tools such as the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Standardized Nordic questionnaires, and evaluation of skeletal changes support this assessment. Findings show frequent, repetitive motions in the upper limbs and fingers, often approaching joint mobility limits (e.g., elbows flexed 60-100°, wrists >15°). These are combined with static, physically demanding postures-spine, neck, and legs are under constant strain due to ground-level sitting positions with the hips flexed at 90°, neck >20°, and knees deeply flexed in some cases (cross-legged or kneeling). Potential musculoskeletal injuries include tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis, bursitis, spinal disc herniation, and spondylolysis. Skeletal changes would mainly affect the hands, wrists, elbows, and spine, with asymmetry in embroidery and more symmetry in backstrap weaving. These may appear as localized entheseal changes and osteoarthritis. The study demonstrates the need of setting out preventive actions to reduce the injuries risk implied by traditional embroidery and backstrap loom weaving crafts. In order to assess actual musculoskeletal changes linked to those activities, a project is underway to examine bone markers specific to textile craftsmanship in ancient peoples of the same Maya area found buried with textile-making tools.