Prevalence of Forward Head Posture, Neck Pain and Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Carpenters in Peshawar

Background: Forward head posture, neck pain, and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders are common occupational health problems that frequently affect individuals engaged in physically demanding work. Carpenters, in particular, are at greater risk due to their repetitive activities, awkward body positions, and extended working hours. Objective: To determine the prevalence of forward head posture, neck pain, and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among carpenters in Peshawar. Methodology: This cross-sectional study employed convenience sampling to recruit participants from carpentry workshops, targeting a sample of 377 male carpenters aged 18 to 65 years with at least one year of experience, while excluding carpenters with a history of cervical spine trauma, surgery, deformities, neurological or systemic conditions. Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Committee of City University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar. Data collection tools included photogrammetry for craniovertebral angle measurement, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale for neck pain intensity, and the Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire for musculoskeletal complaints in the neck, shoulder, elbow, and wrist/hand. Descriptive statistics summarising demographics (mean and standard deviation for continuous variables, frequencies and percentages for categorical variables). The chi-square test was used to assess the association between forward head posture and pain. Results: The findings revealed that 80.9% of participants demonstrated forward head posture, defined as a craniovertebral angle less than 48°, reflecting a notable postural deviation within this group. Neck pain was reported by 43.5% of carpenters, while the prevalence of shoulder, elbow, and wrist/hand pain was 48%, 45.4%, and 48.3%, respectively. Statistical testing revealed a significant relationship between neck pain and shoulder pain (p < 0.00). In contrast, no statistically significant association was found between posture and neck pain (p = 0.54). Conclusion: Forward head posture, neck pain, and upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders are highly prevalent among carpenters in Peshawar. Although forward head posture is not linked to neck pain, the strong association between neck and shoulder pain reflects the interconnected nature of musculoskeletal problems.