Dr. Ayers sits down with Tim Pottoroff (“Ergo Tim”) to discuss the dangerous intersection between musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and opioid use in the workplace. The episode highlights how untreated or poorly managed MSDs often lead workers into opioid prescriptions — and how that pathway can escalate into addiction, disability, or even death.

This is framed as both a safety issue and a public health crisis.

🧠 Key Themes 1. MSDs Are a Leading Driver of Workplace Pain

Strains, sprains, repetitive motion injuries, and poor ergonomics are among the most common workplace injuries.
When early intervention is missing, pain becomes chronic — and workers seek relief wherever they can.

2. Opioids Often Enter the Picture Too Easily

Many opioid addictions begin with a legitimate prescription for workplace‑related pain.
Over 100,000 overdose deaths occur annually in the U.S., and a significant portion trace back to pain that started on the job.

3. Prevention Through Design (PtD)

Tim emphasizes Prevention through Design as a core strategy:

Engineer out ergonomic hazards
Reduce force, repetition, and awkward postures
Design tasks, tools, and workstations to fit the worker
Address MSD risks before injuries occur

4. Early Intervention Is Critical

The episode stresses:

Rapid reporting
Immediate ergonomic assessment
Stretching, micro‑breaks, and job rotation
Coaching workers on body mechanics
Avoiding the “tough it out” culture that leads to chronic pain

🚀 Leadership Takeaways

MSDs aren’t just injuries — they’re a gateway to opioid risk.
Fix the work, not the worker. Engineering controls beat Band‑Aid solutions.
Early intervention saves careers, lives, and families.

Episode 235 - Tim Pottoroff-MSDs and Opioids - A Threat to Limb and Life