The hazards of acting

More than three-quarters of actors in the UK have suffered some discomfort or injury during their career according to research by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

The CSP surveyed 100 actors chosen at random from acting union Equity's membership. Problems included back, neck and shoulder pain, joint pulls and sprains, bruising, torn ligaments, tendon injuries and skin abrasions. Four out of five blamed work in the theatre and 14% of respondents believed safety measures backstage presented a real hazard to their health, often as a result of tight budgets.