Gokseong-gun Agricultural Talent Development Center Shows Effectiveness in Providing Customized Guidance for Musculoskeletal Disorders

Over 38% of the Population Aged 65 and Older, Musculoskeletal Farmer's Disease

[Gokseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-sun] Jeonnam Gokseong-gun (Governor Lee Sang-cheol) announced that as the number of users of the Agricultural Rehabilitation Center steadily increases, it is greatly helping farmers in the treatment and alleviation of musculoskeletal disorders.

The Gokseong-gun Agricultural Rehabilitation Center was the first of its kind nationwide when it opened in 2016. However, operations were temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 and resumed on February 10 of this year.

When it reopened in February, about 143 visitors came to the center, but as the treatment effects spread by word of mouth, the number of users steadily increased. As a result, the cumulative number of users reached about 7,000 by the end of November.

Gokseong-gun has more than 38% of its population aged 65 or older and agriculture as a core industry. Due to these characteristics, it is estimated that 80% of elderly farmers suffer from musculoskeletal disorders known as farmer’s syndrome.

The center provides customized exercise guidance to elderly residents to improve muscle strength in order to prevent and treat such farmer’s syndrome.

Additionally, for residents with farmer’s syndrome or those requiring medical guidance, the center offers exercise guidance through professional consultations linked with rehabilitation medicine specialists.

On the second floor of the center, a 30-pyeong (approximately 99 square meters) circuit exercise room was equipped with six types of group circuit system exercise machines, the first of their kind in Jeollanam-do.

By exercising in rotation with six people using the machines, exercise effectiveness can be enhanced.

Customized exercise amounts are set according to individual body weight, and since personal exercise records are saved, users can monitor their physical health trends and exercise effectively.

The center also conducts disinfection and sterilization every morning and afternoon for the health of users, and thoroughly enforces preventive measures by continuously guiding residents to wear masks and use hand sanitizers.

A user of the Agricultural Rehabilitation Center, Mr. A, said, “While working in Germany as a dispatched miner and nurse, I visited several hospitals due to muscle weakness but saw little effect. However, since I started regularly attending the Agricultural Rehabilitation Center and doing various exercises, my back and knee pain have eased. Coming to the rehabilitation center every day has become one of the most important parts of my daily routine.”

The person in charge of the Agricultural Rehabilitation Center at the Gokseong-gun Health and Medical Center said, “We will operate the center with a sense of responsibility so that residents can enjoy a healthy old age.”

Gokseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-sun hss79@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.