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Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Tattoo Artists

Despite the widespread popularity of tattoos in the U.S. and worldwide, little consideration has been given to the occupational risk factors that tattoo artists face. Tattoo artists are exposed to many of the same risk factors faced by occupations such as dentistry and cosmetology, including prolonged static work postures and sustained gripping of hand held tools. However, no research has evaluated the extent to which the tattooing profession is adversely affected by its occupational demands. Utilizing a survey of tattoo artists, this research sought to benchmark the prevalence of symptoms commonly associated with the development of musculoskeletal disorders. The survey results revealed that tattoo artists experience high levels of discomfort in the lower back, neck, shoulders, and upper extremities and that these levels significantly exceed discomfort reported in professions that expose workers to similar ergonomic risk factors.