By FisioterapiaECO Physio, Sin categoría, Work Injury

How physical therapy can reduce sick leave in hotels (a real case in Tenerife South)

Marta, the woman who never gives up (even when her body says enough is enough)

Marta (not her real name) has been cleaning houses for years. She is fast, meticulous, and likes to leave every corner spotless. But a few weeks ago, something started to change:
Her back screamed when she bent over. Her arms felt as heavy as if she were carrying bags of cement. She no longer worked with the same agility… and at the end of the day, she couldn’t even sleep.

Like many women in physical jobs, cleaners, maids, laundry staff, she endured. Until her body said “enough is enough.” That’s when she decided to come to the clinic.

After just two or three physical therapy sessions, Marta began to notice changes:
✔ She slept better.
✔ She could move her arms without pain.
✔ She could bend over without that treacherous “stabbing” pain.
✔ She felt strong again to face her day.

This improvement lasts for about four months, until the overload comes knocking at her door again. Then she returns. She takes care of herself. And she carries on. Because physical therapy not only relieves pain, it also protects.

Like Marta, many women in cleaning or hospitality work with their bodies as tools. And if that tool breaks… everything stops.

👉 Taking care of them also means taking care of tourism, the economy, and the dignity of work.

📉 The reality: chambermaids in Tenerife have the highest rate of sick leave in the sector.

According to the most recent data, 4 out of 10 chambermaids in the south of Tenerife are forced to take sick leave every year. This rate (38%) is almost double the national average for the service sector.
The main causes:
🔹 Back, shoulder, and knee injuries.
🔹 Continuous physical overexertion.
🔹 Lack of rest and insufficient staffing.

In addition, these sick leaves last longer than in other regions (up to 78 days in cases of shoulder injuries) and generate high costs for hotels, Social Security, and the workers themselves.

MAIN IDEAS FROM THE EXECUTIVE REPORTS (SUMMARIZED):

Tasa de bajas altísima:
En el sur de Tenerife, el 38% de las camareras de piso han sufrido al menos una baja laboral al año (muy por encima del promedio nacional del 21%).
Main causes:
Chronic musculoskeletal disorders (low back pain, shoulder and knee injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome) due to daily physical overexertion: lifting mattresses, moving furniture, cleaning while bending over or in awkward positions.
Prolonged sick leave:
Many sick leaves exceed 30 days (even 70–80 in cases such as shoulder injuries), due to the type of injury and the saturation of the healthcare system.
Costes muy elevados:
For companies, Social Security, and mutual insurance companies. It also means extra work for colleagues who are not injured, creating a vicious cycle of new sick leaves.
Poor ergonomic conditions:
Lack of investment in appropriate tools: adjustable beds, ergonomic trolleys, task rotation, or a reasonable number of rooms.
Aggravating factors:
Reduced staffing levels, non-stop tourism (there is no low season in the Canary Islands), an aging workforce, and a lack of active prevention.
Tendencia creciente (2021–2025):
After the pandemic, the tourism sector has boomed, but without improving conditions for those who clean. Sick leave is not only more frequent, but also longer and more costly.

💡 What if we prevent rather than cure?

This is where preventive and functional physiotherapy comes in, a key ally in reducing both the frequency and duration of sick leave.

At the Eco Physiotherapy Center, we help companies in the hotel sector and their workers with services that make a difference:

🛠️ Our services to prevent work-related injuries

1. Personalized functional assessments

We identify weak points before they turn into injuries. We evaluate strength, mobility, and endurance in critical areas such as the lower back, shoulders, and knees.

2. Preventive physical therapy

Regular treatments that improve mobility and reduce accumulated tension. Regular sessions prevent relapses and improve overall well-being.

3. Postural hygiene and ergonomics workshops

We teach effective techniques for lifting loads, making beds without damaging the spine, and using the body intelligently.

4. Therapeutic exercise programs

We create simple, tailored routines to maintain muscle tone without the need for a gym. Sometimes, 15 minutes a day can make all the difference.

5. Progressive return to work

We support workers after sick leave, so they can return safely and without fear of relapse.

💬 Benefits for everyone

✔ Companies reduce absenteeism costs, improve productivity, and enhance the work environment.
✔ Employees feel cared for, improve their health, and boost their self-esteem.
✔ Society saves millions in healthcare benefits and services.

Investing in physical therapy is not an expense; it is a smart strategy.

✋ What if we prevent the next sick leave?

At Centro Eco, we don’t wait for injuries to happen. We act before, accompany during, and help after.

👉 If you manage or work in a hotel, request a free information session to learn about our preventive plan for housekeeping staff.

🌿 Because taking care of those who take care of others… is also good for your health.

18/07/2025

By FisioterapiaECO Physio, Sin categoría, Studies, Work Injury

Low back pain and sick leave: how physical therapy can prevent the collapse of the hotel sector

One sick leave avoided, one company saved

My neighbor is a truck driver for a hardware store, and he’s one of those guys who never complains. But that day, after unloading some bags of cement, something “cracked” in his back.

“It’s nothing,” he said.

Twenty days later, he couldn’t even tie his shoelaces. The back pain became unbearable. He was on his way to sick leave.

Until he came to the clinic. In the first session, we realigned his vertebrae, released the muscle spasm… and two days later he was back behind the wheel. Back to work. Back to living without pain.

The moral of the story: don’t wait for the pain to scream. Treat it when it’s just a whisper.

The reality of sick leave in Spain

In 2024, Spain recorded more than 5.24 million cases of sick leave due to common contingencies, 10.3% more than the previous year. These cases lasted an average of 41 days, accumulating more than 215 million lost working days between January and July alone.

Musculoskeletal disorders (low back pain, back pain, hernias, etc.) accounted for 1 in 3 cases. These were followed by mental disorders (anxiety, burnout, depression), which have doubled in incidence since 2017.

According to the Bank of Spain, the proportion of workers on temporary disability leave has risen from 2.7% (2019) to 4.4% (2024), widespread across all regions and sectors.

Hotel sector: the epicenter of absenteeism

In places such as the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, the problem is exacerbated. In the hotel sector in southern Tenerife (Arona and Adeje), absenteeism has reached 20% or more in the high season.

Main causes:

Physical overload: Housekeepers suffer from lower back pain and other chronic injuries from lifting beds, bending over, and pushing heavy carts.
Work-related stress: Long hours, changing shifts, and constant pressure affect mental health.
Staff shortages: This forces the employees who are present to work harder, creating a vicious circle.
Expensive housing and transportation: Many employees have to travel long distances, which increases exhaustion.

Economic cost of absenteeism

The impact is not only personal. It is also economic:

Spending on temporary disability benefits in 2024 exceeded €15 billion, 78.5% more than in 2019.
Companies assumed €4.613 billion in wage supplements and replacements.
In hotels, the additional labor cost due to sick leave reaches up to 25% extra compared to the initial budget.

Physical therapy: an effective and cost-effective solution

Let’s go back to my neighbor’s case. A timely session prevented him from taking 40 days off work. The same logic can be applied in companies:

Early intervention = fewer days off work.
Less medication. Fewer relapses.
Better quality of life for the worker.

In the case of the hotel sector, many hotels are already taking measures:

Real examples:

Hiring physical therapists for staff.
Agreements with clinics for preventive sessions.
Introduction of adjustable beds and ergonomic carts.
Stretching, yoga, and stress management classes.

Measures in place in Tenerife South

Internal reorganization:

Rotating shifts, support between departments, and cross-training to cover gaps.

Temporary hiring:

Although this increases costs, it allows services to be maintained. Some chains have created pools of substitutes.

Automation and technical aids:

The Canary Islands Government subsidizes the purchase of adjustable beds and ergonomic cleaning carts.

Well-being programs:

Such as “Lopesan Vita,” with health challenges, emotional support, and access to physical therapy.

Shared transportation:

Free buses connect Santa Cruz and other towns with hotels in the south, reducing the stress of commuting.

Housing for employees:

Spring Hotels has acquired properties to create affordable rental housing for its staff.

Changes in labor agreements

In 2025, the Tenerife hospitality agreement introduced a new clause: employees must now have 12 months’ seniority to receive 100% of their salary during sick leave. The aim is to discourage short-term sick leave among new staff.

A pilot project has also been set up with the Canary Islands Government to improve recovery and return-to-work processes.

Pain waits for no one

Lower back pain is not just simple pain. It is one of the main causes of sick leave in Spain. And most importantly, much of it is preventable.

The case of the truck driver is just one example. What physical therapy did for him can also be done for dozens of hotel workers, housekeepers, cooks, and receptionists.

Prevention is care. And care is savings.

In a sector such as tourism, where every person counts, caring for occupational health means protecting the quality of the destination.

Sources:

Ministry of Social Security
Bank of Spain
Hosteltur
CEHAT / Ashotel
Cadena SER / Canarias7
Trade union reports

Do you manage a hotel or tourism business?
Perhaps it’s time to integrate physical therapy into your workplace strategy. Preventing sick leave can be cheaper than covering it.

Category: Sin categoría

How physical therapy can reduce sick leave in hotels (a real case in Tenerife South)

Marta, the woman who never gives up (even when her body says enough is enough)

📉 The reality: chambermaids in Tenerife have the highest rate of sick leave in the sector.

MAIN IDEAS FROM THE EXECUTIVE REPORTS (SUMMARIZED):

💡 What if we prevent rather than cure?

🛠️ Our services to prevent work-related injuries

1. Personalized functional assessments

2. Preventive physical therapy

3. Postural hygiene and ergonomics workshops

4. Therapeutic exercise programs

5. Progressive return to work

💬 Benefits for everyone

✋ What if we prevent the next sick leave?

Low back pain and sick leave: how physical therapy can prevent the collapse of the hotel sector

One sick leave avoided, one company saved