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Healthy Buildings
Healthy Buildings
2- Book Title:
Healthy Buildings and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Advances in Occupant Health and Wellbeing
Book Reviews/Testimonials
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“For those of us working at the intersection of innovation and hospitality, this book is both timely and essential. By linking healthy buildings with musculoskeletal health, it provides practical insights for designing spaces that not only deliver exceptional guest experiences but also strengthen organizational resilience.”
Neil Tarallo
Sr. Lecturer, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, The Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University. Author of The Purposeful Leader, How Multi-Dimensional Thinking Shapes Leadership in a World That Won’t Sit Still
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“Healthy Buildings and Musculoskeletal Disorders: Advances in Occupant Health and Wellbeing by Gherscovici and Mayer is a welcomed addition to the musculoskeletal (MSk) field. Having spent the past 30+ years practicing, investigating, researching and writing about the diagnosis and management of patients with MSk disorders, it has become increasingly clear that how and where my patients spend most of their day has a huge impact on their MSk health. And there is only so much I can do in the clinic to impact that. Gherscovici and Mayer provide the key link between clinical care and public health by bringing attention to the importance of healthy buildings in the health of the populace, most of which spends most of the day and night in buildings. The authors are to be congratulated on a job well done.”
Donald R. Murphy, DC, FRCC
Clinical Assistant Professor, Dept of Family Medicine Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Director of Clinical Pathways Value Care Partners, LLC. Author of Clinical Reasoning in Spine Pain: Primary Management of Low Back Disorders Using the CRISP® Approach. A Practical Evidence-Based Guide.
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“As a spinal surgeon who deals with patients with all types of symptoms which relate to the spine and symptoms that could emanate from other areas of the musculoskeletal system, it was very surprising and informative to see the science and evidence behind some of the environmental factors that can affect real diseases that can lead to significant symptoms. Clearly these factors are not well-known or even considered in the modern treatment of these pathologies. The information in this piece gives a practitioner and patients a broader spectrum and viewpoint, when considering the causes and treatments of these potentially disabling disorders.”
Jeffrey C. Wang, MD
Prof. of Orthopedic Surgery (Clinical Scholar) and Co-Director of the USC Spine Center, Keck School of Medicine of USC. Former president of the North American Spine Society, The Cervical Spine Research Society and Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics.
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“Healthy Buildings and Musculoskeletal Disorders: Advances in Occupant Health and Wellbeing by Gherscovici and Mayer is a wealth of information that aligns with the whole-person paradigm. It is a welcome addition to the literature that integrates whole-person principles with environmental and physical space design elements, to support the biopsychosocial goal of improving physical and mental wellbeing. They should be commended for producing such a well-written manuscript.”
Michael Schneider, PhD, DC
Professor and Director of Doctor of Chiropractic Program, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh.
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“As a psychologist dedicated to aiding individuals with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and chronic pain in successfully reentering the workforce, I greatly value the authors’ recognition of the biopsychosocial MSD risk factors. The primary strength of this publication lies in its systematic examination of evidence, particularly the key findings presented in Chapter 7: Relationships Between Healthy Buildings and Musculoskeletal Disorders. This pivotal chapter provides a critical foundation for informing both practice and policy. This book equips readers with the essential expertise and motivation required to enhance the human-building-environment interface, empowering stakeholders to align the right individuals with the appropriate care, at the right time, and in the right environment, ultimately facilitating recovery and minimizing disability associated with MSDs.”
Leonard N. Matheson, PhD
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) 2021 Health Advocate Award Recipient, Neurorehabilitation Psychologist, Director of Research of EpicRehab, Associate Editor of the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation and is on the editorial board of Work.
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“The book Healthy Buildings and Musculoskeletal Disorders by emeritus authors Gherscovici E.D. and Mayer J.M., is more than a book; it is a comprehensive and in-depth document of this new field. It reaffirms, once again, that insight is not only the fruit of knowledge and intelligence but, above all, the fruit of experience. The book represents a very valuable scientific contribution to a variety of stakeholders but most importantly to the benefit of patients suffering from these debilitating conditions. I extend my admiration and congratulations to its authors, Gherscovici and Mayer, for their invaluable professional and humanitarian contribution.”
Franco Livini, Engr
President of the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires.
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“Having been immersed in musculoskeletal management, education and research for over three decades, this first of its kind, significant work by Ezequiel Gherscovici and John Mayer brings to light novel and enlightening considerations for the field. With the increasing realisation and focus on the burden of musculoskeletal health across the globe, and no silver bullet in sight, it is perhaps time to consider a broader range of influences to fill the gaps in the literature. This book exposes one of those potential, underexplored influences; the buildings we live and work in. It guides and empowers those who are in positions of control over how our indoor environments are designed, constructed and operated, with the laudable goal of enhancing the well-being of the occupants, creating space that enhances human health, encourages an active lifestyle and potentially reduces musculoskeletal issues.”
Richard Rosedale, PT, Dip. MDT
International Director of Education, McKenzie Institute International.
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“The intersection between space and musculoskeletal pain and pathology has been recognized in the science for decades, however, there has been very little information in the area (besides postural correction and unsupported ergonomic advice) available to clinicians. Lower back pain has been recorded to develop “for no apparent reason” in over 65% of reported cases, which to a practicing clinician clearly indicts our living and working environments. It is both refreshing and exciting to find a book that explores the associations between these spaces and these conditions, as prevention cannot be successful without understanding the correlatives. This is the first book that I have come across that brings them to light.”
J. Mark Miller, PT, Dip.MDT
Faculty McKenzie Institute U.S.A., Faculty McKenzie Institute International, Chief Clinical Officer Integrated Musculoskeletal Care.
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“Healthy Buildings and Musculoskeletal Disorders: Advances in Occupant Health and Wellbeing” by Ezequiel Gherscovici and John Mayer. The expression ‘hiding in plain sight’ comes to mind when reflecting on the attention to detail and historical perspectives contained within this comprehensive and fascinating book exploring the links between Healthy Buildings and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Although the evidence behind some of the multiplicity of factors that can influence the human-building-environment and the effect on MSD conditions has been available for many years, this appears to be the first time this information has been so comprehensively collated and presented in such a readable format. With the emphasis in MSDs very much on self-management and education, Gherscovici and Mayer are effectively redefining both the art and science of the interface of MSDs within the indoor built environment, reinforcing the importance of understanding these complex interactions to assist in more comprehensive and sustainable programs for the management and prevention of MSD. I am very confident this excellent book will be foundational in shaping both practice and policy as this emerging field of Healthy Buildings and MSDs develops, by raising awareness and providing an evidence-based framework for future initiatives. As an experienced MSD clinician, I welcome this book’s valuable insights into the financial, health, social, environmental, and sustainability aspects of Healthy Buildings and MSDs.”
Grant Watson, Dip Phys, ADP(OMT), Dip MT, Dip MDT
Co-author with Robin McKenzie and Robert Lindsay of the Treat Your Own Extremities series. Retired McKenzie Institute International Faculty member
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“One of the exciting things about scientific investigation is when it uncovers something new and unexpected. By exploring a link between the buildings, where we spend most of our lives and musculo-skeletal disorders, Gherscovici and Mayer have done just that in their book Healthy Buildings and Musculoskeletal Disorders. I congratulate them on their excellent work and the originality of the thought behind it.”
Colin Davies, PT, Dip. MDT
Chairman Board of Trustee, McKenzie Institute International.
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“The book, “Healthy Buildings and Musculoskeletal Disorders”, subtitled “Advances in Occupant Health and Wellbeing”, by Ezequiel Gherscovici and John Mayer, is a 400-page text that covers in detail all the important aspects of the relationship between building constructions and their occupants. Ever since human beings ceased being wandering bands of hunter-gatherers, we have constructed buildings to protect us from weather, predators and rivals. In the last 200 years of industrial, scientific and social progress, our buildings have become essential to our survival. However, buildings themselves carry risk factors that can negatively influence our lifestyle, comfort and health. Gherscovici and Mayer have produced a comprehensive text covering all essential details of risk factors, health issues associated with structures and buildings, new and old, from historical, contemporary and future perspectives. This text should become a seminal resource for public health experts, construction companies, companies whose prime customers are tenants and inhabitants, and any government agency executives with roles of advising on building codes and public health. Gherscovici and Mayer establish the full historical context of the issues associated with health, habitats and habitants, and seamlessly develop the concepts through current legislation, building codes and knowledge of current epidemiological literature relating to general health, and musculoskeletal disorders especially. My own expertise is confined to the diagnosis and treatment of painful musculoskeletal disorders, and my knowledge of business, epidemiology, and public health is limited. However, I feel that Gherscovici and Mayer have produced a manuscript that captures the current state of understanding in the science of healthy buildings, with excellent guidance for future development. I congratulate Gherscovici and Mayer on their fine effort and expect that they will update the information at intervals in years to come, with follow-up editions.”
Mark Laslett, PhD, NZRSP, FNZCP, Dip.MT, Dip.MDT
New Zealand Board Registered Specialist Physiotherapist (Musculoskeletal) Author of: “The Science & Art of Musculoskeletal Diagnosis” (2025) “Back Pain: Diagnosis & Management Beyond Guidelines” (2024) “Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy: The Upper Limb” (1996).
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I would like to congratulate Gherscovici and Mayer in this refreshingly objective evaluation of the broader impacts of environmental and living conditions on musculoskeletal disorders. ‘Healthy Buildings and Musculoskeletal Disorders Advances in Occupant Health and Wellbeing’ is on time and on point as increasing population awareness drives accountability across chemical, environmental, medical, surgical and pharmaceutical interventions which have too long enjoyed inadequate scrutiny. This work marks a radical expansion in the scope of consideration of the environmental impacts upon MSD’s in a highly commendable endeavour to alleviate one of the primary health burdens upon our modern society. My name is Alistair McKenzie, Son of the late Robin McKenzie OBE, CNZM. Musculoskeletal Disorders were the primary focus of my father’s career, he discovered and developed a method of treatment known as ‘The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy’ or (MDT) which rapidly became one of the most highly disruptive non-invasive musculoskeletal therapies in the world, yet despite its discovery of over 60 years and recognition from the Queen of England it remains vastly under recognised or utilised among the sector of population most in need, as is evidenced by the persistently high number of unnecessary spinal surgeries and the multitude of conflicting treatment regimens promulgated globally. Robins objective was to educate and equip, to eliminate patient/clinician dependency across the globe and to achieve this he established the McKenzie Institute International with the mandate of educating clinicians throughout the world in order to equip and liberate the patient. This book is a courageous and vastly scoped endeavour, requiring multiple highly focused areas of expertise, from the preventative healthy environment through to the fundamental effective treatment of MSD’s being the primary cause of lost man hours globally, I believe my father would be highly approving of this work.
Alistair McKenzie
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Researchers often uncover gaps in knowledge; here, the authors not only identify such a gap but also transform that void into potential solutions. Over the past century, the growing concern for how to care for the environment and our surrounding spaces has been the focus of many scholars. In this work, Ezequiel Gherscovici and John Mayer offer a new perspective on how the environment interacts intelligently to protect both human beings and the ecosystems in which they live. Healthy buildings are not merely a concept—it is a way of understanding health that appears to promise a shift in how we build, contribute, and coexist on our planet.
Santiago Gómez Argüello. PT; Cert. MDT; CMP.
Secretary for Training and Professional Development, Argentine Association of Kinesiology. Associate Professor, National University of La Matanza.
Providing services and solutions that will improve the quality of life of all occupants living, working and enjoying our certified buildings.