Cumulative trauma disorders account for 56% of all occupational injuries. Currently, occupational injuries affect 15% to 20% of all Americans. The United States government predicts that by the year 2000, 50% of the American workforce will have occupational injuries annually and 50 cents of every dollar will be spent on cumulative trauma disorders. There is common agreement on the need for reduction of cumulative trauma disorders in the workplace. However, there is little agreement on the appropriate definition for musculoskeletal pain that occurs in the workplace, or the ergonomic and epidemiologic model for cumulative trauma disorders, or on the specific exposure relationships of the individual, by the job, and occurring in the workplace. The previous treatments for, and the natural history of, cumulative trauma disorders in other countries gives some insight into the possible future of cumulative trauma disorders for the United States. Until research can provide specific dose and exposure relationships for the individual, prevention remains the best treatment for cumulative trauma disorders in the workplace.