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1:00 am, February 4, 2008
Smaller firms 'have higher risk of injury'

By Shawn Selby

Employees at small businesses are at a greater risk of suffering back and spine injuries than their counterparts at large companies, physiotherapist Chris Norris says.

“The problem is two-fold. The intensity of the work plus workers tend to have to do everything” in a small business, the owner of Norris Associates in Sale said. “They can't take light work like at a larger business.”

The best thing workers who are trapped at their desk can do to stay flexible is a regimen of stretches once every couple of hours, said Norris, who has been a physiotherapist for 25 years.



THREE SIMPLE STRETCHES WHICH CAN BE DONE WHILE SITTING AT A DESK:

Over head reach

Sit upright with shoulders touching chair back

Interlink fingers and reach overhead, keeping arms straight

Reach up and back, pressing your upper back and shoulders against the chair back. Repeat three times.

Chin tuck

Sit upright and keep looking forwards

Tuck your chin in to give yourself a “double chin”

Hold this position for 3-5 seconds and then release. Repeat repeat five times.

Spinal twist

Sit tall and fold your arms

Twist to your right and gently pull yourself further round by pulling with your right hand on your left elbow

Twist to the left, pulling on your right elbow with your left hand. Perform three twists in each direction.