Don’t think that because you work at a desk that you’re immune from the chance of injury in the workplace. You already have plenty on your mind at work, but giving some consideration to how you handle your body there can help keep your back and joints safe.

Musculoskeletal injuries can cause pain, loss of productivity and loss of wages. What may seem like relatively minor factors—like how you lift a package or configure your chair—can make a big difference in your comfort and safety on the job. Again, regardless of the intensity of physical activity in your particular line of work, your fitness and flexibility are essential to staying injury-free. Here are some things to consider while you’re on the job:

• The best way to lift a heavy object is to let your legs do the work. Bend at the knees rather than at the waist and let those big leg muscles do the work, not your back.

• If you work in front of a computer, maintain good posture. That begins with a good chair that supports your back and doesn’t pinch the backs of your legs. The alignment of your keyboard and monitor is also important. The center of the monitor should be at eye level and the keyboard should be centered.

• Get up from your desk regularly to stretch and walk.

Talk with your chiropractor for more tips about how to stay safe on the job.

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