Whether it’s a manual-labor job that requires a great deal of bending and lifting, or one that entails typing at a computer all day, more than 1.8 million Americans report work-related musculoskeletal injuries each year.

After the introduction of the computer, more and more office workers have suffered from common injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, low-back pain, neck pain, headaches, tendonitis and bursitis. Now chiropractors are seeing injuries related to new technologies, such as “smart phones.”

Chiropractors perform workplace ergonomic assessments and recommendations; educate employees on proper biomechanics, lifting techniques and stretching exercises at work; as well as provide nutrition and diet tips for healthier, happier and more productive employees.

Office workers should take breaks away from the computer and stretch frequently. While working on the computer, sit with the knees at approximately a 90- to 120-degree angle and use an angled footrest to support feet and improve posture.

Don’t lift by bending over. Instead, bend hips and knees and then squat to pick up the object. Keep the back straight, and hold the object close to the body. Don’t twist the body while lifting. Push, rather than pull, when moving heavy objects.

Research points to chiropractic’s effectiveness at getting workers back on the job more quickly and less expensively than traditional medical care, according to the July 2000 issue of the Journal of American Chiropractic Association (JACA).

One study concluded that chiropractic offered consistent 2-to-1 superiority,and another found that treatment costs in cases managed by doctors of chiropractic increased only 12 percent between 1986 and 1989, while treatment costs in cases managed by medical doctors increased 71 percent during the same period, according to the JACA article.