Chartered physiotherapists are advising local office workers on how to avoid back pain and upper limb disorders using a new leaflet, called 'Fit to Work', which has been produced by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) The leaflet includes key risk factors, advice on how to improve the working environment and a series of basic exercises, which can be carried out at your workstation. British business loses an estimated 4.9 million days to employee absenteeism through work-related back conditions each year, with each affected employee taking an average of 19 days off work, according to the latest figures from the 2003/2004 Labour Force Survey. The charity Back Care meanwhile estimates the overall cost of back pain - to the NHS, business and the economy - at £5 billion per year. Back pain in the workplace is not confined to manual labourers - office workers are increasingly at risk. The good news is back pain is avoidable, says physiotherapist Heidi Pettersson, from Wrington Physiotherapy. Back pain and work related upper limb disorders such as repetitive strain injuries, are emerging in the workplace because people are increasingly leading sedentary lifestyles and our bodies are not designed to be inactive. If you spend much of your day sitting at a desk, it is essential you give your body a break from prolonged sitting and that your workstation is set up correctly to prevent you straining yourself due to bad posture. For more information or to get copies of the free leaflet 'Fit to Work' you can contact your local physiotherapist Heidi Pettersson at Wrington Physiotherapy Tel: 862985