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NovaCare Inc., a national employer of nearly 17,000 licensedphysical-rehabilitation clinicians, recently conducted a study todetermine which types of injuries were most frequently sustained inthe workplace. Topping the list for both men and women? Backinjuries, followed by neck and shoulder injuries.

"The findings," says John H. Foster, chairman and CEOof NovaCare, "are distressing, and point to the need forever-greater on-the-job injury-prevention efforts. Workplaceinjuries account for more than $70 billion annually in medicalexpenses and lost productivity."

As a small-business owner, the first preventative measure totake is as easy as listening to your body.