Did you know that stretching helps prevent musculoskeletal disorders? It's true, and the Japanese have known it for years. Employees in many Japanese workplaces begin every day with a group stretch led by a supervisor. In just minutes a day, a few simple exercises that stretch muscles and tendons can put an end to many of those costly workplace sprains, strains, and pains.

Use the following quick and easy head-to-toe stretching exercises before you start work—and periodically during the day—to keep your body flexible and your muscles relaxed while you work.

Neck stretches:

• Lower head toward the chest, stretch neck gently, and raise head slowly.
• Turn head gently from side to side.
• Tilt head slowly first toward one shoulder, then the other, then backward.

Shoulder stretches:

• Shrug shoulders and roll them forward and back.
• With elbows out, move arms back to bring shoulder blades together.
• Reach arms overhead, stretch, and bend gently from side to side.

Arm and wrist stretches:

• Place arms out in front of body. Lace fingers together and rotate hands so that palms are facing out. Straighten elbows and push palms gently away from body for a few seconds.
• Place arms out in front of body. Turn wrists so that palms turn out. Then turn wrists back so that palms turn in.
• Place arms out in front of body. Bend wrists up so that palms face out and hold for a few seconds. Then bend wrist down so that palms face in and hold for a few seconds.

Hand stretches:

• Make a fist and then extend and stretch your fingers.
• Touch thumb to little finger and hold for a few seconds.