Many people might say they think of work as just another pain in the neck, but others it's a different story.

"Most people who have desk jobs are going to have neck pain, soreness and a tightness that develops," Dr. Michael Wheeler said.

Wheeler of the Spine Center in East Lansing said the pain people feel just by doing their everyday work activities can be very real.

"Some work related injuries I see in my office would be, muscle pain from sitting at the desk," Wheeler said. "Others pick can something up and feels a sharp pain in their back."

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration is thinking of imposing a mandatory ergonomic standard for all businesses. Which could mean redesigning the job and the equipment to fit the worker.

And while none of it would come cheap, some say the small business owner would be hit the hardest.

"They don't have a safety engineer, they don't have the staff that runs around looking into how to implement this rule," Charles Owen, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said. "They're worried about making payroll right now."

Ralph Beebe owns a small manufacturing firm in Howell.

"In my opinion, it's not the time in Michigan to add additional rules to manufacturing sector," Beebe said. "We need all the jobs we've got."

And both Beebe and Owens worry further regulation would hardly lay out the welcome mat for more businesses to come here.

"It's just a lot of time and money for businesses right now," Owens said.

Ergonomics or ergo nonsense? MIOSHA will meet to discuss it further next Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. The meeting is open to the public.