Back and neck pain are inevitable problems you may experience at one time in your life or another. Whether it's those long hours at work hunched over your computer or sitting uncomfortably for an extended periods of time- you have probably experienced stress on your back muscles. So how does this add up over time? According to Dr. Paul Fuchs, “It can contribute to some discomfort in your back it can contribute to an achy-ness. But long term, there really has been no research that would say that long term leaning forward or a specific posture would necessarily cause any permanent damage."

A lot of stress on the spine over time can leas o changes in the structure of the spine- these changes can lead to lots of back pain. “Usually spinal problems are more genetic oriented. If somebody has bad posture, it could be because of a deformity in their spine, it could be habitual,” says Dr. Fuchs.

Because spinal deformities can be a result of bad habits- good news is spine problems are preventable. Steps you can take include practicing good posture and body mechanics throughout the day. Regular exercise also helps to maintain flexibility.

Research suggests when good posture is practiced, it not only makes you feel better but it can also make you look 10 pounds lighter and years younger.