Physical Characteristics And Posture - Who Develops Back Problems: Back Pain

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Physical characteristics and posture

Print Email More

Your build, weight, and height seem to have little to do with your likelihood of developing back pain, although being overweight puts you at increased risk of having your symptoms return. Even a moderate difference in leg length (up to three-quarters of an inch) has no proven adverse effect on the lower back.

And despite your mother's admonition to "sit up straight," experts now agree that, in most cases, posture alone — whether bad or good — will neither predispose you to back pain nor shield you from it. Slumping and slouching don't seem to have much effect on the basic health of your spine. Even moderate scoliosis (lateral, or sideways, curvature of the spine) usually does not produce chronic back discomfort. But before you drop your shoulders and droop into your chair, it's important to note that poor posture can exacerbate existing back pain. Improving your body mechanics can help relieve your symptoms and prevent recurrences.

Who develops back problems?: 6 of 8

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Print Email More

Last updated:	January 23, 2007

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, Use of Content Agreement and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.