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        Prolonged use of a computer can increase the risk of developing back pain. This is because it can induce the adoption of bad postures and a sedentary lifestyle, Dr Chandrika Manimaran, medical director, Sri Venkateswara's CM Hospital in suburban Nanganallur, says.

        The risk of back pain among computer users is aggravated by:

        Position: When you are sitting the load on the vertebral disc is greater on the front wall. In turn this increases the pressure on the back wall. If the sitting position is held for a long time, this can increase the risk of breakage or malformation of the disc and the development of a fissure, protrusion or herniated disc. This risk is greater if the muscles are weak.

        Bad posture: Bad postures while sitting or standing increases the pressure on the vertebral disc which leads to its degeneration.

        Lack of muscle strength: (Muscular atrophy - shrinkage) Sitting longs hours before the computer weakens the muscle strength. It makes the muscles liable to overload and spasm in response to even slight strain, the doctor of the Bone and Joint Centre asserts.

        Can back pain affect your ability to work?

        Yes. The pain can become chronic. Once this occurs, it leads to neurological problems that make it more difficult to treat.

        What is the popular negative thinking about back pain?

        A mistaken belief that lower back pain is a a serious persistent injury.

        Pessimism that back pain cannot be cured and that it will go on indefinitely and will always limit your abilities and quality of life.

        Fear of pain, limiting one's activities, over use of medication and stopping any task which causes the slightest increase in the pain.

        What to do to prevent or treat back pain among heavy users of computers like programmers, tele-callers etc?

        Keep up a minimum level of physical activity. Even little things can help. Get used to making day-to-day journeys on foot rather than sitting in the car or bus. Take to climbing stairs a few time rather than using lifts always.

        Do some aerobic exercises like jogging, swimming for 20 to 30 minutes at least every alternate day.

        Know and observe the rules of postural stature while standing or sitting.

        Learn how to sit and work in the office in a posture that is best and safest for your back. If you are a regular computer user, getting up for a short while once in every 40 to 50 minutes and walking a little or stretching your back gently backwards will do good.

        Maintain and develop the back muscles.

        Training of muscles in back reduces the risk of spasm or muscle catch.

        Aerobic exercises such as jogging and swimming will keep your back muscles in full trim. If you experience pain in the back you need the right diagnosis and treatment. Your family physician, orthopaedician and physiotherapist can guide you for the best treatment and speedy recovery, Dr Chandrika says.