The spine is made up of stacked bones called the vertebrae. They are arranged in three natural curves that are necessary to keep your body supported. Strong, flexible muscles help maintain these curves. In a healthy spine the three curves are:
* cervical, the curve inwards at your neck,
* thoracic, the curve outwards in the middle, and
* lumbar, the curve in the low back.

Look at a person from the side and you will see these natural curves. When the middle curve is too far out so a person looks "hunchbacked", the condition is called kyphosis. It is important to discover if the kyphosis is a deformity or just bad posture.

If kyphosis is a structural problem, early detection is important. School screening usually alerts a child and parents so treatment can begin. Exercises and bracing are often the first choice. Rarely is surgery required.

Slouching is the most common cause of kyphosis. The shoulders are held forward. The head sticks out front. The muscles in the back become tight and weak. Health problems like back pain, headaches and fatigue result.

Maintain good posture sitting, standing and sleeping. Our heads are heavy! Keep your head up, maintaining a small curve in the neck, directly over your shoulders and not out front where the muscles must work too hard. Pull your shoulders gently back.

You will find that when you straighten the top curve the middle curve does not slouch. Other tips to good posture are:
* take frequent breaks to stretch,
* stretch your hamstrings, and
* use a chair that has good back support.

Make good posture a habit.

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