Work-related back pain doesn't just happen to physical laborers, as many deskbound office workers can attest.

"Health problems caused by long hours sitting in front of a computer are jeopardizing the health of the workforce, and affecting corporate America's ability to compete in the global economy," said Dr. Peter F. Ullrich, medical director of Spine-health and an orthopedic spine surgeon.

Here are some tips from the experts at Spinehealth on preventing back and neck pain:

•Just move. The human body can only tolerate one position for 20 minutes at a time, 30 minutes maximum.

•Avoid hunching. Sitting at the front of an office chair, hunching forward to see the computer screen, is wrong. Try to "retrain" posture.

•Choose an adjustable office chair. Make sure it has the flexibility to adjust to the needs of the body and work and can support the low back and create good posture. Consider such features as adjustable seat height, back rests and arm rests, as well as lumbar adjustment and padding.

•Use exercise as the ultimate weapon against back problems. As people age, having strong back and abdominal muscles, the core body muscles, is critical for maintaining good posture. These muscles don't get used in typical everyday activities, so office workers need to keep them in shape.

This story is provided by State Point Media.