For 10 hours a day, Kathy Gibson sits at a computer, analyzing data for the Louisville company that employs her.

And during those 10 hours, Gibson, 46, is in pain.

"From sitting all day long, I hurt," she said.

Before quitting her job as a respiratory therapist to take a desk job analyzing respiratory data, Gibson never had back problems. Now, she's had one major surgery, numerous nonsurgical treatments including physical therapy and spinal injections, and will most likely undergo another back surgery in the next year.

For the millions of Americans who are tied to their computer terminals each day, back problems are becoming more prolific. From simple muscle fatigue to deteriorating discs, it seems our backs are taking the brunt of our nonactivity.

"Static posture positioning is one of the hardest things to do," said Beverly Parrott, a certified manual physical therapist with Physical Therapy and Injury Specialists in Denver.

During 40 years working as a physical therapist, Parrott has conducted more than 1,000 job site evaluations, trying to help employees improve their working environment. The term of the day is ergonomics, or the study of how humans interact with their work environment.

As it turns out, we should have listened to our mothers and grandmothers; we need to sit up straight.

"Having a good postural awareness is a conscious effort," Parrott said. "I tell some clients they need to have a little sticky note on their computers that says 'Sit tall.' "

Poor posture not only causes back pain, but it can lead to the dreaded hunchback look. Worse, it also can lead to more serious back problems.

"I've seen a lot of patients with neck pain," said Dr. Zaki Ibrahim, an orthopedic spine surgeon with South Denver Spine in Parker. "It's predominantly postural."

Most of the pain is caused from muscular tension, from being in one position - or an incorrect position - for too long, Ibrahim said.

Although most neck, shoulder and back pain can be treated with conservative methods such as physical therapy and wearing a soft neck brace, persistent, chronic pain may require anti-inflammatory medication, injections or even surgery.

The key is an ergonomically correct workstation and getting up and standing for at least five minutes each 30 minutes, Parrott said. Exercises that can be performed while at work also help, she said.

Gibson said she tries to stand up and sometimes walk around every hour. She keeps an exercise ball in her office, and tries to do stretches if they are not too painful. She also is in a pain management program, which includes a regiment of pain medication that gets her through the day.

"Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to function at all," she said.