Avoid hard, cold seats; I think I got some/one twice when using unpadded wooden seats at my computer (and at the time, I had much less built-in padding too.) Also: get up, stretch and get your blood flowing once in a while. Alcohol ain't too good either.

If you're really averse to sitting but embarrassed about why, tell everyone your back is out and insist on a standing desk; I knew someone who'd knocked her back out and stood at a podium/desk for six months; reminded me of Hemmingway, who I expect had other reasons for standing while writing.

Thanks Freda, for this thread. Chronic throat problems here, and I'm going to try more vitamin C and rutin. None of the LPR sites on diet bother to mention what is GOOD for you, just what you should avoid.