The backbone or spine (or the vertebral column) can be divided into four major curves. The shapes of these curves allow our bodies to properly distribute weight in different positions and conditions, such as when sitting or bending down. However, certain spine malformations can cause these curves to deviate significantly, which may lead to chronic pain or serious disabilities.
Click here for original story, Ahead of the curve: An optical fiber sensor for measuring deviations in the spine
Source: Phys.org