I'm an architect, so its primarily a desk job with some site work.

University was just particularly brutal. They took pleasure in breaking us. I think I saw everyone cry at least once.

0/10 would recommend.

Its likely not in your head, when I sat for hours at a drawing board in university it wasn't fun. I remember one night I just sort of toppled sideways because I was too stiff to move when I was done and just stayed like that for a while.

A good anti-inflammatory + a good pillow does wonders!

I'd recommend seeing a biokineticist. They're cheaper than you'd expect (at least here they are anyway). I started with mine from the sports-science dept at university. I think I was part of her thesis.

A large gym or physio practice might have one or two.

They develop a workout plan for you and walk you through it. You only go back every 8 weeks or so to adjust the plan as you get stronger. They typically have a masters degree, so they are way better than some guy who did a 2 week course to be a trainer.

Dancing or Yoga is a great start!

I was really relieved. Nobody wants to be the kid with the tracheotomy and a back brace. I'd already done one huge surgery with 7 weeks in hospital, and I am NOT keen on doing another.

Not really in pain (but sometimes). I do have a high pain threshold though. My body is weird, so it self balanced. I have extra floating ribs and my hips and shoulders aren't level to counteract the curve. My one leg is ever so slightly longer to take up the raised hip.

You can barely tell unless I wear a fitted dress with stripes or if it has a zip up the back, then the lines aren't straight. Shoulder straps always fall off my left shoulder.

My neck gives me the most problems. I have spina bifida occulta there so its often stiff and sounds like rice krispies when I move. Sometimes causes headaches, the doc said "DON'T LET ANYONE TOUCH YOUR NECK". I do have a bit of a neck hump.

I try and do a lot of core work, my pain levels are definitely worse when I don't exercise for long periods. My parents put me in ballet as soon as I could walk at the advice of a doctor. I think that helped a lot in terms of using the correct muscles to stand, walk etc. Often people use their back muscles instead of their core, especially if your core is weak, that causes a lot of back pain.

I used a biokineticist for a bit - and they are really helpful in targeting the right muscles to strengthen and showed me how to exercise the right way so as not to hurt myself. Slow and steady, no jerky movements. Rather go slow and have good technique than go balls to the wall and hurt yourself.

Pilates is probably the best, but its CRAZY expensive. I did really enjoy pole fitness, its so much fun and great for working your core and back muscles, my lung function took a nose dive so I had to stop.

I have a bunch of other health issues so whenever I'm in hospital I take full use of the physios. I love physios.

I would highly recommend a good pillow! I got a tempur contour pillow and my neck issues have hugely improved.

My spine looks similar to yours AFAIK. I have extra floating ribs and am (was?) 5 degrees short of any intervention.