While the human spine is not the optimal design for modern living, there are steps you can take to decrease the toll today’s lifestyle takes on your back. These include:

• Keep fit: when your back and stomach muscles are strong, it reduces your chances of several types of back pain.
• Don’t smoke: smoking increases the risk of back pain and also delays the recovery if a back injury does occur.
• Maintain a healthy weight: in addition to strong muscles, carrying less weight, especially belly weight, reduces the strain on your back muscles.
• Maintain proper posture: standing with a neutral pelvic position (not tilted), sitting with back support and knees and hips at the same level, and lifting with your legs without twisting can all help reduce the chance of back injuries.
• Learn about ergonomics: especially if you work in a physically demanding job, employing principles of ergonomics (designing furniture and tools that conform to the natural contours of the body) can greatly reduce the risk of back injury and help maintain a healthy back. There are also support devices which can assist you with maintaining proper posture and other devices which encourage proper ergonomic movement.