If you want to give your self the best possible chance at preventing disc degeneration, follow these guidelines:

Low back flexibility – stretch low back muscles (eg rolling knees side to side), glutes (eg hugging your knee to your chest), hip flexors (eg lunge stretch), and hamstrings.

Core Strength – Deep abdominal strength/endurance as developed in Pilates; see figure (from http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/lbp involves drawing in your abdomen to contract the deep abdominals – get me to check you are doing it right next time you come in!)

Use correct Lifting Technique. Don’t combine movements eg bending and twisting at the same time, and don’t hold things too far away from your body.

Have good Posture at work, whether it be lifting or sitting. Take regular breaks (changing position has been shown to promote fluid/nutrition to the disc), and try to get a little stretching done through the day.

Do some regular exercise and keep your weight under control – this is important for your back as well as your general health. And yes, as it is with everything else, smoking is bad for your back.

Treatment – studies have shown that people who get treatment once a month have “less disability and less acute episodes” than people who don’t.