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 …