Avoid carrying heavy items. Sudden, forceful movements can sprain weak or overworked muscles. Better to sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees. If you are overweight, go on a diet. Each extra pound pulls the spine a little more forward than it should be, so even the loss of five or 10 pounds can ease a back under this kind of mechanical stress.
Researchers suspect that smoking reduces the back's blood supply and promotes disc degeneration.
Try to balance your weight equally on both feet when standing for long periods. Use chairs with good lower back support or roll up a towel to fill the space between your lower back and the chair. Sit with your feet flat on the floor or on an inclined footrest. Don't hunch or lean over while working at your computer. Your lower arms should be almost horizontal, parallel to the floor, while your hands are resting on the keyboard.