With my background in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as spinal maladies, I cannot emphasize enough a prevention plan for the medical issues I frequently encounter. I strongly recommend you to strive for weight control, a healthy diet and a regular exercise program. For patients with back problems, my special recommendations involve two catch words to incorporate into your conscience before things get worse: posture and flexibility. These two things in terms of prevention are the simplest and possibly most powerful tools. Maintain good posture even when sitting (ergonomics) and if you’re not exercising regularly (you know who you are) then at least stretch regularly, especially your hamstrings and abdominals. My website links will show you how to do these.