4 Moves That Can Save Your Back

Back pain is not a normal part of aging, even though the risk for it increases with age. By making a few lifestyle changes-stopping smoking, losing weight, managing stress, getting enough sleep-you can increase your chance of being pain-free. "But the best way to prevent back pain," says A.J. Cianflocco, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, "is by staying in shape, doing back exercises [such as those below], and concentrating on posture and body mechanics."