Six Wellness Tips In between your visits to our office, there are lots of things you can do to keep your body - especially your back - healthy. If this sounds familiar-well, we've been talking to your mother. It just so happens she was right: Sit up straight. Develop the habit of good posture. It makes a world of difference in the way your back feels.  Other people look at your posture, you should too.  There are numerous studies on the benefits of good posture. Eat your vegetables. A good diet is important to your overall health.  All those nutrients help your body repair itself. And, you want to keep your weight down. Carrying extra weight puts extra strain on the back.  Nutrition will be an area that Dr. Servais will address.  Diet does play a role on the health of your spine. Turn off the TV. Get up and move. Go for a walk. Add exercise to your regular routine. And when you have to sit for long periods, stretch regularly.  Active people are healthier, smarter and happier. Put that down. Don't lift things that are too heavy for you. (And if you have to, you know what they say-lift with your legs, not your back).  Don't carry around a backpack stuffed full of books (especially not on one shoulder) or a heavy bag if you can avoid it. The key is to minimize. Only take what you really need.  It is much easier to prevent an injury than to heal one after it has incurred.  Learn how to lift wiser through Dr. Servais’s seminars. Go to sleep. Sleep is essential for your well-being. Don’t sleep on your stomach, which can strain the muscles in your neck and back. Practice sleeping on your side or back. Don’t smoke.  Studies find that people who smoke have a much greater incidence of back pain.