DO bend at the waist and knees. When scrubbing floors. Avoid leaning over in an upright position.
DO sit up straight and not slouch.
DO slide to the front of your chair and push yourself off.
DO use a pillow under chest if you sleep on your stomach. If you suffer from migraine headaches, rise on weekend mornings at your usual weekday time schedule. Then after eating breakfast, go back to bed for an hour or two.
DO place your entire foot, not just the arch on steps or curbs.
DO raise your hands, and arms over head to relieve back fatigue, and mid thoracic discomfort.
DO sit on car seat first, and then swing your legs in together when entering into a vehicle. Reverse this motion when you exit the vehicle. When riding in a vehicle, move the seat closer to the steering wheel, and use a cushion to support the lower back.
DO walk often. Walking is good for your heart and spine.
DO NOT soak in a hot tub of water for lower back pain.
DO NOT cross your legs at the knees when sitting. Cross your legs at the ankles instead.
DO NOT sit with your back to the air conditioner.
DO NOT prop yourself with pillow to read or watch TV in bed. Avoid sleeping with pillows which are to high.
DO NOT sleep on a heating pad. You can use heat on your back when laying on your side with a pillow supporting the heating pad, or hot water bag. Use heat no longer than 30 minutes.
DO NOT reach and lift above your head. Avoid streching beyond normal limits.
DO NOT lift with your back. Rely on your leg muscles for lifting.
DO NOT shovel with a straight back. Flex Knees, and bend at the waist.
DO NOT use both hands to pull a heavy bags from the rear of a vehicle. Use one hand to brace against the side of the vehicle. Then pull with the other hand.
DO NOT hold the back muscles tight or ridge when riding over rough surfaces.