If we fail to take our vehicles in for routine maintenance, they are going to start experiencing problems that will have them in and out of the garage. The same can be said for our spines. If we don’t perform routine maintenance on our spines, it can lead to problems that could have us in and out of the doctor’s office.We (and I am no exception) are all guilty of these bad habits:* Slouching/poor posture* A sedentary lifestyle* Too much time in front of the computer* Hunching over smartphones all day* Sleeping on the stomach* Not stretching* Not drinking enough waterThese habits can lead to back and neck pain and that pain persists without regular chiropractic maintenance. In addition to regular visits, you can keep your spine healthy by:* Stretching regularly. If you don’t use muscles, you will lose them. Isolate key muscle groups (back, shoulders, neck, legs, etc.) and stretch them daily.* Staying hydrated. I know I sound like a broken record, but I cannot emphasize this enough. Sticking with the automobile theme, what happens when we don’t keep fluids in our vehicles? Exactly, and the same thing will happen to our bodies.* Moving! In addition to stretching, move about during the day. Take a walk during lunch or after dinner. Get up and walk around the office building during the day.* Getting a good night’s sleep. Your bed and pillow should both help keep your body in natural alignment.* Sitting up straight. Sit up straight in your car, at your desk chair and at home while watching TV. If you slouch, your spine is going to slouch!