Smoking is bad for your health in general but can be detrimental to your spine. Smoking can increase your risk for spinal disc degeneration. The toxins in a cigarette, tobacco, carbon monoxide, and nicotine, damage your discs which then leads to spinal disc degeneration. Smoking also affects your nutrient intake. Your spine requires nutrients to function properly and healthy. When it doesn’t get the nutrients it needs, your discs can break down and your spine will become weak. Quitting smoking has numerous health benefits for your spine. If you are a smoker and are experiencing back pain, contact William Capicotto today at (716) 881-0382.