Why is low back pain everybody’s problem?

Any person that walks erect on two legs is at war with gravity. This is the basic reason why everyone will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives.

Many day-to-day occurrences put your spine at increased risk. Potholes and bumps on the roads create jerks to the spine while travelling. Overcrowded buses and trains cause muscle strain or sprains.

At work, sitting in the same posture at your desk fatigues out muscle and tires the joints. Stooping forward to work on computer or wearing high heels for long duration leads to further damage. Lack of regular exercise coupled with inadequate intake of protein and vitamins weakens your natural infrastructure and accelerates aging process. “Sitting is the new smoking” is a popular rant among spine patients in western countries.

At home, repeatedly moving heavy furniture or lifting toddlers can cause or worsen backache. Using excessively fluffy mattress and low sofa seating can rob your back of support it needs. Personal habits like smoking, excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption weakens your bones and muscles. Diabetes, obesity and hormonal disorders add fuel to the fire.

Low grade dull aching pain confined to back can often be treated with short course of medication and identification and correction of causative factors. Diet rich in protein and vitamins, daily back exercise, ergonomic modifications and self-education can do wonders to overall well-being of the patient.

However, all backaches are not always innocent.

Red flags such as weight loss, back stiffness, pain that keeps worsening in spite of rest and medication, difficulties to bend and occurrence tingling or numbness indicate that you need prompt attention of an orthopaedic surgeon, and possibly blood tests, X-rays or an MRI of the spine.

Stay Alert and listen to your body!

About the Author

Dr. Manan Gujarathi
Orthopaedic Surgeon
SRV Mamata Hospital