While 80% of people experience at least one episode of backache in their lifetime, the good news is that 95% of them settle down. However, it needs keeping good health, proper weight, correct posture and adequate exercise to keep back pain away. Medication and physiotherapy can relieve most cases of back pain.
When to take backache and neck pain seriously and seek an expert opinion:
- Pain persisting for more than 3 weeks or recurring every other month
- Initial severe back pain/neck pain and stiffness restricting mobility
- Numbness or loss of sensations in arms or legs
- The weakness of hand and foot – objects falling off-hand/slipping slippers
- Any difficulty in passing or control over urine and stool
- Important to remember: backache can be due to non-spinal causes also. Always seek an expert spine specialist if symptoms persist
Dos and don’ts if one is prone to backache or not:
While it’s essential to seek expert opinion for spine problems, certain measures can prevent or relieve back pain.
- Never bend forward to pick weight or objects. Bend on your knees and pick, keeping the spine straight
- Not to sit for long hours. Take small breaks every hour and get up to walk for a few minutes
- While sitting have your back supported, if needed keep a cushion
- Avoid slouching in sofa for long hours
- While driving keep close to the steering, so that you move your knees to press the clutch or brake and not strain your back
- Use 30-degree desktop slant if you are reading or writing for long hours
- Prefer to use desktop over the laptop in the office and keep it in front
- If using the laptop for long hours, use slanted stands. The top of your laptop should be at the level of the top of your head
Prof. (Dr.) Deepu Banerji, is a Senior Consultant & Director Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery at Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Gurugram
