The right back-ing

Holistic approach to spinal problems,correct posture and changes in one's lifestyle can prevent or successfully treat backaches.

One of the most common ailments prevalent in today’s society the ‘backache’. It is a significant cause of discomfort for four out of five people. Back pain can be due to conditions like disc prolapse,infection and tumours amongst other causes. Majority of back pains are related to our lifestyle and posture,and can be prevented. The number of people who require surgery is relatively low,” says Dr Narendra Vaidya,trustee at Lokmanya Hospital,Nigdi.

A Zero Backache Programme at the hospital recently completed 13 years at the spine care unit. We were able to help more than 40,000 people, claims Vaidya,whose team of doctors visited the patients – mainly in the industrial township of Pimpri and Chinchwad to check their work stations. Early detection is crucial in the management of backache, he says.

A holistic approach to spinal problems incorporating the spinal surgeon,neurosurgeon,neurologist,physiotherapist,Ayurvedic consultant and yoga instructor has helped achieve results in majority of patients without surgery. He says that every person is different and treatment or preventive programmes for back pain also have to be tailor-made to fit them.

It was in 1998 that the hospital started a super specialty spine care unit in collaboration with Rhyov Hospital Jonkoping,Sweden,under the leadership of Vaidya. Ultra modern procedures like Laser surgeries,Microlumbar discectomy,Vertebroplasty,Cervical and lumbar fusion of vertebra,Nucleoplasty,Cervical disc replacement are performed. Spine surgeon Dr Amit Kulkarni explains,Common causes of backache are sedentary lifestyle,lack of exercises,vitamin and nutrient deficiencies,poor posture at work and not maintaining good ergonomics at computer work stations. He adds that backaches are also caused due to stress at work,anxiety and depression,obesity and smoking. Strenuous physical work especially if not done correctly also leads to back problems. Spine inflammation is also common amongst pregnant women, he adds.

Structural problems such as ruptured discs,bulging discs,sciatica – a sharp and shooting pain that travels through the buttock and down the back of the leg caused by a bulging or herniated disc pressing on a nerve,arthritis,abnormal curvature of the spine,osteoporosis and a bad mattress that does not allow support to specific parts of the body and keep the spine straight,could land one in great risk of developing a backache. According to experts,deficiency of calcium,other mineral and vitamins like B and D are also contributing causes of spinal pain.

Application of heat,ice,ultrasound and electrical stimulation help in reducing the pain. Muscle release techniques to the back muscles and soft tissues may help lighten the pain. As the pain alleviates flexibility and strength exercises for the back and abdomen muscles normalise the function of the back and neck muscles.

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