2 weeks Ago By Pushpa Narayan
The case sheets that lie on Dr G Balamurali 's table are of men who decided to stop having sex, who've quit jobs or moved homes, and of women going through divorces and depression. All these cases, he says, could have been cured or avoided with simple lifestyle changes . "Kitchen counters, office chairs, and lack of exercise contribute to lower back pain , one of the most common reasons for a hospital visit," says the senior spine surgeon at Kauvery Hospital .
"I've had patients who stopped using two-wheelers, men who would lie flat on the floor without pillows, others who stopped having sex, and people who have moved or sold houses with staircases, just because of backache," he says. "The condition, which in nine out of ten cases requires simple lifestyle changes and exercises, can lead to job loss and serious mental health conditions. It's more a lack of awareness.
" Among his recent cases, says Dr Balamurali, was a woman in her mid-20s who had severe back pain for more than four years. "She chose alternative medicine, and her therapist told her not to have children. This led to a divorce, and she was later diagnosed with depression," he says.
The woman has now been given regular exercise that strengthens her back and advised an active lifestyle, which appears to be getting her back on track with her life. Lower back pain — the pain between the lower edge of the ribs and the buttocks or the lumbar region — affected 619 million people globally in 2020, according to the World Health Organisation. The number is estimated to increase to 843 million cases by 2050.
More than 90%, however, suffer from non-specific lower back pain — that cannot be attributed to a particular cause, such as an underlying disease, tissue damage, or pathology, says spine surgeon Dr P Keerthivasan. While people who have suffered back injuries due to an accident, diseases such as tuberculosis, or have an anatomical change due to disc bulge may require surgery, those with non-specific pain may require a shift to an active lifestyle with exercise and physiotherapy. "Yet, it is a leading cause of disability worldwide," he says.
Lower back pain can affect people of all ages, even children and teenagers, though the highest incidence is observed in those aged 50 to 55, with women experiencing it more often than men. At least 66% of Indians suffer from mild, acute, or chronic lower back pain. "This is higher than the global average of 46%.
Several reasons, including genetics such as short stature, environmental conditions such as bad roads, and lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise and smoking, contribute to this," says Dr Keerthivasan. In India, women are more prone to suffer from back and neck pain because of the nature of domestic chores. Several myths exist about how to manage the pain, say doctors, such as advice to reduce activity and avoid exercises.
Orthopaedician Dr S Soma Sekar suggests simple changes that can go a long way. "Petite women can use footstools in the kitchen to avoid straining their backs. Hug and lift heavy objects instead of carrying them in one hand.
Sit down and pick up objects from the floor instead of bending." Chiropractic therapy can sometimes do more harm than good, say doctors. "Patients end up having complications that make them immobile.
Besides misdiagnosis, incorrect or excessive manipulation has put patients at risk for serious injuries, such as herniated discs, nerve damage, and strokes," says Dr Madhu Thottappillil, sports medicine specialist with Chennai Super Kings. Besides misdiagnosis and harmful therapy, there is a risk of overtreatment. Some diagnostic labs include an MRI scan of the spine as part of an annual health check-up.
"We end up seeing people without symptoms being treated for disc bulge and other issues. Such types of treatment trigger injuries," says Dr Balamurali, who adds that on Sept 21, Kauvery Hospitals plans to host a three-hour session at Anna Library in Chennai on managing back and neck pain to create awareness on rehabilitation and lifestyle changes..
