Back Pain
Lower, upper or mid back pain is seen in all age groups, from the age of 13 onwards. Causes could range from poor posture, excessive stress,strain, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle, to sleeping disorders,poor diet, etc.
People with demanding lifestyles should maintain a balanced diet and proper seated posture (straight backed chairs with a short base, so back rests flat against the back of the chair and the feet are on the ground). It is important to get up and walk every 20 minutes or at the least to get up and sit down again. Avoid crossing the legs, and cut out any strenuous exercise until the pain and discomfort are minimized.
Obesity plays a major role, but losing weight rapidly could cause more discomfort. Weight loss is a science and must be done gradually. Take the advice of a trained nutritionist.
Today, many offices have in-house gyms and fitness centers. It is necessary to assess one’s state of physical fitness and flexibility before using the machines, doing aerobics, etc.
In Week 1, begin with a relaxed walk for 20 minutes and increase the pace and the time gradually over the next four weeks.
Swimming is strongly advised in week 2, with mild free-style stretches. If obesity and age are major concerns, then stretches may be carried out on the bed.
After week 4, use the services of a trained physical fitness professional and seek the advice of a dietician for a good, balanced diet.
In any competent business, large or small, workers are the most valuable asset. Back disorders are the most common form of ill health that affect the workforce.
A slipped disc is a disc that extrudes into the spinal canal. It is also referred to as a bulging or ruptured disc. As a disc degenerates, it can get herniated. In other words, the inner core extrudes back into the spinal canal, as shown in this picture on the left. The light blue oval area is the disc, which is bulging into the spinal canal on the lower right side of the disc. In the lumbar area, this can cause pain to radiate all the way down the patient's leg to the foot. In the area of the cervical spine, the pain would radiate from the neck, down the arm to the fingers.
Approximately 90% of disc herniations will occur at L4- L5 (lumbar segments 4 and 5) or L5- S1 (lumbar segment 5 and sacral segment1), which causes pain in the L5 nerve or S1 nerve, respectively.
Open back surgery is the generally recommended treatment. This carries high risks, hospital stays, and lengthy recuperation.
Dr. Sarvotham’s acupressure treatment can provide good relief, while obviating the inconvenience and expense of surgery.