Question & Answers on Backache

Q: WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF BACKACHE?

Our modern lifestyle is one of the main reasons for backache and neckache . Prolonged sitting, poor posture, air and car travel , and many hours in front of the computer can all cause backache. Many of us exercise irregularly without proper warming up and stretching. This can also lead to increased wear and tear in the spine and cause backache. Obesity also increases stress on the spine. Osteoporosis is a cause in older people.

Q: HOW CAN I PREVENT BACKACHE OR BACK PAIN.

§ PROPER POSTURE
Maintain a proper posture in performing day to day activites.

§ ERGONOMICS
This is especially important in the work place. If you sit for long periods of time, you need to make sure your chair has a proper lumbar support. You should get up every 30 minutes, and stretch before resuming your work.
Learn to lift objects correctly.

§ EXERCISING INTELLIGENTLY
Exercising irregularly and without proper warm-up can put a lot of stress on your spine muscles.
Jogging or aerobics on a hard ground (high-impact activities) without proper shoes is also stressful to the spine. Remember there is an equal upward thrust on your spine for every downward step.

§ MUSCLE RELAXATION
Hot packs , a warm shower, soaking in a warm bath can help relax your back muscles.


WHEN DO YOU NEED TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR BACKACHE ?

§ When your backache or back pain is persistent
§ When you have pain down your legs
§ When you have pain or loss of sensation in your leg or foot
§ When you experience “pins and needles” down your leg or foot
§ When you have weakness in the leg and foot, and have difficulty in walking
§ When you start developing problems with your bladder and bowel

We recommend that all patients with the above symptoms consult a NeuroSpine Specialist for a thorough neurological evaluation and an MRI scan of the lumbar-sacral spine before embarking on any therapy The neurological evaluation will include an assessment of sensation, strength and reflexes. X-rays or CT-scans alone may be inadequate as they cannot show spinal cord or nerve compression. A neurospine specialist can then recommend the various options for treatment depending on the severity of the disc disease and degree of any nerve compression.


WHEN DOES SURGICAL INTERVENTION BECOME NECESSARY?

Surgical intervention, such as microsurgery/micro-endosocpic surgery/endoscopic surgery becomes necessary when pain is not relieved by conservative (non-surgical) treatment or when there are neurological deficits such as weakness in the foot or leg. This is associated with the MRI showing moderate to severe nerve impingement that may be caused by a degenerated /prolapsed disc/discs, thickened ligaments, and overgrowth of bone.
The decision for surgery should be made by you and your neurosurgeon. New and advanced technology is available for the replacement of discs-Artificial Disc replacement, but there is no technology available to replace or repair damaged nerves in the spine. We therefore advise patients not to not wait until their nerves are permanently damaged.
After a microsurgical intervention, patients will still need to be put through a proper and organized spine therapy program such as aquatherapy (www.aquaphysio.com for info). This is for long term spine strengthening and preventing relapses.