Know how to attend spinal emergencies to help people at the time of distress

Earthquakes never takes life but the injuries caused during earthquakes do. When an earthquake comes, the rubble from the buildings fall directly on a person's spine causing spinal injuries. Another major reason behind most casualties is lack of knowledge of handling spinal emergencies. People working in the rescue process drag people out, being completely unaware of spinal immobilization in persons resulting in spinal fractures. So, it is extremely important to educate people on how to handle spinal injuries at the time of natural calamities. If this is done right at the school level, we can make our coming generation, a more responsible and a citizen capable enough of helping a fellow citizen in times of distress.

Physiotherapy is the primary and the most reliable way to treat back pain

So far, we have talked about non invasive and invasive surgical techniques for relieving back pain. But, physiotherapy remains the primary treatment for relieving back pain. Where, it has no side effects, it helps majority of the patients in relieving them of their back pain or bringing it to level where it becomes bearable. Good physiotherapist along with the right equipment is a must and if your doctor prescribes you regular physiotherapy session, please do it and follow his advice diligently. 

Keep a check on your weight, to avoid back related problems

Obesity generally caused by bad lifestyle, is one of the primary cause of most back problems. Osteoarthritis which is a major spinal problem is commonly found to be afflicting obese people. Remember, obesity is the starting point of back related problems.

Occurrence of Lower Back Pain can be Prevented by opting a Healthier and Disciplined Lifestyle

Oh Doctor! I'm suffering from lower back pain. This problem has become so common here, with almost 1/3rd youngsters complaining about it. The primary causes are Sedentary Lifestyle, Wrong Postures and Unhealthy Diet comprising of Pizza, Burger etc. It is evident, if we can prevent occurrence of these causes which is easily doable, much of the back pain felt by the youngsters can be prevented. Remember, as always prevention is better than cure.

Cervical Spondylitis: A growing cause of concern for people under the age of 40

Just as we had always been saying about back and neck pain, only difference is that it has found endorsement from HT.

Correct postures if followed while driving can help preventing back problems in the long run

Driving has become an intrinsic part of our everyday life. But, driving at a long stretch, in the long run can lead to various health problems specially, back related problems. There are ways out to overcome it, same is what I've said in an article carried in Business Standard.

Prolonged wearing of high heels can cause array of spinal ailments

Most women love to flaunt their branded high heels in every occasion, may it be parties, family functions, official events etc. But in their adornment for high heels, they forget how continuous wearing of heels can harm their spinal structure leading to a number of ailments. When one wear heels, the foot slides in an unnatural shape which causes the weight to fall directly on the toes. In order to compensate that weight, the person leans backward, thus disturbing the overall posture. Continued wearing of high heels can also damages the leg tendons and cause muscle spasm; which in the long run can take the shape of injured leg muscles, sciatica, osteoarthritis of knees, low back pain etc.

 
Wear heels but remember not to wear them for long duration. Also, avoid wearing heels higher than 2 inches and with hard soles.

Excess workout can be harmful for your body especially your spine

Many a times, people in an hurried attempt to lose weight start doing rigorous workout for long durations. But, in a number of cases, such practice does more harm than good. Working out for too long or doing wrong exercises, not just put excessive strain on joints, but can also cause several spinal problems and back pain, that would ultimately lead you to seeking consultation from doctor. So, always remember, working out is important but one should be careful about the kind of exercises and for the period one does it.

Watch your weight, remember obesity is a major cause of back problems!

Given changing lifestyle Obesity is on the rise among the people which in turn, causes host of other diseases. Major health issue springing from obesity is back ache. What obesity does is that, in simple words, it weakens our back muscles which causes back ache. Further, it affects the body posture which in turn leads to more back problems. All in all, it is a starting point of health complications but with a bit of "life style management" can be easily tackled. Remember not being overtly overweight is the first step towards preventing back ache.

Non invasive techniques of treating Slip Disc have now become extremely safe, effective and offers quick recovery

Slip Disc is getting as common as common cold. But severity of the problem differs from person to person. Some get well from the little rest, primary physiotherapy and traction exercises. But in some, the primary and secondary (medicine) both fail and the person continues to suffer from severe back pain which extends up to legs. In such situation, it is best to undertake surgical intervention. Now, surgical intervention does not necessarily mean big cut surgery. There are certain non invasive techniques, if used in effectively can give a patient quick and speedy recovery. Most of the these techniques are extremely safe, effective and give the patient quick recovery. 

Running in the morning is extremely good for your health but for your back health, try running on soft grounds

A healthy morning run is a perfect way to kick start your day. But while doing so, just remember that it is always better to run on sand or soft ground rather than hard cemented surfaces. Running on a hard surface exerts pressure on joints and ligaments which can lead to back pain or other problems. Whereas, if you run on a soft ground, no such strain is put on your joints and your run will affect you only in the healthy way!

Intake of Vitamin B12 in your diet can help keeping your spine healthy!

Health of our spine depends on the health of our bones. Importance of Calcium in keeping our bones healthy is fairly well known. But there are other nutrients like Vitamin B12 which are if not more, but equally important. Dairy products like milk, curd, cheese, eggs, meat and fish, are a rich source of Vitamin B12 and are a must in our everyday diet.

IIT Delhi students to come up with a new technology on inter vertebral disc tissue engineering

Technology has come a long way. Dear friends sharing with you all, an article published in Times Of India according to which IIT Delhi students are working on inter vertebral disc tissue engineering technique which could help millions of people suffering from back pain due to inter vertebral disc degeneration.Wish they could share information with spine surgeons like us.

Know more about Osteoporosis, its causes and treatment in my article in The Hindu MetroPlus

Osteoporosis is a serious bone disorder that affects a number of people today, especially women. The main reason behind it is weakening of bones over time. Here is an article of mine that appeared in today's Hindu Metro Plus, explaining the causes of Osteoporosis and ways to treat it.

Adequate amount of Calcium and Vitamin D given in the growing age, can prevent bone related problems in later stages of life

Growing age is the time when a child's body has the highest requirement of nutrients like calcium and Vitamin D for their bone development. Bone strength developed during this phase of life goes a long way in keeping problems like osteoporosis, arthritis etc away in the later stages of life too. So feed your kids with calcium rich food like milk, eggs, curd etc and also make sure that they get enough of sunlight too to meet their body's Vitamin D requirement.

Heavy School Bags can have a damaging affect on your child's spine!

 

Back pain no more remains a problem that affects only adults and elderly. These days, even small children are found to be having different back problems ranging from injuries to strain etc. The major reason behind is the big bag that little children carry on their backs to school everyday.These bags are usually overloaded and put a great amount of pressure on shoulders and spine of kids leading to a number of back problems. It is essential for parents to check the number of books and items their kids take to school so they don't carry unnecessary weight. Using good, light and supportive bags with wide straps, which helps in distributing weight can be very beneficial.

Know how to attend a Spinal emergency

Cases of Spinal emergencies are rapidly increasing. The reasons may vary from road accidents, to accidents at construction sites, etc. Remember, how quickly and properly the victim is attended determines his/her ultimate chance of survival. Many a times, people are not aware of how to attend to these emergencies. My article on the same theme appeared in Sunday's edition of Rajasthhan Patrika. Would request my friend to share this, as this way we can do great public services as a subject like this needs a lot of general awareness.

Vitamin D is needed for Calcium absorbtion in our body

There is a misconception among lot of people that just by having calcium they will have stronger bones. But the fact is calcium alone is not enough as, our body requires good amount of Vitamin D for calcium absorption. Calcium and Vitamin D together is needed by our body in order to prevent bone related ailments like Osteoporosis, Osteo Arthritis, etc. The best way to get the perfect dose of Vitamin D for calcium absorption is sunlight.

When medicines don't work, surgery is the best option

Lots of wrong notions are being spread these days about curing all the patients with back problems like slip disc without surgery. Please keep in mind, in 99% cases, surgery is not required but in 1% case, when the problem is untreatable without surgery, it is advisable to get it done rather than living in pain. Such patients also need not worry as today with precise surgical methods, the problem can be treated very safely.

The way you sleep affects your back!

People generally hit the bed without paying much attention to the way they sleep. It may be comfortable initially, but sleeping in the wrong position the whole night can invite a number of posture-related backaches and neck problems.

People often complain that they experience stiffness and pain in their neck or back when they wake up in morning. This is due to sleeping in the wrong posture at night. We all know the importance of good posture, but it is not limited only to sitting or standing. Maintaining the correct posture is essential even while sleeping, and failure to do so can lead to a number of back ailments.

One common but extremely harmful position is sleeping on the stomach. Though it is the preferred position for many people, it can be really harmful to the spine, causing both immediate pain and long term damage. Sleeping on the stomach directs a large part of the body's weight to the middle portion of the body. As a result, the body is unable to maintain the natural curve of the spine and staying in this position overnight puts a lot of strain on the backbone and the back muscles. While sleeping in this position, the person tends to tilt their head in one direction or the other. This puts a lot of stress on the neck, resulting in stiffness and sharp pains in the neck.

Another bad position is the foetal position, where the person curls up into a ball with their knees drawn up and their chin tilted downwards. This posture also puts a lot of pressure on the spine and leads to a number of back and neck problems.

Incorrect sleeping postures can cause complications that go beyond back problems. The spine consists of numerous nerves that go to different parts of the body. Any stress on the spine also affects these nerves and can lead to various problems in other parts of the body too. For instance, people sometimes experience tingling or numbness in some parts of the body while the rest of the body is fine.

That is not all. Discomfort in the night causes the person to wake up again and again. As a result, the body and mind are both deprived of sufficient rest. When it happens repeatedly, the overall health and physical capabilities of the person also deteriorate.

The best way to prevent all these problems is to sleep in the right position, which not only gives the body the rest it needs but also keeps the spine healthy. The best position to sleep in comfortably is sleeping on your back with your arms at your side. This posture maintains the alignment of the spine perfectly. However, you should avoid using pillows that are very thick, even while sleeping in this position. Sleeping on your side is another good option. In this posture too, the natural curve of spine is maintained and thus, the back stays aligned and fit.

Posture plays a crucial role in maintaining back health, be it while sitting, standing or sleeping. Ignoring the way we position our bodies is a major cause for back ailments. It leads to severe spinal problems either immediately or gradually.

Resting is OK, but Exercise is a must for quick rehabilitation from Back Pain

It is often noticed when people have back ache, they either lie in bed for rest or stop strenuous physical activities. Though, it is right to certain extent as resting in the initial days can help in the recovery process. But after first few days, resting rather slowers the healing process. So, it is best that one continues with light back exercises for quicker rehabilitation.

Warm up is a must before playing!

For people indulged in sports, never start playing without proper warm-up. It is a sure shot way of developing back ache.

Stem Cell Therapy, a hope for untreatable Spinal disease

Stem Cell Therapy, though has its own share of controversy, is the last option left for a treating doctor when confronted with untreatable spinal disease. No doctor would want his patient to suffer and would do all he can to cure the patient from pain and give long term relief.

A disciplined lifestyle is the key to a Healthy Living!

Our lifestyle and right posture plays a very important role in our spinal health. Following a disciplined lifestyle can do wonders to the health. Maintain good posture at work and sleep, indulge in physical exercises or yoga as a part of your daily routine.
 

Stay Fit, Stay Healthy!!

Incorrect bending may cause Slip Disc

Awkward bending is a leading reason behind the increasing cases of slip disc. Often in a hurry, we bend in an incorrect way which strains our lower back, resulting in the disc to slip out of place. So, the best way to avoid any such incident is by maintaining a correct posture while bending.

Spinal Problems are not constrained to elderly only, youngsters are equally prone to back problems

It is a general presumption that spinal problems are common in older age. But, on contrary, problems like slip disc are much more common in younger age group, mainly due to poor lifestyle. A number of youngsters suffer from back problems of varying degree of seriousness. So, it is essential for people of every age group to be very careful about their back health.

Even a slight discomfort can be a sign of severe spinal problem!

Spinal problems like slip disc are of very serious nature. But many a times, they go unidentified for a long time which consequently leads to delayed treatment. It is extremely important to know that our spine is a very delicate part of our body consisting of a number of joints and nerves. So, even the slightest discomfort or pain must be taken seriously.