A new technique to prevent the growth of Arthritis

The problem with Arthritis is that it grows and it becomes irreversible. With the advancement of medical technology, new techniques has emerged recently through which the growth of Arthritis can be checked. Called Biofeedback, this technique includes periodic check up of the body which looks at various factors like bone density, muscle strength, joint stress and bio mechanism of the body. Based on this, one can undertake preventive physiotherapy sessions to decrease the risk of developing arthritis in future.
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Diagnostics which are considered unnecessary by patients are actully a requirement for better treatment modalities

Lot of patients thinks that diagnostics suggested by doctors are unnecessary and not required and done with an agenda of earning out of this exercise. Some doctors may be doing it, but most of the doctors shun this practice as, they know patient's care and trust is above everything. Tests always helps in better diagnosis, on the basis of which we can advise better treatment modalities. Yes, the tests are expensive but these are because the equipment costs are very high and automatically it gets inbuilt in whatever the patient pays. However, we are always careful that there is no unnecessary financial burden on the patients.

Avoid delaying surgery

Many a times in practice one comes across patients who had been advised surgical intervention much before but they keep on delaying/avoiding to a point where their mobility itself is compromised. It is in the said patients interest to get that operation done earlier.Yes,in case you have an apprehension or not sure about the surgeon,you can always seek a second opinion.But if the second opinion concurs, would urge the patients who have been advised surgery,to not delay the surgery as in the long term ,it only harms and does no good.

Perils of skinny jeans

Media is full of articles around how skinny jeans can have harmful impact on our back and spine. Though it is a personal choice to dress in the way one likes, but it is best that one wears clothes which make a person feel comfortable. Many a times, it is seen that in the race of fashion, people dress up in a way that clearly makes them uneasy. High pointed heels is another example of this fad. It is a known fact that if it is worn regularly then it is sure to cause back pain. 

Looking good is always nice, but it does not mean one should dress up in a manner that proves to be unhealthy for our body in the long run.

Hyperlordosis- A postural disorder affecting the spine

Postural disorders are being witnessed widely these days and one such disorder is Hyperlordosis. It is a problem that affects the spine which leads to its curvature. It affects either the lower spine or the cervical (area just below the head). Generally, the reason behind development of the disorder is incorrect posture while sitting or standing, lack of exercises, obesity, muscular ailment which particularly affects the spine. A person suffering from Hyperlordosis looses postural stability and experience pain while walking. Experience any such symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.

Importance of post operative care

Proper Post operative care can radically impact the result of the surgery.Though surgeries are rare these days with most patients getting relief from non invasive surgical techniques itself,there is still a miniscule percentage of patients who need surgery.In such cases,proper rehablitation,taking medicine in the right dosage and the time prescribed,following all other do's and dont's can greatly improve the chances of recovery of the patient.

Many a times once a surgery has taken place,people believe that magic wand has been moved and now they can go back to their old life style.Yes,you can, but you have to give your body proper time to recover and heal.You can not rush into it. And if the lifestyle was faulty,then you must make a sincere effort to alter it.
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Media Coverage of Sunday's free Health Check Up Camp at Naraina Vihar, New Delhi

Sunday's Free Health Check Up Camp at Sanatam Dharam Mandir wasn't just appreciated by people of Naraina Vihar but also by media. Accompanied below are articles that appeared in Nav Bharat Times and Dainik Jagran.

Amazed to see such a phenominal response of people towards our Free Health Check Up Camp held yesterday

Yesterday's Free Health Check up camp held at Sanatan Dharam Mandir, Naraina Vihar was a huge success. Despite heavy rains, large number of people showed up and availed the benefits of free medical consultancy. Shri Rajyavardhan Rathore, I&B Minister came to inaugurate the camp. Sharing below some pictures from the event.

Mind Your Weight and Keep Osteoarthritis Away!

Obesity is generally on a rise among Indians and therefore becoming a  health concern. We all know obese person is always at an increasing risk of developing various other health problems. Among all these problems which is always linked to obesity is Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a joint disorder in which the cartilage or cushion between the joints becomes worn out or damaged, which leads to pain. The primary symptoms to identify Osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in joints especially after waking up in the morning and after resting, weakness in joint muscles, mildly swollen joints, reduced joint movements and cracking sounds from the joints. If any of these symptoms are observed by you, do get yourself examined. Clinical diagnosis of Osteoarthritis involves X-ray and MRI of the affected joint.

Though, the causes behind the occurrence of this ailment may vary from aging to joint injury but in some cases, even genetic factors are involved. But, obesity is undeniably a prominent factor causing Osteoarthritis.

When we talk about obesity, it is a term which is entirely different from being overweight. Obesity is measured in terms BMI which is calculated by square of Height and Weight. When a person’s BMI is more than 30, he/she is considered as obese.

As a person gains weight, an extra amount of pressure falls on his joints. This added pressure leads to weakening of the bones and the surrounding cartilage. That’s not all; it also leads to strain on ligaments and muscles around the affected joints, which in the long run leads to Osteoarthritis. Remember, for each 4-5 kg of increased weight, a minimum of 14 kg of extra pressure is put on joints.

Losing weight is the only way out in order to protect from the dangers of developing Osteoarthritis caused by obesity. Exercising and managing diet is the best way to lose weight. But if you are already suffering from arthritis, the practice of exercising becomes difficult. Due to pain in the joints, one looses the drive to exercise and lose weight. With proper guidance from a trained physiotherapist, an arthritis patient can manage to exercise and lose those extra kilos, without worsening the existing problem.

With reduced weight, the pressure on the joints too will decrease which can help in preventing Osteoarthritis. In addition, muscle strengthening exercises can help strengthening the core muscles, which can further delay the occurrence of Osteoarthritis. But if you are already experiencing the symptoms, then also, these measures can help in coping up with the pain.

Apart from weight reduction and exercising, another important thing that a patient suffering from Osteoarthritis should keep in mind is having medicines prescribed by the doctor diligently. Your doctor may suggest you some pain killers along with calcium and other vitamin supplements in order to maintain the bone strength. Have a healthy and balanced diet. Include milk and milk products, meat, fish etc. in your diet as they are very important for the health of your bones.

In some extreme cases of Osteoarthritis, doctors suggest a joint surgery or joint replacement surgery. This is done as a last measure when all other treatment measures have failed to give relief to the patient. But even at this stage there is nothing to fear as with the advent of advance technology, even surgeries have become extremely safe offering high rate of recovery.

But one line, I always say “Prevention is better than cure”. Osteoarthritis is completely preventable, if you keep your weight in check.

Dr Sudeep Jain

Spine Surgeon

Director

Spine Solutions India

www.spinesolutionsindia.com

jain.sudeep1@gmail.com

Ankylosing Spondilitis:Major reason for back ache among youngsters

One of the commonest reason for back ache among the youngsters but least discussed, is a condition called Ankylosing Spondilitis.In this ,back stiffens making bending an impossible thing.It is more common in women than in men.This is found to be moving from generation to generation.If you are under forty and feel these symptoms,you must consult a Doctor immediately.This is curable with simple exercises and back support but if these don' t work ,plenty of other options including surgery exists.

Why health and health issues not a prime news

How good it would be instead of politics, it is health and health related issues which figures on the front page or dominate the prime news on electronic news.A large mass of Indians remains without even basic health care.Yet it never becomes prime news.Repeatedly surveys show that healthcare needs urgent overhaul but this receives very scant attention.
In advance countries,health is greatest of concern of citizens and governments.But in our country it seems the least of the concerns.It is not that we lack resources,but will or intent to do seems to be lacking.Mind you, health is not just the governments responsibility but civil society too has an important role to play in improving healthcare in the country.
Politicians in any case receive too much of attention,the best way out of this is that we focus on developmental issues.

Need for urgent guidelines for helping accident victims

In our country we are wasting our energy on discussing and arguing on trivial political issue,those issues which seldom have any bearing on our life.Issues of health,safety which have a direct bearing on our life are hardly ever given the kind of importance they are given in the developed world.Just yesterday we discussed about need for drafting guidelines for helping accident victims ,today we have in papers,reports on an incident where a young man has lost life and few others are struggling for survival while being admitted in a spinal injuries hospital.
Such incidents,keep happening with such regularity but some how this is never discussed how to avoid an accident like this and if this happens,what immediate medical care needs to be provided to the victim.
On such important subjects there are no debates,no demonstration.

Urgent need for formulating Standard Operating procedure for handling accident victims

In our country despite lot of efforts by Doctors,government and some NGO's,to a very large extent we have failed in formulating standard operating procedure(SOP) for handling medical emergencies .In context of accident related reporting in the media,it is so common to read 'died on the spot','brought dead',have we ever given a thought to what leads to situation like this.In most of the accident cases,the victims just don't get the crucial medical care,when they require it the most.Generally the passers by are the first one's to offer aid.But despite their best of the intention ,they can not provide the emergency medical needed.Lot of time victim is immobolised because of the spinal injuries and such an injury requires deft handling.This generally does not happen.Sometimes it is seen that injuries suffered in the accident are not as serious but the way they are transported to the nearest healthcare centre,aggravates the problem. It is high time SOP's are evolved and publicised through mass media.

Diet and exercises goes hand in hand in making your back healthy

A right mix of diet and physical activities is essential for a healthy back. Include Calcium and Vitamin D in your diet as they help in maintaining the bone strength. Further indulge in Stretching exercises or Pilates, which strengthens the core back muscles.

Ladies, do you know, how harmful is smoking for you?

Smoking is hazardous for either of the sexes but among women it is more injurious. It is the biggest reason behind the problem of spinal fractures among women, as it leads to decrease in bone density leading to weakening of bones. Ultimately, this reaches the stage of osteoporosis. Ladies there is nothing cool about smoking. Avoid it for your good health.

Follow correct sitting posture to avoid Back Pain

Postural Awareness is very important in order to avoid chronic back pain. While sitting, the back should be straight. Use chair that properly supports your back, especially lower back and thighs. Besides, keep changing your sitting position and take small breaks to walk around. These small tips if followed well, can go a long way in preventing back pain.

Back Pain Exercises which can be done while sitting at your work station

Most cases of back pain today are a result of sedentary lifestyle which includes long and break free sitting in front of computer screens and no physical activities. But by performing the following exercise even at your work station can not only help in preventing the occurrence of back pain but, if you already have it, these exercises can help in reducing pain:

1. While sitting move your head from right to left and vice versa.

2. Rotate your shoulder in upward motion and then again in downward motion.

3. Rotate your elbows clock wise and anti-clock wise.

4. Place your right hand on your left shoulder and keep your elbow parallel to your shoulder and try to move it from right to left. Repeat the same procedure by using your left hand.

Exercises for Cervical Spondylitis Pain

If diagnosed with Cervical Spondylitis, one should start using mattresses that are neither too soft nor too hard. Exercises like rotating one's neck clock wise and anti-clockwise 10-15 times and shoulders from forward to backward in round circular motions can help in improving the condition.

Understand the symptoms of Cervical Spondylitis for timely treatment

Do you feel stiffness and pain in the neck followed by headache and dizziness, then you must get yourself examined, as these might be the initial symptoms of Cervical Spondylitis. If suffering from this disease, generally the patient feels pain in the the neck and shoulder area, especially while rotating the head from left to right. Not just that, due to the pain, one faces problem in walking, sitting and standing. Numbness in legs, hands and arms along with headache which extends upwards are other indications of Cervical Spondylitis. Timely detection and correct treatment can go a long way in curbing this ailment.

Being completely inactive is bad for back pain

If suffering from back pain, the first thing every individual does is to have rest. Rest is good for your body, but being completely inactive can also be bad for your condition.  Being physically active helps in activating body's self healing capacity which helps in improving back pain. Do light exercises or go for a walk, but make sure you don't over do it.

Breathe Easy, Lets Plant Some Trees

We always say, walking is good for your body's overall health, but walking can be more beneficial if done in a clean and green environment. Plant a sapling this World Environment day, and do your bit for the environment.

Reducing weight and being physically fit can help in preventing Lumber Disc Herniation in young age

A common problem found in many young and middle aged people is Lumber Disc Herniation. The lower part of our body carries all our weight, and when there is extra pressure put on it without support of proper nourishment, it increases the risk of disk failure in the lumber area. The best way to prevent occurrence of this problem is by managing one's weight, being physically active and adopting right posture during work and sleep.

Surgery might sound scary but it offers long term relief from the pain

If you are advised surgery for any debilitating back pain which refuses to go, you are well within your rights to seek second opinion. In fact second opinion helps you in getting convinced of the need of the surgery in the first place itself. Though surgery is a last option, it does not necessarily means that there is some direct threat to life. Surgery is generally used to give long term and lasting relief to a patient from a disease whose treatment is no longer possible with just medicines.

Rise in the back problem among the youngsters

Sedentary life style along with bad food habits is leading to rise of hitherto unheard of health problems among youngsters. Hypertension, diabetes is being seen in youngsters below 30. Back pain is also becoming so common. Back muscles lose their agility back of sedentary lifestyle and bad food (junk food) leads to weakening of muscles. All this is leading to onset of back pain in very young age. Youngsters should remember they have to go long and should therefore learn to respect their bodies. Yes body has self healing mechanism, but you have to give these mechanisms a chance to work. Remember your health not only affects you but your family which has done so much for you.They may not show but they get equally affected by your bad health. To do well in any profession, you need to have good healthy body. So don’t do anything at the cost of your health, remember an old adage valid for all times “health is wealth”.

Measures to avoid back pain in pregnancy

Back pain is a very common problem in most pregnant women. A lot of care and precautions needs to be taken in order to prevent its occurrence. Accompanied below is an article of mine that appeared in Woman's Era  which mentions all the necessary measures that a pregnant women should take to avoid back pain.