Wrong Posture and Back Pain

Sudden back pain is generally an outcome of Wrong Posture while sitting, standing, sleeping or while lifting things up. This pain usually subsides with small precautions undertaken for a period of 10-15 days. But if it doesn't and one continues to follow wrong posture, it can lead to Spinal Disc Prolapse. This problem which is currently seen in a lot of young patients can in future take the form of SpinalArthritis.

Understanding spinal problem called Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition where a bone in the spine slips forward from its actual position and falls over the bone/vertebra below it. This problem is generally found in the lower back area leading to weakening of ligaments and joints, which play a major role in keeping the spinal cord aligned. In rare cases, this can also cause compression of nerve roots. The most primary symptom to identify Spondylolisthesis is back pain along with numbness or weakness felt in one or both the legs. 

Reduce the load of the school bag

We talk of big things like political reforms,economic reform and sundry other reform.But we hardly pay any attention to as basic a thing as the weight of the school bag which young students carry on their tender shoulders. In fact incidence of back pain in school going students has gone up and primary reason behind this is the heavy weight of school bags that they carry. Various studies have shown carrying a school bag that weighs 10% more than the child’s body weight causes pain in the lower back. Back pain in school going kids students should not be ignored as it can lead to permanent deformity of spine.

Spinal Trauma

  

Anybody who suffers spinal injuries, the first few hours is very critical. The person’s chances of recovery depend on how soon and how well the person is rushed to the nearest health center. Many a times, the injury itself has not caused as much harm as caused by the way a person is lifted and taken to the hospital. At least 5-6 people should lift the person and place him on a hard board. At no point the head should be moved. If such a procedure is followed, there are far better chances of a patient recovering.

Excess use of phone/ tabs affects your Spine

Excess use of phone and tabs affects our posture and body mechanics in an unhealthy way. People use phone generally in sitting position, leaning over a table or slumped back in a chair, such a posture affects the shape of your spine and leads to back and neck  pain. Also, while talking on the phone very often we tilt our head and hold the phone over our shoulders which again affects the neck region adversely. For good spinal health avoid these.

Excessive weight can lead to sciatica

People with overweight are at higher risk for back pain, joint pain and other problems than those who are not obese because every pound of your body adds strain to the muscles and ligaments. In many cases, the overweight patients can experience sciatica and low back pain from a herniated disc. This is the result of damaged discs and others spinal structures in order to compensate the pressure of heavy weight on the back. So ladies, now you have one more and serious reason to lose weight.

Cigarette can damage Spine

Everybody knows that ‪smoking‬ is a health hazard, but people aren’t aware about the fact that smoking accelerate ‪Degenerative Disc Diseases‬ as well. Smokers are more prone to ‪backaches‬ and other ‪Spinal Problems‬ because ‎cigarette‬ contain ‪nicotine‬ that hardens the arteries, which further restricts the flow of blood to the discs that cushion your vertebrae. 

Spinal Arthritis- Most common form of Arthritis

The most common reasons behind continued back pain is Spinal Arthritis. It is also the most common form of arthritis. In this, the vertebrae or the facet joints gets inflammed and witnesses degeneration of the joints creating pain. Due to this problem, a person ability or flexibility to bend decreases. 

 Generally, the back pain increases after waking up in the morning. So, if you experience these symptoms, don't ignore them and visit a doctor.

Perform strength training exercises to prevent back pain

Strength training exercises can be really effective in preventing back pain. These exercises strengthens the core muscles and helps them regaining the strength to carry out day to day activities. Squats are one the most easiest and effective strength training exercise. But make sure you do warm up exercises before starting up with any other exercise.

Stress and Back Pain are inter-related

For anyone who has been experiencing back pain knows how it affects his/her day to day life and often leads to situations like stress, anxiety, depression etc. But, do you know that it can be the other way round too? 

Researches have proven that in many cases, stress or depression too can cause back pain. When the stress level increases, the secretion of stress hormones too increases which leads to pressure on our muscles, causing muscle spasms and back pain like conditions.

Obesity and smoking are extremely hazardous for your back health

If you are obese and smoke,you are a sure shot case for #backpain.Numerous researches have been done and all of these have come to the conclusion that such a person is a high risk person in terms of life style diseases. Smoking and obesity are independent risk, even after providing for factors such as age, education, exercise level, and employment status.If you belong to this category,do whatever it takes to give up smoking and reduce weight.

Avoid these sitting mistakes in office, to avoid back pain

A common mistake that most office goers make while working in their offices is either sitting tad too straight or in a bending position. Both these postures are bad for our back health and often result in lower or upper back pain. Choosing a correct chair that properly supports your back is of extreme importance in order to avoid conditions that lead to backache. Sit back comfortably and make sure that the height of the chair that you are sitting on, is properly adjusted so that your feet lie parallel to the ground.

Correct posture for sleeping

We all know know the importance of sleep in keeping us fit and healthy.But we forget how important a role sleeping in the right posture plays.Wrong sleeping posture can lead to neck,back pain and can cause stomach troubles too.It is said that eighty percent of the back pain is either caused by wrong sleeping posture or gets aggravated because of it.

Best sleeping pose

Now the question arises is what is the best sleeping posture. Scientifically it is considered the best sleeping posture is to sleep on the back as it keep head,neck,spine in a linear position and thus avoid pressure on your back.It also helps in better digestion.

The other posture is to sleep like star fish.
Second best sleeping posture is to sleep on the sides.It has several benefits as it is comfortable for pregnant women,sleep apnea patients as this keeps spine in elongated position.The only flip side is that it may lead to premature wrinkles on the face as pressure builds up on the face.
The worst is to sleep on stomach as it is contrary to natural shape of the spine and its puts pressure on joints and muscles which leads to pain. 
‪

Don't ignore redness, pain, swelling in your joints: It can be Ankylosing Spondylitis

Are you experiencing sudden stiffness in your spine, and pain, redness, swelling in your joints, shoulders, hips, ribs and small joints of the hands and feet? Inflammation might be its cause. You should consult a doctor immediately as it might be Ankylosing spondylitis.

Inflammation in the spine is rare but can be a significant source of pain and disability.  One such type of inflammation is called Ankylosing spondylitis which involves inflammation in the areas where soft tissue attaches to bone. Beginning in the lower back and the joint between the spine and the pelvis, the inflammation causes some of the tissue to erode, that can lead to severe pain and discomfort. In some cases, this inflammation can lead to the formation of a new bone on the spine, causing the spine to fuse in a fixed, immobile position, sometimes creating a forward-leaning posture. 

Diagnosis of inflammatory disorders of the spine often begins with a full physical examination and blood tests that can identify an infection or detect the presence of inflammation. X-rays also are used to visualize the changes in the spine and identify bony growths. Finally, patients with ankylosing spondylitis may undergo genetic testing.

Ankylosing  spondylitis is believed to be genetically inherited, and a majority (nearly 90%) of people suffering from this are born with a gene known as the HLA-B27 gene..

People suffering from this, will experience slow-onset back pain, but it may come and go. This pain usually is more severe at night and is associated with stiffness in the morning.

Ankylosing spondylitis also causes a stiff, stooped posture and the pain, swelling and stiffness may move to other joints and other areas of the body such as the shoulders, hips, ribs, heels and small joints of the hands and feet. The heart, lungs, and eyes may also get affected.

Currently, there is no known cure for Ankylosing spondylitis, but there are treatments and medications available to reduce symptoms and manage the pain. Recent studies show that the new biologic medications can potentially slow or halt the disease progression in some people.