Global Health Asia-Pacific July 2020 July 2020 | Page 13

You Ask, They Answer
Q
: What is causing my back pain?
A
: Lower back pain often occurs without a single
contributing factor and is commonly the result of
muscle and ligament strains caused by repeated heavy lifting
or a poor posture.
Even children can develop back pain, though it’s most
commonly first encountered in the thirties and forties among
people who carry excess weight and don’t exercise enough,
leading to weak muscles in the lumbar area.
People prone to depression and anxiety have also
been linked to a greater risk of back pain. Smokers
too are susceptible as tobacco reduces both blood
flow and the delivery of nutrients to the lower spine
and disks in the back.
Back pain rarely requires surgery and can usually
be relieved through simple outpatient treatment.
This is good news for sufferers because it’s one of
the main causes of disability and work absenteeism
worldwide.
People in labour-intensive jobs should always make sure
they’re employing the correct technique for heavy lifting.
Office workers should use ergonomically designed furniture
and stretch their legs away from their desks. Athletes should
pay attention to injuries and have them treated as a matter of
urgency.
Q
: What medical conditions are associated with back
pain?
A
: Other conditions can come into play with back pain, so
it’s important to see a doctor if the symptoms persist for
an unduly long period of time.
For example, it might be caused by a bulging or ruptured
Office workers
should use
ergonomically
designed
furniture and
stretch their legs
away from their
desks
disk in the back. This will be picked up through a spine x-ray.
Osteoarthritis can also affect the lower back. In some cases,
arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space
around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
Scoliosis, a condition in which the spine curves to the side,
can lead to back pain, but generally not until middle age. And
osteoporosis, usually encountered in post-menopausal women,
can lead to the spine’s vertebrae developing compression
fractures as bones become porous and brittle.
Q
: How can it be prevented?
A
:
Patients can take a wide range of lifestyle
measures to prevent back pain, but when
it strikes, it will often heal within a matter of weeks
or months.
Regular low-impact exercise that doesn’t strain
or jolt the back, like walking and swimming, can
increase strength and endurance and allow muscles
to function better.
Abdominal exercises that strengthen the core help
condition muscles to work together to protect the back. A
physiotherapist can explain how flexibility in the hips and
upper legs aligns the pelvic bones to improve back strength.
Because being overweight can put strain on the back
muscles, it’s important to trim down and maintain an
appropriate weight to prevent back pain. Smokers should quit
because not only does smoking reduce blood flow, it can also
slow down healing.
Dr Hayden Pooke
Dr Hayden Pooke is a spine and joint specialist in Kuala
Lumpur.
GlobalHealthAndTravel.com
JULY 2020
11