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Dr Mukesh Batra gives you an upfront look at back ache and how to beat it
It is not surprising that backache is responsible for 24 per cent cases of absenteeism at work. In this modern world, which encourages a cushy life with long hours of sitting, sleeping on foam mattresses and lack of exercise, backaches are as common as a cold or a headache.
Interestingly only human beings suffer from backaches and the complaint increases with increasing modernization. This is primarily due to modern lifestyle which involves sitting in a particular posture for long stretches of time, absence of exercise, sleeping on soft surfaces like foam mattresses.
Backache is commonly seen in disorders like spondylosis, disc prolapse, congenital abnormalities and trauma. There are however at least 20 varieties of diseases which can manifest as backache. Whatever the cause of your backache there are measures you can take to ease the pain. The easiest thing to do is apply local heat by means of a hot water bottle. There are some general precautions, which those suffering from backache need to follow.
The best way to prevent common back problems is to stay fit and active. Staying active will also help control your weight which is one of the primary reasons of back pain. The easiest way to ease your back pain is by applying local heat by means of a hot water bottle. While lifting heavy objects keep your back straight. Poor lifting technique is a major cause of back strain and injury. Injuries are less likely if you are fit and have strong back, stomach and leg muscles.
Here is the correct lifting technique:
- Make a firm base with the feet, keeping them about shoulder width apart.
- Lift with the legs, bending the knees rather than the back
- Do not kneel or over-bend the knees
- Keep the chin held in and raised as this helps keep the back straight
- Ensure the load is as close to the body as possible
- Keep the arms and elbows tucked in close to the body
- Do not twist the back but change direction by moving the feet
Other precautions to be taken during your day-to-day life are
- Avoid high heels.
- Do not sleep in your chair.
- Use a cushion to support the small of your back
- Use a hard bed.
These precautions provide relief from the pain and in combination with constitutional homeopathic medication; they provide a complete solution to the problem. The homeopathic medicines are prescribed to deal with the underlying disease condition, which causes the backache thus giving a chance to the patient to lead a much more comfortable and productive life.
