Who knew a sore back could lead to a painful divorce?

The case sheets that lie on Dr G Balamurali’s table are of men who decided to stop having sex, who have quit jobs or moved homes, of women going through divorces and depression. All these cases, he says, could have been cured or avoided with simple lifestyle changes.“Kitchen counters, office chairs and lack of exercise contribute to lower back pain, one of the most common reasons for a hospital visit,” says the senior spine surgeon at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai.“I have had patients who stopped using two-wheelers, men who would lie flat on the floor without pillows, others who stopped having sex, people who have moved or sold houses with staircases, just because of backache,” he says.“The condition, which in nine out of 10 cases requires simple lifestyle changes and exercises, can lead to job loss and serious mental health conditions. It’s more a lack of awareness,” he adds.Among his recent cases, says Dr Balamurali, was a woman in her mid-20s who had severe back pain for more than four years.“She chose alternative medicine, and her therapist told her not to have children. This led to a divorce, and she was later diagnosed with depression,” he says.The woman has now been given regular exercise that strengthens her back and advised an active lifestyle, which appears to be getting her back on track with her life. medium113517878Lower back pain — the pain between the lower edge of the ribs and the buttocks or the lumbar region — affected 619mn people globally in 2020, according to the World Health Organisation. The number is estimated to increase to 843mn cases by 2050.More than 90%, however, suffer from non-specific lower back pain — that cannot be attributed to a particular cause, such as an underlying disease, tissue damage or pathology, says spine surgeon Dr P Keerthivasan.While people who have suffered back injuries due to an accident, diseases such as tuberculosis or have an anatomical change due to disc bulge may require surgery, those with non-specific pain may require a shift to an active lifestyle with exercise and physiotherapy.“Yet, it is a leading cause of disability worldwide,” says Dr Keerthivasan.Lower back pain can affect people of all ages, even children and teenagers, though the highest incidence is observed in those aged 50-55, with women experiencing it more often than men.At least 66% of Indians suffer from mild, acute or chronic lower back pain. “This is higher than the global average of 46%. Several reasons, including genetics such as short stature, environmental conditions such as bad roads, and lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise and smoking, contribute to this,” says Dr Keerthivasan. medium nocaptionhttps://youtu.be/onY5Wn3ZJ5Y?si=1JEmIH9oMSLk-rbsIn India, women are more prone to suffer from back and neck pain because of the nature of domestic chores.Several myths exist about how to manage the pain, say doctors, such as advice to reduce activity and avoid exercise.Orthopaedician Dr S Soma Sekar suggests simple changes that can go a long way. “Petite women can use footstools in the kitchen to avoid straining their backs. Hug and lift heavy objects instead of carrying them in one hand. Sit down and pick up objects from the floor instead of bending,” says Dr Sekar.Chiropractic therapy can sometimes do more harm than good, say doctors.“Patients end up having complications that make them immobile. Besides misdiagnosis, incorrect or excessive manipulation have put patients at risk for serious injuries, such as herniated discs, nerve damage and strokes,” says Dr Madhu Thottappillil, sports medicine specialist with the Chennai Super Kings.Besides misdiagnosis and harmful therapy, there is a risk of overtreatment. Some diagnostic labs include an MRI scan of the spine as part of an annual health check-up.“We end up seeing people without symptoms being treated for disc bulge and other issues. Such types of treatment trigger injuries,” says Dr Balamurali.