At hypermarkets you can see people, young and old, bending their backs instead of their knees when lifting heavy groceries. White collar workers sit in front of their computers for long hours and after a long and exhaustive day at the office, many return home to fall asleep on the sofa, watching TV.

Four out of five people worldwide suffer from back pain at least once in their lifetime. The increasing number of advertisements for pills, patches, balms and other remedies – to 'soothe' your back – is testimony that backache is on the rise.

Understanding the Spine

The spine (some call it the ‘backbone’, others, the vertebral column) is a chain of vertebra that supports the thorax and abdomen. It is divided into three main parts – the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines.  The cervical spine comprises seven vertebrae that connect the skull to the backbone. It also builds the structure of the neck and allows the neck a limited degree of rotation. The thoracic section of the spine has the most number of vertebra – 12 of them. This part is located at chest level and is attached to the ribs, which protect the heart and lungs.

The lumbar spine, connected to the pelvis, normally has five to six vertebrae. This part of the spine bears the bulk of the bodyweight and is the largest and strongest part of the spine. Together, the vertebrae play a major function in protecting the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nerve tissues and support cells that connect to the brain, creating the body’s central nervous system.

The spine’s other functions include allowing flexibility for the body and movement of the limbs, supporting the body frame in an upright position and distributing the body’s weight while walking or standing.

Low Back Pain

Most low back pain (LBP) problems are muscular in origin. The body needs strong muscles to ensure that it has the correct posture. However, for various reasons this does not always happen. Around the world, changing lifestyle patterns affect human health and back pain is a common outcome.

In developed and developing nations, people devote themselves to working longer hours. It has been verified that individuals working at deskbound or labor-oriented jobs are vulnerable to a higher risk of LBP.

Dr Barry Kluner, a chiropractor from Canada says, "Many LBP cases are improperly diagnosed, neglected or mistreated, leading to recurring problems."  

It is important to know that each time LBP recurs, the severity of damage will increase. Thus a ‘simple’ muscular pain may end up as degenerative osteoarthritis (OA), spinal disc problems or nerve compression.

"Back pain can occur at any age and is more prevalent in teenagers and children than ever before," says Dr Kluner, who has been practicing in Malaysia since 2001.

Addressing LBP

When asked about treating LBP, Dr Kluner said that bed rest, pain killers, muscle relaxants, spinal manipulation, physiotherapy, exercise activity and massage are the most common ways that back pain sufferers manage their symptoms. However, none of these treatments can be effective until the exact source of back pain is diagnosed properly and people will only end up ‘guestimating’ the root cause of their problem.

He also said, "Most back problems, if muscular in origin, should disappear over a few weeks if correctly diagnosed. If there is acute pain, it may take longer. Determining the exact source of the condition, choosing an effective treatment option and educating patients on how to avoid LBP are essential for a healthy spine."

Orthotics

Most activities like working, eating and watching TV are done in a sitting position. Having the right posture during these activities is very important to avoid LBP or any other kind of back pain. Using a support that eliminates a posterior pelvic tilt can help significantly to reduce postural imbalance at its source and may help to reduce LBP risks.

BackJoy Orthotics from the United States recently launched its portable back orthotic product at the 14th South East Asian Medical and Pharma Show 2011 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.  The manufacturers claim that sitting on BackJoy will maintain proper spinal alignment and provide a natural and balanced posture, thus eliminating unnatural pressures and strains that may cause LBP without the use of pills or prescriptions.

According to Bing Howestein, Backjoy Orthotics director, "BackJoy works hand in hand with your body to create a continual self perpetuating system". The product may be used by any age group. This device is available at Vita Care pharmacies and Babyland stores and will be made available at other healthcare outlets soon.

Awareness Is the Key

In the United States, health care costs attributed to LBP are estimated to be US$30 million (RM90.23 million) annually. Loss of work time, reduced productivity and limitation of daily activities are some of LBP’s negative contributions to companies and organizations, since they will not be able to optimize the use of their employees. On the other hand, Malaysians must start realizing that the importance of keeping their spine healthy lies with themselves.

Like any other health problem, the best way to cure back pain is to prevent it from the start. Thus, those with any symptoms are urged to seek medical advice, rather than try to heal the pain on their own.

- Bernama