Fix your posture, say doctors as slipped disc cases rise among youngsters in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: If you're in your 20s or 30s and struggling with frequent back pain, you're not alone. You might want to get it checked as it might be more than just a result of poor posture or a stiff muscle.
Doctors in Bengaluru say they're seeing a steady rise in slipped disc cases among young adults (20-35 years), many of whom spend hours glued to screens, hunched over desks or commuting long distances. What was once a condition common in older adults is now affecting teenagers and office-goers alike.
Dr Harish Puranik, head of orthopaedics at Altius Hospital, told TOI he sees over 30 cases a month among the young. "Discs are jelly-like cushions between the spine's 32 bones.
With age, they lose water and become brittle. That's normal. In fact, about 30% of healthy people show disc bulges on MRI scans, even without symptoms. What's changed is the number of scans being done. Earlier, back pain was treated with physiotherapy and rest.
Now, more people get MRIs, so we're seeing more cases but not necessarily more disease."
He added, "The real problem is weak muscles. People sit for long hours, rarely move and don't build strength.
Poor posture, stress, vitamin D and B12 deficiencies and lack of exercise worsen it. Ironically, it's not manual labourers but white-collar workers who have more back pain."
Dr Anand N Chavan, senior consultant, Fortis Hospitals, said he sees over 50 such cases every month among people below 35 years age. "The spinal disc works like a rubber washer. With constant pressure, it dries, stiffens and loses shock absorption.
The strain then concentrates on one spot, causing the disc to slip. Painkillers or rest offer temporary relief, but if you don't fix your posture or activity levels, it keeps coming back.
"
Dr Ganesh Veerabhadraiah, senior consultant neurosurgeon at Kauvery Hospitals, noted even teenagers are now being diagnosed. "We see 16 and 17 year-olds with disc issues. Post Covid, work-from-home setups made it worse. Smoking also plays a role by reducing blood flow to the discs, speeding up degeneration."
How to keep spine healthy
Practise proper posture
Stay physically active
Avoid prolonged sitting
Lift with care
Focus on nutrition & hydration
Symptoms of slipped disc
- Persistent back or neck pain
- Radiating pain to arms or legs
- Numbness or tingling sensation
- Muscle weakness or fatigue
- Pain triggered by movement or pressure
Source: Dr Anand N Chavan, senior consultant, Fortis Hospitals
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