Back and Neck Pain: Dispelling Myths in the Pursuit of Relief- Dr. Ashutosh Sharma-The spine-Back & Neck pain specialist in Jaipur

BACK PAIN/ NECK PAIN

For a vast majority of us, Back and Neck Pain is a fact of life. The timescale of it may vary, but it does visit each of us at some point of time in our lives. Fortunately, majority (90%) of them will resolve on their own in 2-3 weeks, during which symptomatic treatment and physiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment aimed at maintaining range of movement during the episode. Back and Neck pain is an epidemic of modern-day society and not surprisingly, conflicting messages are bound to contribute in spoiling the broth. The scale of the problem in a diverse society, with multiple professional contributing in the care, is bound to feed confusing and conflicting messages. The aim of this article is to present commonly encountered myths among my patients of back and neck pain.

KEY FACTS

• In 2020, low back pain (LBP) affected 619 million people globally and it is estimated that the number of cases will increase to 843 million cases by 2050, driven largely by population expansion and ageing.
• LBP is the single leading cause of disability worldwide and the condition for which the greatest number of people may benefit from rehabilitation.
• LBP can be experienced at any age, and most people experience LBP at least once in their life.
• Prevalence increases with age up to 80 years, while the highest number of LBP cases occurs at the age of 50–55 years. LBP is more prevalent in women.
• Non-specific LBP is the most common presentation of LBP (about 90% of cases).
• Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, having an age-standardized prevalence rate of 27.0 per 1000 population in 2019.
• Psychological risk factors, such as long-term stress, lack of social support, anxiety, and depression are important risk factors for neck pain & back pain.

Myth-1

I CAN’T GET BACK/ NECK PAIN, I AM WAY TOO HEALTHY FOR IT

As I said in the introduction, nearly 70- 80 % of us will suffer with it at some point in our lives, even if it is for short period lasting days / weeks. Having a balanced range of activities to strength all muscle groups is the key.  Even athletes / sportspersons are affected if the sport involves excessive strain on a certain muscle group or body part. Habitual body posture / activity predisposes for injury or pain.

Physio Tip: Prevention is better than cure. Practicing good technique for our daily activities like sitting, standing, walking, lifting contributes in keeping pain at bay.

Myth-2

MY BACK / NECK HURTS- DO I NEED BED REST

The current consensus for optimal course of action is to stay as active as is feasible. Any extended periods of rest beyond 2-3 days, sows the seeds for persistent chronic pain (greater than 3 months). It is reasonable to modify your activities, but avoid taking complete bed rest. Attempt to return to your daily routine activity.  The health and strength of posture supporting muscles around your spine are just as important as your spine bones. Scientific studies have demonstrated weakening of your back muscles after just 2 days of rest (disuse atrophy). So, it time to jump (I mean climb) out of bed and attempt to return to your daily routine as much as possible.

Physio Tip: Minimize any rest period and attempt return to daily routine.

Myth-3

I HAVE TO GIVE UP MY FAVORITE ACTIVITY LIKE SPORT, JOGGING, Etc.

Your back pain may act as a dampener to your intentions to continue your desired activity. Your doctor / physiotherapist will guide you in an individually tailored exercise regime to assist returning to your favorite activity. A combination of flexibility exercise, core muscle exercises, and appropriate posture will assist you in returning to most or all of your favorite activities.

Physio Tip: Adapt rather than sacrifice your favorite activity and sport.

Myth-4

I NEED AN XRAY OR SCAN TO FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF MY BACK AND NECK PAIN BEFORE STARTING TREATMENT

Majority of back and neck pain episodes get better on their own with symptomatic treatment and scan should not delay the onset of treatment. In most situations, further investigations are required when pain does not get better after 2-3 weeks. Your physiotherapist is the best placed to assess the need for scan.

Physio Tip: The professional’s assessment and advice should guide your treatment plan.

Myth-5

MY SCAN AND X-RAY WILL FIND THE CAUSE OF MY PAIN

The sophisticated scan provide nice images of your back / neck that might show an abnormality. However, such changes are a common (30-40%) in over 40 year olds people routinely carrying non-painful spine changes. However, your doctor is best placed to guide you in correlating your pain pattern with your scans. It is fairly common to not identify a specific cause on your scans for your pain. After all, the body does not live all day lying flat like in the tunnel of the MRI scanner. The constant weight bearing, strain of posture and movement are something that can’t be replicated in any scanner.

Physio Tip:: Your tests will guide and supplement the professional’s meticulous assessment, but can’t replace it.

Myth-6

I HAVE BACK / NECK PAIN, AND I NEED SURGERY

The indications for surgery for back and neck pain are very few, and only a small proportion of people need it. You would need to be assessed in detail before considering surgery, usually to relieve pressure on nerves (not irritation of nerves). There are many simple treatment options including minimally invasive procedures that may be suitable before considering surgery as a treatment option.

Here are some common indications for surgery for back and neck pain:

Disc sequestration: When the gel-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the outer layer, pressing on nearby nerves and causing pain or weakness, surgery like a discectomy or microdiscectomy may be necessary to remove the herniated portion.

Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to compression of the spinal cord and nerves. Surgery like a laminectomy or spinal fusion may be performed to relieve pressure on the nerves and stabilize the spine.

Spondylolisthesis: When one vertebra slips forward onto the vertebra below it, causing instability and compression of nerves. Surgery may involve spinal fusion to stabilize the affected segment.

Fractures: Severe fractures, especially those causing spinal instability or compression of the spinal cord or nerves, may require surgical intervention such as vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, or spinal fusion.

Tumors: Spinal tumors, whether primary (originating in the spine) or metastatic (spread from elsewhere in the body), may require surgery for removal and possibly radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Infections: Spinal infections like spinal abscess or osteomyelitis may necessitate surgical drainage, debridement, and possibly stabilization of the spine.

Failed Conservative Treatment: When conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and injections fail to provide relief over an extended period, surgery may be considered as a last resort.

Severe Symptoms: If back or neck pain is accompanied by severe and progressive neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking, surgery may be necessary to prevent permanent nerve damage.

Traumatic Injuries: Severe trauma to the spine, such as from a car accident or fall, may require emergency surgery to stabilize the spine and prevent further damage to the spinal cord.

Physio Tip: Physiotherapy , Chiropractic, Osteopathy is the most effective  & non invasive treatment and consultation should be done with a qualified physiotherapist in Jaipur.

Myth-7

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OVERWEIGHT, HOW CAN THIS BE THE CAUSE OF MY BACK PAIN

The skeleton supported by its ligaments and muscles carries all your weight. Any weight you carry squeezes the disc in your spine and hence does correlate with pain. Moreover, a large belly tilts your pelvis forwards making an abnormal curve in your spine. This can contribute in causing your pain. Any exercise you undertake in reducing your weight has an added benefit of promoting production of endorphins (body’s own painkillers).

Physio Tip: Reducing weight and maintain it have multiple ancillary benefits like sense of wellbeing, self-confidence, improved muscle endurance and activity tolerance.

Myth-8

BACK AND NECK PAIN IS A VERY DISABLING CONDITION

Excessive fear and unwarranted misinformation will harm your chances in helping yourself. Staying motivated, leading a healthy lifestyle, maintaining active lifestyle and social engagements. People who return to normal routine activities without excessive rest or overdoing exercises will fair better in the long run.

Physio Tip: How you adapt and accommodate to your medical condition determines the severity of disability.

Myth-9

ALL THE HEAVY LIFTING, I HAVE BEEN DOING AND CONTINUE TO DO IS BAD FOR MY BACK AND NECK

Lifting with knees rather than your back is the key message in lifting hygiene. It is more about how you lift, than how much you lift. Of course, excessive weight, does mean more chances of back and neck pain. Having the right help, aids and lifting technique will keep you in good health.

Physio Tip: Often poor lifting techniques rather than lifting weight is the culprit.

 

Myth-10

NO DOCTOR CAN FIND THE CAUSE FOR MY PAIN, IT IS ALL IN MY HEAD

Pain is real and pain is what you say it is, irrespective of what the tests and doctors say. You need assessment by a qualified professional (like  Physiotherapist , Chiropractor, Osteopath, pain physician, rheumatologist, neurosurgeon, orthopedician). Pain experience has many dimensions inclusive of an emotional component that drains a lot of energy and motivation. You need help with a meticulous assessment and guidance from an experienced professionals to guide you in your fight against pain.

Physio Tip: Craniosacral Therapy (CST) helps in the psychological or biopsychological back pain and neck pain.

SUMMARY

Back and neck pain are inevitable short term visitors in our lives (self or relatives). For the unfortunate few left with chronic pain, a plethora of misinformation contributes to the suffering and experience of pain. A plethora of myths accumulated along the way do more harm than good for this long term condition. High quality evidence based treatments are now available eg: physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, many without the need for surgery. Getting the right qualified help and advice in your fight against persistent back and neck pain is the best thing you can do for yourself.

At Dr. Ashutosh Sharma's Health & Wellness Center: The Spine-Back & Neck Specialist, we specialize in providing tailored treatments for various back and neck pain conditions. Led by Dr. Ashutosh Sharma, our team offers personalized care utilizing cutting-edge techniques and evidence-based approaches. From acute strains to chronic disorders eg. slip disc sciatica , we address a wide range of spine-related issues with a focus on non-invasive methods such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and osteopathy. Our goal is to help individuals regain mobility, alleviate pain, and achieve optimal spinal health. If you're seeking relief from back or neck discomfort, trust our experienced specialists to provide compassionate and effective treatment. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a pain-free life.

• Back Pain Treatment
• Lower Back Pain Treatment
• Neck Pain Treatment
• Slipped Disc Treatment
• Spondylitis Treatment
• Spondylosis Treatment
• Sciatica Treatment
• Disc Bulge Treatment
• Scoliosis Treatment
• Spinal Arthritis Treatment
• Osteoporosis Treatment
• Pelvic Girdle Pain Treatment
• Piriformis Syndrome Treatment
• Kyphosis Treatment
• Disc Sequestration Treatment
• Fibromyalgia Treatment
• Muscle Strain Treatment
• Spondyloarthropathies Treatment
• Pregnancy Back Pain Treatment
• Upper Back Pain Treatment
• Spondylolisthesis Treatment
• Stenosis Treatment
• Facet Joint Arthropathy Treatment
• Back Pain in Children Treatment
• Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment
• Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treatment
• Spinal Canal Stenosis Treatment
• Lumbarisation & Sacralisation Treatment
• Cervical Spinal Canal Treatment
• Stenosis Treatment
• Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment
• Headaches With Neck Pain Treatment
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment
• Coccydynia Treatment
• Lower Back Muscle Strain Treatment

Comprehensive Back Pain, Neck Pain Relief

Dr. Ashutosh Sharma offers a threefold approach to back pain relief through osteopathy, chiropractic care, and physiotherapy. Each of these treatments has its unique philosophy and techniques, but they share a common goal: to alleviate back pain & neck pain and improve your quality of life.

Osteopathy: Dr.  Ashutosh Sharma's holistic approach to osteopathy considers the interconnectedness of the body's systems, aiming to restore balance, improve blood flow, and enhance the body's self-healing mechanisms.

Chiropractic Care: His expertise in chiropractic care corrects spinal misalignments to reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance the body's natural healing abilities.

Physiotherapy: Dr.  Ashutosh Sharma's comprehensive physiotherapy plans, based on evidence-based practices, address each patient's unique needs to reduce pain and improve function.

When considering back pain neck pain treatment in Jaipur, consulting with Dr. Ashutosh Sharma is a choice that leads to personalized, effective, and compassionate care. Dr.  Ashutosh Sharma and his team are dedicated to helping you find the path to relief and recovery.

If you're experiencing back painn neck pain in Jaipur, consider exploring Dr. Ashutosh Sharma's threefold approach to back pain relief. Take the first step toward a pain-free and healthier life by scheduling a consultation with a true expert in the field.

For appointments and inquiries, contact-8971523209.

or visit:https://maps.app.goo.gl/sNN6oaetnvWDZUVL6

Near Ghiya Hospital, E-56, Girdhar Marg, Sector 12, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302017

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on this website. Reliance on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk. The authors, contributors, and publishers of this blog make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information contained herein.