Do you suffer from routine low back pain? You are not alone. The condition that affected over 600 million people globally in 2020 is expected to impact 850 million by 2050, mainly due to poor lifestyle, physiotherapists said here on World Physiotherapists Day. Low back pain which remains a leading cause of disability worldwide is the theme of this year.
Despite the prevalence of this issue, affecting 90 per cent of people due to factors like prolonged sitting, poor posture, and furniture design, many remain unaware of the underlying cause. Persistent pain, which can occur at any age, is serious and may require attention if it lasts for more than three months.
"Chronic pain can lead to disability. Global data indicates that 1 in 13 people suffer from this growing issue due to prolonged sitting, poor posture, and furniture design. Since 1990, the incidence of back pain has risen by up to 60%," according to Dr. Pooja Sethi, head of the Physiotherapy Department at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Delhi.
She said that in 90 per cent of cases, no specific cause for back pain can be identified with the balance cases linked to issues with joints, muscles, ligaments, or discs. "X-rays or MRIs often do not reveal the cause of pain, but orthopedic doctors or physiotherapists may diagnose it through examination," she added.
Dr. Khyatee, a senior physiotherapist from Ghaziabad and former senior research officer with AIIMS Delhi emphasised that physical therapy is often recommended as a first-line treatment for most types of lower back pain. "This approach includes guided therapeutic exercises designed to strengthen the lower back muscles and condition the spinal tissues and joints."
These exercises focus on providing flexibility and strength training to the entire kinetic chain-the interconnected groups of body segments, joints, and muscles that work together for movement, she added.
"Given the rising number of individuals, particularly younger populations, experiencing low back pain, it's crucial to raise awareness about prevention and management. We have seen that around 90% of back pain cases are non-specific and can be managed effectively with the right approach.
"Our back pain assessment activity helps participants evaluate their risk and receive tailored exercise guidance. Prevention is always better than cure, and through such initiatives, we aim to help people avoid more serious conditions and lead pain-free lives," said Dr. Seema Grover, Head of the Department of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
