More Youngsters in Bengaluru have back pain

Hospitals are witnessing increased cases of back and neck pain among youngsters between the age of  20 and 35.

Government-run institute, Sanjay Gandhi institute of Trauma and Orthopaedics (SGITO) receives around four patients between the age of 20 and 35 with back and neck pain.

"We never used to get such cases earlier. Now the cases are quite frequent," Dr H S Chandrashekhar, director, SGITO.

He added that most of the youngsters who approach for help in cases of back pain are those who are working in IT sector or Jobs that demand long hours of sitting.

Dr Thomas Chandy, director and chief of orthopaedics, Hosmat hospital said that the patients approaching the hospital for back pain are numerous and they fall between the ages of around 20 years to around 35 years.

He said that years of sitting before computer screens for  hours together is a major reason for the pain.

"Potholes on the roads are another major reason for which people keep coming for treatment." he said.

According to doctors,  people do not have time for exercise, which gives the spine relaxation and movement which will lead to a healthy spine.

According to a research conducted by QI spine clinic, which runs a chain of hospitals in various parts of the country specialised in chronic spine and back conditions , Bengaluru's young population treated for back pain problems is the second highest at 23% after New Delhi (25%). While Bengaluru stands at the highest, with 46% of population between the age of 35-years to 45-years reporting spinal issues followed by Delhi (43%), Mumbai (41%) and Pune (38%).

"Around 90% of the patients we see in our clinics are letting the pain advance by prolonging medical care. This will lead to disability, paralysis etc," said Dr Anuj Arenja,managing director of QI spine clinic.

He added that in cities like Bangalore and Delhi, people prolong the treatments more as their jobs demand more time and cannot approach medical care. Often they take wrong treatment as they think that can give them rapid cure.

Dr Chandrashekhar said that regular exercise can prevent the issues. In cases if advancement in pain, there should be guided physiotherapy.