World Spine Day 2024: Modern lifestyles are leading to a sharp increase in spine diseases among young people (Image credit: iStock)
In today’s fast-paced world, we are all surrounded by digital devices that make our work easier. But little did we know that it not only affects our mental health, but also has a profound effect on our physical health. Sitting for long periods of time or looking at screens for long periods of time can cause back pain, which can further increase your risk of spinal disorders. Therefore, it is imperative that we all remain vigilant and take steps to maintain spinal health. This Spine Day, we have Dr. Ishant Rege, Consultant Brain and Spine Consultant, Stroke and Endovascular Neurosurgeon, DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune, and Shrikant, Robotic, Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon, Ruby We reached out to Dr. Dalal. Hall Clinic Pune shares the everyday factors that contribute to sedentary behavior in young people that can lead to spinal diseases.
How do sedentary behaviors, such as sitting for long periods of time or looking at screens, affect spinal health in this age group?
Dr. Ishant explains that sitting too much or spending too much time using digital devices are unhealthy lifestyle choices that affect spinal health more than anyone else, especially in children. “Hunting your back while sitting can cause spinal dislocation, muscle contraction, and stress on the discs, predisposing you to lower back pain and gradual deterioration of your spine. “The activation level of the trunk muscles decreases, reducing their ability to support the axis of the spine and increasing stress on the spinal structures,” he said.
Similarly, too much time spent using electronic devices causes the neck to move forward to an extreme level, causing long-term cervical pain known as text neck, Dr. Ishant further said.
Are there certain activities or habits that young people should avoid to prevent the early onset of spinal disease?
Dr. Ishant explains that to combat spine-related problems, people, especially young people, need to follow a healthy and active lifestyle to avoid prolonged mechanical loads on the spine. “Activities such as bending forward, looking too much at a screen at the wrong angle, or stressing the spine with heavy weights can have a negative effect on the spine. Regular exercise, stretching exercises, and correct It is important to maintain good posture and work at the workstation. People should refrain from slouching wildly on the couch or using the phone or laptop while lying on the couch or bed. ,” Dr. Ishant said.
“Physical activities such as walking, swimming and yoga should be encouraged as they can strengthen the supporting muscles around the spine and neutralize the risks arising from a sedentary lifestyle,” he further explains. did.
Dr Shrikant Dalal, Robotic, Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, explains how spinal health is being affected by modern lifestyle.
posture problems
Sitting for long periods of time can lead to poor posture and misalignment of the spine, causing kyphosis and lordosis.
muscle weakness
A sedentary lifestyle can cause instability and pain, leading to weakened core and back muscles.
chronic pain
Sitting in one place for long periods of time or not exercising can cause severe chronic back pain.
Prevention and solutions
Encouraging regular physical activity
Although our lives revolve around digital devices that lead to unhealthy lifestyles, there are some simple lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of spinal disease.
Exercise daily: Playing sports, walking, and stretching can help reduce back pain.
Ergonomic practices: Try to set up the workstation appropriately to help students maintain good posture. Also, encourage them to go outside and play instead of sitting around playing video games.
Educate children about spinal health: Teach them to maintain good posture when sitting and standing, and explain why it’s important. Also, explain the risks of sitting for long periods of time. This will cause it to move after a certain amount of time.
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