Using physiotherapy to relieve back pain
Although physiotherapy is considered a post–operative therapy, it could be used to relieve even common back pain through a range of physical methods. Generally, backache may persist due to nerve impingement. If we don’t heed our body’s warning signals, the condition could become severe and a part of our everyday life.

Physiotherapist Dr. Moushumi Kuvawala prefers to settle for natural therapy rather than use electrical modalities or prescribing pain killers to treat her patients. “Only if the patient has an acute inflammation of the foot, do I prescribe pain killers, or if he cannot stand or exercise, I use short–wave diathermy”, Dr. Kuvawala says.

Normally, manual therapy entails zeroing in on the area of tightness along the spine and mobilizing it. A regimen of physical exercises are prescribed to sustain the after–effects of manual therapy.

“All arthritic changes applying to the back are applicable to the neck as well”,
informs Dr. Kuvawala. Not all painful conditions are posture–related. In case of recurring radiation (pins and needles sensation), shooting pains or spasms, it is better to consult one’s doctor, she cautions.

The Roots Of Ill–health
A doctor must be a good listener, and query the patient about his daily routine. “The reasons behind the patient’s illness could be somatopsychic or psychosomatic”, states Homeopath Dr. Supriya More. Therapies differ from patient to patient. X–rays are essential in the evaluation and help in ascertaining whether pain is due to a thoracic change or a change in the position of the disc. It is after proper assessment that a “Constitutional remedy” is prescribed. According to Dr. More, a skillful homeopathic massage can work wonders where allopathic pain killers can’t.

Habits die hard
An important co–factor to fitness is proper dietary habits. “Eat simple food. Avoid finishing your dinner with desserts and ice creams everyday,” suggests Chiropractor Tu Kyong Wu. Excess food is poisonous as it weakens ligaments and muscles and if not digested properly, leads to obesity. Obesity can cause pain in joints.

Homeopath Dr. More insists people do exactly what they like. The downside is that many give up treatment half way, she asserts, something Chiropractor Tu Kyong Wu agrees with.

Physiotherapist Moushumi Kuvawala’s suggestions for a good posture

In the office

Try staying physically fit. The flabbier your abdominal muscles get, the more pressure it puts on your back Sit with a good back rest, with your thighs flat and well supported on the chair and feet flat on ground Keeping a very stiff/straight back is not advisable. Get up and walk around occasionally

At home

It is always advisable to change your posture to prevent recurrence of pain while doing the same activity While picking up something heavy, bring it closer to the body and lift it with slightly bent knees Rather than standing in a stooped position over the kitchen platform, try dividing your work, and use the dining table or kitchen table for cutting vegetables If you have to work at the kitchen platform continuously, take a break in between. This will take pressure off the strained muscle for some time and strengthen it