Dr. Soham Dinda, Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon in Tamluk, Purba Medinipur (MBBS Hons, NRSMCH; MS Orthopaedics, RG Kar MC&H), explains back pain, sciatica, slip disc: symptoms, causes, tests and treatment options.
Understanding low back pain
Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit an orthopaedic doctor. Most episodes improve in a few weeks, but pain that keeps coming back, spreads down the leg or disturbs sleep deserves a proper check-up. Long hours of sitting, desk work, lifting heavy loads, poor posture, weight gain and weak back muscles are common triggers in daily life.
Common causes of back and neck pain
- Muscle strain or ligament sprain from lifting or sudden movement
- Disc problems, often called slip disc or prolapsed disc, which may press on a nerve
- Sciatica, pain that travels from the back or buttock down the leg
- Spondylosis, age-related wear of the spine, including cervical spondylosis in the neck
- Spinal canal narrowing in older adults, causing leg pain on walking
- Osteoporosis-related spinal fractures, especially in older women
Symptoms that need attention
- Back pain with pain, tingling or numbness travelling to the leg or foot
- Pain that is worse in the morning or after long sitting
- Neck pain with arm pain, tingling or weak grip
- Stiffness that limits bending, turning or getting up
- Pain that wakes you at night and does not ease with rest
Red flags: see a doctor urgently
Seek medical help immediately if back pain comes with any of the following, because these can signal pressure on the spinal nerves or another serious condition:
- Weakness or numbness in one or both legs
- Difficulty passing urine or stool, or loss of control
- Numbness around the groin or buttocks
- Fever with severe back pain
- Back pain after a fall or accident, especially in older people
- Unexplained weight loss with persistent back pain
How back pain is diagnosed
Your doctor takes a careful history, examines your spine, movements, reflexes and leg strength, and may advise X-rays. An MRI scan is requested when nerve compression, disc prolapse or other conditions are suspected. Many people have changes on scans that do not cause pain, so treatment is based on both your symptoms and the findings.
Treatment: non-surgical first
Most back pain, including many disc problems, improves without surgery.
- Short-term medicines to calm pain and inflammation, as prescribed
- Staying active rather than long bed rest, with gentle walking
- Physiotherapy and a graded back-strengthening and core exercise plan
- Posture correction and advice on lifting, sitting and sleeping
- Hot or cold packs, and a lumbar belt for short periods when advised
- Injections around the nerve in selected cases
- Weight reduction, which lowers the load on the spine
Surgery is considered only for a small group, such as those with severe nerve compression, progressive weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or pain that does not respond to a proper trial of non-surgical care.
Everyday tips to protect your back
- Sit with your lower back supported and take a short walk every 30 to 45 minutes
- Bend your knees and keep the load close to your body when lifting
- Sleep on a firm, even mattress
- Do regular stretching and back-strengthening exercises as taught
- Avoid smoking, which affects spinal discs
Back pain care in Tamluk
Patients from Tamluk, Haldia, Panskura, Kolaghat and nearby areas visit Dr. Soham Dinda for back pain, sciatica and neck pain. The aim is to find the true cause, relieve pain safely and help you return to work and normal life.
সংক্ষেপে বাংলায়
কোমর বা পিঠে ব্যথা, পা বেয়ে ব্যথা নামা (সায়াটিকা) বা ঘাড়ে ব্যথা হলে আগে কারণ জানা জরুরি। বেশিরভাগ ক্ষেত্রে ওষুধ, ব্যায়াম ও সঠিক ভঙ্গিতে বসা-ওঠায় ব্যথা কমে, অপারেশন লাগে না। তবে পায়ে দুর্বলতা, অসাড়ভাব বা প্রস্রাব-পায়খানায় সমস্যা হলে দেরি না করে ডাক্তার দেখান। তমলুকে অ্যাপয়েন্টমেন্টের জন্য ফোন করুন ৮৯১০০৫১০৭২।
This page is for general awareness and does not replace a consultation. Please see a qualified doctor for diagnosis and treatment.