What can I do for back pain?

Hansa Kanuga
Consultant Physiotherapist,
Apollo clinic,
Vadodara.

Q: I have lower back problem since the last 2-3 months. I have consulted an orthopaedic doctor and he asked for a few tests and my uric acid came at 7.4 i.e very high. He gave me pain killer and Zyloric tablet for uric acid. My pain reduced after 15 days but now whenever I bend my body I feel pain in my lower back. My uric acid too has not gone down, it is still 6.8 after medicine. I am a computer engineer. My job profile is also that I have to sit on a chair regularly and my posture may not be correct, but I tried after the problem to sit straight. I did swimming in summer season but not this time. Please suggest whether I should start swimming or not?

A:You will have to go for a few swimming sessions to relax your back. Since you are working on the computer and need to sit for long hours, you will need to follow a few guidelines:

Take frequent breaks every 45 minutes or so.

Practice your neck and back exercises regularly.

Keep your computer screen at eye level.

Your sleeping posture should be on side or on your back.

If you find the exercises to be very painful at this stage, I suggest you go to a physiotherapy clinic and take 8 to 10 sessions of IFT treatment. This will help you reduce your pain. Do not lift heavy weights.

Do not bend forward to pick up things. Go down on your knees and hold the things close to your chest. Regarding medication, you will have to follow your doctor’s advice.