Young, Urban Office Goers Face a Myriad of Back Problems Due To Sedentary Jobs

A serious trend in spinal and back problems was observed among young office workers in their thirties.

Specialists at the Indian Spinal Injuries Center have raised concerns about the number of young office professionals in Delhi who report spine problems that were once more common in older people.

Some complaints from the sedentary patients included back pain, stiffness in the neck and shoulders, the immobilization or locking of joints, and other associated issues.

The physical stress of long commutes, whether sitting in personal vehicles or standing on public transportation, and then sitting a full day at a desk chair, coupled with the mental and emotional stress of the lifestyle, may be leading to the increase in incidences of back aches and shoulder pain.

Any spine specialist could tell you that sitting in the same position for extended periods, and repetitive movements like the use of a keyboard and mouse, can cause stress injuries on the joints, muscles and nerves.

Yet prolonged standing can also have a negative health impact on the body. The muscular effort of the body to keep upright can result of the pooling of the blood in the legs and a reduction of proper circulation.

“According to research, a sedentary lifestyle or long periods of sitting over time can take a toll on your health. Researchers have found that a sedentary life could be just as dangerous, if not more so, than smoking. Extended periods of sitting, typically at work, can affect every part of your being. When you sit for long stretches of time, your body stops working as effectively as it can. The more regular this routine, the higher the risk of developing health problems that are detrimental to your overall health,” said Dr. Charles S. Theofilos, Board-Certified Neurosurgeon and founder of The Spine Center.

Dr. Vedant Vaksha, Assistant Consultant ISIC, said that “Back aches and spinal issues have always been common, but what it alarming in recent times is the number of younger men and women they are afflicting.”

Dr. Vaksha noted that long work hours, which do not allow time for walking or stretching, and the lack of physical exercise in general factor in this recent surge.