August 2011 Final Pages.indd - World Memon Organization ...

MEDICAL SCIENCE
Better help for
back and neck pain
Back pain and neck pain are two of the
most common problems affecting adults of
all ages. While most painful episodes are
only temporary, those afflicted with chronic
conditions endure long term suffering that
can deal a serious blow to the quality of
everyday life. As part of this issue’s special
focus on bones and joints, Better Health
turned to Dr. Verapan Kuansongtham,
an orthopedic surgeon and Director of
Bumrungrad’s Spine Specialists Centre. For
an expert look at how advances in treating
chronic back and neck pain are helping
patients enjoy healthier, less painful lives.
Chronic pain
Pain that persists for at least three months
without responding to treatment usually
medication and/or physical therapy is classified
as chronic. “Back and neck pain are
very common in adults,” Dr. Verapan says.
“Most cases aren’t serious and are often
caused by bad posture habits or heavy physical
activity that strains muscles and causes
temporary pain.”
Patients can usually conquer an episode of
back or neck pain with a combination of better
posture, more rest and anti-inflammatory
pain medication. However, areas such as the
arms or legs, patients should consult their
doctor, as these symptoms may be a sign of a
more serious nervous system condition.
Internal and external
There are both internal and external causes
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for back and neck pain. Possible internal
causes include spinal conditions such as
herniated discs, spondylitis, spondylolisthesis,
scoliosis and spinal metastasis; common
external factors include poor body posture,
injuries and medical conditions arising from
physical activities.
Poor posture - sitting in the same position
for a prolonged period, sitting without
proper back support, or slouching with
the back or neck straining forward, among
others - puts excessive pressure on back and
neck bones. When these bad habits continue
over many months or years, bones begin to
degenerate, resulting in chronic back and
neck pain.
While car accidents and sporting mishaps
can result in painful back and neck injuries,
they account for a relatively small percentage
of back and neck pain cases. In fact,
while an accident would seem to be the
obvious cause for a patient’s painful symptoms,
closer examination often uncovers a
pre-existing problem like bone degeneration
whose symptoms are triggered by an
accident.
Diagnosis critical
Making an accurate, precise diagnosis is
the critical first step in successfully treating
painful back and neck problems. “When
a patient comes for evaluation, the doctor
usually begins the diagnostic process by asking
about the patient’s medical history, “Dr.
Verapan explains. “This is an especially
important first step; a precise diagnosis for
a patient who has been suffering for a very
long time perhaps several years usually
warrants more than just a few minutes time
to fully understand the exact source of the
problem.”
It’s not unusual for chronic conditions to
persist when patients aren’t properly diagnosed
and the real cause is left unidentified.
Some may be examined only by touch, and
if the pain hasn’t spread to other parts of
the body, and treatment they’re prescribed is
unlikely to relieve their symptoms. With the
pain still present, patients can become more
desperate and change doctors in search of
relief. “That makes a thorough, detailed
medical history vital to proper diagnosis,”
says Dr. Verapan. “Doctors also have a
range of tests such as X-ray imaging and
MRI scans to help identify the source of
the problem so that the proper treatment
strategy can be implemented.”
Managing pain
The next step is to determine the optimal
course of treatment usually a combination
of medication, physiotherapy
and rest. According to Dr. Verapan,
there are many treatment options to
be considered. But the following three
procedures are among the best options
as, in addition to successfully relieving
pain. They have also been shown to play
a major role in boosting patient’s everyday
quality of life.
MEMON ALAM AUGUST 2011