In today’s fast-paced world, we are all surrounded by digital tools that make our work easier. However, what we didn’t know was that it was not only affecting our mental health but also having a serious impact on our physical health. There are times when sitting for long periods of time and being exposed to screens for long periods of time can cause back pain and increase the risk of spinal disorders. Therefore, it is necessary for all of us to remain alert and take measures to keep our spinal health in check. This Spine Day, we caught up with Dr. Ishant Rege, Consultant Brain and Spine Surgeon, Comprehensive Stroke and Endovascular Neurosurgeon, DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune and Dr. Shrikant Dalal, Robotic, Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon at Ruby. Hall Clinic Pune, which shares the everyday factors that contribute to sedentary behavior among youth that can lead to spinal disorders.

Dr. Ishant explains that sitting for too long or spending too much time on digital devices are unhealthy lifestyle choices that affect spinal health, especially in children more than any other. “Bending the back in a sitting position can lead to spinal dislocation, muscle contraction and stress on the vertebral discs and can lead to lower back pain and gradual degeneration of the spine. Sitting for too long also reduces the activation levels of the core muscles which reduces their ability to support the spinal axis thereby placing more stress on the spinal structures,” he said.

Similarly, due to spending too much time on electronic devices, the neck is moved forward to extreme levels, leading to chronic cervical spine pain, known as text neck, Dr. Ishant further explains. Are.

Dr. Ishant explains that to deal with spine related problems, people, especially the youth, need to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, in which there should not be mechanical load on the spine for a long time. “Activities like leaning, too many screens at the wrong angle, or putting pressure on the spine with heavy weight can be harmful to the spine. It is important to maintain regular walking, stretching exercises and working at the correct posture and workspace. Dr. Ishant said, people should avoid slipping wildly on the sofa and using phone or laptop while lying on the sofa or bed.

He further explained, “Physical activities like walking, swimming, yoga should be promoted as they can strengthen the supporting muscles around the spine to neutralize the risks arising from a sedentary lifestyle.”

Dr. Shrikant Dalal, Robotic, Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, explains how modern lifestyle is affecting spine health.

Sitting for long periods of time can lead to poor posture resulting in spinal misalignment, leading to kyphosis and lordosis.

muscle weakness

A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to instability and pain, leading to weakened core and back muscles.

Sitting in one place or being inactive for long periods of time can cause severe long-term back pain.

encourage regular physical activity

Although our lives revolve around digital devices which leads to an unhealthy lifestyle, there are some simple lifestyle changes we can make to help reduce the risk of spine diseases.

Daily Exercise: Playing any sport, walking or stretching exercises can help reduce back pain.

Ergonomic practices: Try to set up proper workspace to help students maintain their posture. Also, encourage them to go outside and play video games instead of sitting around playing.

Educate children about spinal cord health: Tell them about maintaining good posture while sitting and standing and why it is important. Also, tell them about the dangers of sitting for long periods of time. This will encourage them to move forward after a certain period of time.

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