'Not just muscular': Hyderabad Apollo Hospital doctor on the silent pandemic of low back pain

Low back pain has become a silent pandemic, according to Apollo Hyderabad's Dr Sudhir Kumar.

In a post on X, the Neurologist said that every day, 4–5 patients walk into his clinic with low back pain.

But for many, he said, it’s not just stiffness - it comes with shooting pain down the leg, tingling, numbness, and even weakness in the foot — classic signs of nerve involvement, often linked to disc prolapse.


"This is no longer an occasional complaint. It is a lifestyle disorder," the doctor emphasised.

He said that long hours of sitting, poor posture, weak core muscles, and excess abdominal weight are putting constant stress on the spine. "Your spine was designed to move; not to sit for 8–10 hours daily," wrote Dr Sudhi. He said that when sitting becomes prolonged and uninterrupted, pressure on spinal discs rises, muscles that support the back weaken, hamstrings tighten, and core stability declines. Over time, this can lead to disc bulge, nerve compression, and conditions like sciatica.



However, he said that all this is preventable with small, consistent habits.

According to Dr Sudhir, standing up and moving every 30–45 minutes can reduce stress on the spine. Strengthening the core and back muscles improves support, while correcting posture reduces long-term damage. Losing excess abdominal weight also lowers the load on the lower back.

Simple back extension exercises can help, especially for people with desk jobs. Beginners can start with basic movements like lying prone and propping up on the elbows, followed by gentle press-ups and gradual extension exercises. The key isn’t intensity — it’s consistency and proper technique. Guidance from a physiotherapist or trained fitness professional can make a significant difference.

At the same time, not all back pain should be ignored. Warning signs such as worsening leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe injury, fever, or unexplained weight loss require immediate medical attention.

"Low back pain is preventable in most cases. Your spine reflects your lifestyle. Move more. Strengthen smartly. Sit less," he concluded.