After heart disease, diabetes and obesity, back pain has now emerged as a major health concern in Delhi-NCR. Doctors across the region are increasingly calling it an epidemic, with low-back pain becoming one of the leading causes of disability. Experts say changing lifestyles, long working hours, stress and rising obesity levels are pushing more people towards chronic back problems.
Why back pain cases are rising
According to Dr Jatinder Bir Singh Jaggi, Senior Director, Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Max Super Speciality Hospital Gurugram, modern lifestyles are largely to blame. “Back pain is no longer an occasional issue. Prolonged sitting, lack of physical activity, work-related stress and increasing obesity have led to a sharp rise in low-back pain cases,” he says.
Sedentary desk jobs, poor posture and minimal movement throughout the day put constant pressure on the spine. Over time, this leads to muscle weakness, disc problems and chronic pain.
Lifestyle and obesity are key triggers
Inactivity and obesity are among the most common and preventable causes of back pain. “With long sitting hours and poor exercise habits, people are unknowingly damaging their spine,” explains Dr Jaggi. “Extra body weight increases stress on the lower back, making pain more frequent and severe.”
Impact on daily life and mental health
Back pain does not only affect physical health. It also impacts mental well-being, productivity and family life. Chronic pain can disturb sleep, reduce work efficiency and lead to anxiety or depression. “Stress and pain often feed into each other,” says Dr Jaggi. “This creates a cycle where untreated back pain worsens mental health, which in turn increases pain.”
Early treatment is the only way
Doctors stress that timely care can prevent back pain from becoming a long-term condition. “Early intervention makes a huge difference,” Dr Jaggi shares. “When treated on time, low-back pain does not have to affect quality of life.” Ignoring symptoms or relying only on painkillers can delay proper diagnosis and treatment.
How to protect your spine
As per Dr Jaggi, making some lifestyle changes like correcting posture, ergonomic workstations, daily stretching, core strengthening and regular walking can help prevent flare-ups.
“Even simple habits like walking and stretching every day can protect spinal health,” says Dr Jaggi.