Back Pain Treatment in Varanasi by Dr. Shwetabh Rai

For back pain in Varanasi, an orthopedic surgeon is the right doctor to see, particularly if the pain is lasting more than a few weeks, travels down your leg or followed a fall. Orthopedic surgeons treat the bones, joints, discs and muscles of the spine, and can manage everything from a simple strain to a fracture or a disc needing surgery. Your family doctor can handle short episodes of mild back ache. Dr. Shwetabh Rai consults at Shubhyash Hospital, Bhojuveer, with OPD till 10 PM, and holds MS (Ortho), DNB (Ortho) and MCh qualifications with over 12 years in orthopedics. You can read about his background on the orthopedic surgeon in Varanasi homepage. If you have bladder or bowel problems or leg weakness, go to the emergency department instead of waiting for an OPD slot.

Most people with lower back pain do not need an MRI, at least not in the first few weeks. An MRI rarely changes treatment for simple back pain, and it often shows disc bulges and wear that many people without any pain also have. This can cause worry and lead to treatment that is not needed. An MRI is useful when there are red flags such as bladder or bowel changes, leg weakness, fever, weight loss or a history of cancer, or when sciatica has not improved after several weeks and an injection or surgery is being considered. Dr. Rai decides on a scan after examining you, and he looks at the films himself to check that what they show matches your symptoms. If you already have an MRI, bring the films or CD to your appointment.

No, bed rest is not good for back pain beyond a day or so of the very worst pain. Lying in bed for long periods weakens the muscles that support your spine, stiffens the joints and usually slows recovery. Staying gently active, with short walks and normal daily tasks as far as the pain allows, helps most people get better faster. You may need to change how you do things for a while, such as avoiding heavy lifting, taking breaks from sitting and using heat packs for spasm. Pain medicines taken as prescribed make it easier to keep moving. If the pain is so severe that you cannot move at all, or it follows a fall or accident, get it checked rather than simply resting at home, as a fracture or nerve problem needs to be ruled out.

Sciatica usually goes away in a few weeks to a few months. When it is caused by a slipped disc, many people notice improvement within a few weeks, and for most the pain has settled by around 3 to 4 months as the disc material shrinks and the nerve calms down. Pain can come and go during this time. Staying active, the exercises your physiotherapist gives you and medicines for nerve pain help you through it. If sciatica is not improving after several weeks, an MRI and sometimes an injection around the nerve are considered. Surgery is discussed if pain stays severe, if your foot or leg is getting weaker, or urgently if you have bladder or bowel symptoms. The spine surgery page explains what a microdiscectomy involves.

Back pain can occasionally be a sign of something serious, though in most people it is not. Warning signs include numbness around the genitals or back passage, difficulty passing urine, loss of bladder or bowel control, weakness in the legs, fever, weight loss without trying, a past history of cancer, pain that is worse at night and not eased by rest, and pain after a fall or road accident. These can point to severe nerve compression, a fracture, infection or, rarely, a tumour. In older people, sudden back pain after a minor fall may be an osteoporotic fracture of a vertebra. If you notice bladder or bowel changes or leg weakness, go to an emergency department immediately. Shubhyash Hospital's 24x7 emergency can be reached on +91 93696 80496, and the fracture treatment page covers injuries after falls.

Yes, riding a bike or scooter can cause or worsen back pain, especially on long daily commutes and on roads with potholes and speed breakers. Every jolt passes up through the spine, and sitting hunched forward for long periods strains the muscles and discs of the lower back. Carrying heavy loads or a passenger adds to the strain. To reduce the risk, keep your tyres at the right pressure and your shock absorbers in good condition, slow down over bumps rather than taking them at speed, sit upright with your arms relaxed and stop for a short walk on longer rides. Strengthening your core muscles also helps. If you have sciatica or a recent spine injury, ask Dr. Rai when it is safe to ride again before restarting long journeys.

The cost of back pain treatment in Varanasi depends on what is causing the pain and what treatment you need, so it varies a great deal from person to person. Most people with back pain need only a consultation, a short course of medicines and physiotherapy, which keeps costs modest. The total rises if an MRI or X-rays are needed, if an injection is advised, or if a fracture or nerve problem needs surgery and a hospital stay. Dr. Rai orders tests only when they will change your treatment, which avoids paying for scans you do not need. If a procedure is recommended, the hospital will give you a written estimate before you decide. For appointments, call or WhatsApp +91 99567 61112, or see the contact page for directions and OPD timings.

The exercises that help lower back pain most are regular walking, gentle stretches for the back and hamstrings, and exercises that strengthen the core and buttock muscles, such as pelvic tilts, bridges and bird-dog movements. Walking is the easiest place to start, building up from a few minutes to around half an hour a day. Exercises should be slow and controlled and should not cause sharp pain or pain shooting down the leg. Yoga and similar classes help some people, as long as movements are modified while the back is sore. A physiotherapist can teach you the right exercises for your problem and check your technique, which matters more than the number of exercises. If exercises make leg pain or numbness worse, stop and get your back checked by Dr. Rai before continuing.