My dad, 54, is a business man, who have to work over night. He is also a smoker from past 30 years, he frequently has back pains and his work involve bending. What should he do?
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Hi thanks for your query and welcome to lybrate. I am Dr. Akshay from fortis hospital, new delhi. Your father must have started having degenerative changes in his lower back region especially knowing that he has been a chronic smoker. If he has localized back pain with no other symptoms like radiating leg pain, neurological symptoms like numbness, weakness, paresthesias etc, then he can start with following recommendations for initial period of 2-3 weeks: - to maintain proper posture of your back while working and sleeping - if pain is more then take a short course of an anti-inflammatory medication like tab etoshine or paracetamol or one which suits him - physical therapy initially under supervision of a trained physiotherapist and then to continue at home - adequate calcium & vitamin d intake if levels are low in body - ice packs can applied if his pain is acute, then hot fomentation can be done at home - analgesic spray for local application can be used and is easily available. - avoid lifting heavyweight/ acute forward bending in mornings etc we will observe him for next 2-3 weeks how he responds to this conservative management protocol. If he is not feeling better, then we will have to get some investigations like dynamic x rays of lower back and few blood tests for evaluation. Do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further assistance.
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