Hello doctor, My husband aged 31 is suffering from chronic back pain near the lower part extending till the upper part for the past eight months. Please help with the diagnosis. He has a bad habit of sitting with a laptop for hours together. He barely does walking or exercises. He has taken an x-ray and ultrasound. Report looks to be normal but his pain has not reduced. Everyone says it is a muscle spasm. Is there any treatment for it?
Hello. I cannot see the film of the x-ray but the report is on mild straightening of the lumbar spine. (attachment removed to protect patient identity).  Vertebra and disc spaces are normal. USG is normal except for mild fatty liver. It seems that there are two issues here lack of exercise and long hours of sitting. Not lead to weak core muscles and as a result the structure of the back is feeling the strain. Usually the muscle help to take the load of the upper body but if they are weak the disc and facet joints start sharing more load and hence the back pain. The best option is to start physiotherapy, do core exercises, planks, bridges, superman position cat camel, clamshell, etc. You will get videos on the internet if you cannot go to a physiotherapist. Avoid sitting for more than 20 minutes at stretch. Preferably use a standing desk. Take a course of anti-inflammatory tablets and apply ice and pain gels though not together. Come back after three weeks.