Spinal pressure in young people

No longer just a common ailment in middle age, neck and shoulder pain and numbness are now severely affecting office workers and young people, stemming from lifestyle habits and the nature of jobs that involve long hours in front of electronic devices.

Lowering your head too low while using your phone is one cause.

At Clinic 2 of the Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital, more than 50 people visit daily with symptoms of neck and shoulder pain. Recently, there has been an alarming increase in the number of patients under 30 years old, accounting for over 50% of this group. Notably, there are even patients as young as 17, still in school. Many cases involve individuals in their early twenties experiencing premature degeneration and cervical disc herniation, conditions typically seen only in middle-aged and elderly people.

Maintaining a regular exercise routine, increasing physical activity, and proactively adjusting lifestyle habits can help young people protect their musculoskeletal system.

Photo: An Quan

Patient NML (23 years old, a female programmer in Da Nang) came for examination with localized neck stiffness, limited head movement to both sides, and pain radiating from the neck down to the shoulders and back. Upon taking her medical history, L. stated that she spends an average of more than 10 hours a day sitting and working in front of a computer, and then continues to use her phone for many hours afterward.

According to Dr. Nguyen Cong Ly, a specialist at the Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital, common symptoms in young patients begin with a slight feeling of fatigue in the neck area, then progress to pain and stiffness in the trapezius and rhomboid muscles, gradually spreading down the arm. More seriously, many patients experience pain and reduced grip strength.

The main cause is prolonged incorrect posture during daily activities, work, and study. Bending the head too low when using a phone or sitting incorrectly in front of a computer screen puts significant pressure on the cervical spine. In addition, sedentary lifestyles; lack of sun exposure; working continuously in low-temperature air-conditioned environments causing muscle spasms, neck stiffness, and reduced blood circulation; and sleeping with a high pillow… All these habits hinder blood flow, causing muscle spasms and leading to persistent pain.

We need to proactively adjust our lifestyle.

Unlike simply using temporary painkillers, experts say that many young people have chosen traditional medicine for the long term, treating according to the principles of clearing meridians, regulating qi and blood, dispelling wind, dispersing cold, and eliminating dampness... warming the body, releasing blocked meridians, and resolving stagnant qi and blood that cause pain.

Dr. Nguyen Cong Ly uses acupuncture to treat neck and shoulder pain in a young patient at Da Nang Traditional Medicine Hospital.

PHOTO: AN DY

For young people suffering from neck and shoulder pain, traditional medicine commonly applies acupuncture to stimulate important acupoints, directly targeting muscle spasms, helping to quickly reduce pain and improve blood circulation to the affected neck and shoulder area. In addition, massage therapists, acupressure practitioners, and those using traditional herbal compresses help relax stiff muscles and relieve nerve compression.

"In severe cases, doctors will prescribe acupuncture, injecting medications into acupoints to reduce pain, inflammation, and regenerate damaged cells," said Dr. Nguyen Cong Ly.

However, treatment is only truly sustainable when patients proactively adjust their lifestyle. Specifically, this includes adjusting posture, keeping computer screens at eye level, and avoiding bending their heads too far back when using phones. Perform gentle stretching exercises after every 45-60 minutes of work. Avoid direct airflow from air conditioners to the neck and nape area. Maintain a routine of supplementary exercises such as yoga, swimming, or light physical exercises to increase flexibility. Ensure adequate rest, avoiding pillows that are too high or too soft when sleeping.

Neck and shoulder pain in young people is not just a temporary symptom, but a warning sign that spinal health is being compromised. Early detection and proper treatment, combined with lifestyle changes, will help young people protect their musculoskeletal system, maintain work productivity, and improve their quality of life in the long term.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ap-luc-cot-song-o-nguoi-tre-185260601211845901.htm