As the world marks Spine Day on Wednesday, a Consultant Neurosurgeon, Prof. Augustine Adeolu, has advised Nigerians to engage in regular exercise and avoid risky sports to support their spines.
Adeolu, a Consultant Neurosurgeon and Head, Department of Neurological Surgery, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.
NAN reports that World Spine Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 16, and the 2024 theme is “Support Your Spine”. The day is recognized as the largest public health initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the global burden of spinal pain and disability.
Adeolu urged Nigerians to always maintain proper posture while sitting and avoid using old sagging mattresses.
He added that appropriate weight bearing and weight lifting techniques were also important measures that should be observed.
“Phones and laptops should be used closed to the eye level as much as possible especially during prolonged use, they should not be on the lap or at a level where the neck or spine will be twisted while using them.
“Bad sitting habit, wrong posture, prolonged sitting, for example, long distance travelling, prolonged use of phones and laptops, carrying heavy objects on the head or shoulder or the back, should be avoided,” he said.
Adeolu remarked that World Spine Day was about creating awareness about the spine, issues related to it, including common diseases and how to prevent them.
He urged the government to encourage training of specialists in spine diseases, improve access to care of spinal ailments, improve facilities to treat the ailments and encourage research in spine disorders.
“Government can also help with addressing the causes of neck and back pain,” Adeolu told NAN.
Also, a Consultant Neurologist at UCH, Ibadan, Dr Steven Oluwole, enjoined individuals to manage right from primary school, the weight they put on the head, which he said, could damage the spine along the way.
According to him, prostrate problems could spread to the spine and produce pain while different cancers can as well occur.
“If you remove the spine from a human being, what is left will look very funny because the head is attached to it.
“The spine is what binds the entire body system together, back pain, neck pain, are all related to the spine.
“So, people should try as much as possible to prevent the spine from having any issues,” Oluwole said. (NAN)
