[Click! Health] After the Summer Monsoon and Vacation Season... Is Your Back at Risk?

As the summer rainy season and vacation period approach, advice has been issued to pay attention to back health.

[Image provided by Pixabay]

According to Seoul Yes Hospital on the 23rd, the number of patients visiting due to spinal microfractures or acute disc herniation tends to increase from July, when the rainy season begins, through August, when vacations continue. Jeon Jae-gyun, director of Seoul Yes Hospital, explained, "During the rainy season, low atmospheric pressure causes increased pressure inside the spine, which can cause surrounding tissues to expand and irritate nerves, leading to pain and worsening back conditions."

Many cases show symptoms of spinal microfractures or acute disc herniation after experiencing impact to the back while enjoying water sports or leisure sports during vacations when the back is weakened during the rainy season. Additionally, the number of patients complaining of spinal microfractures or acute disc symptoms after slipping while walking in the heavy rain of the rainy season is also increasing.

Falling on the Buttocks Can Cause Spinal Microfractures

During the rainy season, it is common to slip on slippery floors and fall on or hit the buttocks while walking. Artificial waterfalls or water slides frequently used at water parks during vacation can also strain the back. In the case of artificial waterfalls, 2 to 3 tons of water pour down from a height of 4 to 5 meters at once, increasing pressure upon impact and causing significant shock to the neck and back. Water slides accelerate as you descend, putting more pressure on the discs than usual, and the landing point where you suddenly plunge into the water can cause impact from hitting the water surface. People who have previously suffered from neck or back disc problems should be cautious as even minor impacts can cause pain.

If pain caused in this way persists for more than three days or becomes severe enough to make movement or walking difficult, spinal microfracture should be suspected. Microfractures refer to thin cracks in the bone caused by falls or external impacts. Spinal microfractures are so subtle that they are often not visible on X-ray imaging. However, if considered tolerable and left untreated, the fractured vertebra can gradually collapse, leading to spinal kyphosis, so caution is necessary.

Director Jeon said, "Since spinal microfractures are mild fractures, symptoms improve initially with wearing a brace and taking anti-inflammatory painkillers," but added, "If mild symptoms are neglected and spinal instability worsens with nerve compression causing paralysis, surgery becomes the only treatment option."

Be Careful of Acute Disc Herniation Caused by Sudden Impact

Acute disc herniation caused by sudden impact is also a condition to be cautious of during vacation periods.

Acute disc herniation is caused by excessive exercise or sudden impact. It is a condition where the disc suddenly slips backward, causing severe back pain. Intense pain occurs due to sudden impact or strain on the lower back. If the pain gradually radiates down to the buttocks and symptoms such as pulling or numbness in the thighs or legs appear, it should be suspected.

During summer vacations, acute disc symptoms can appear if a strong impact is applied to the back while enjoying water sports or leisure sports. The risk of acute disc herniation is especially higher for those who usually lack exercise, have poor back health, or whose ligaments or muscles around the back are contracted or stiffened and cannot function properly.

Director Jeon advised, "Although the causes of acute disc herniation are similar to spinal trauma such as spinal microfractures, the pattern of pain progression differs. If the sensation of pulling and numbness in the thighs and buttocks, or a sensation of the entire back trembling when coughing, persists for more than two weeks, it is best to visit a hospital." He emphasized that early treatment is very important because acute disc herniation can progress to chronic disc herniation if left untreated and, in severe cases, can cause paralysis of the lower body.

Treatment for acute disc herniation primarily involves conservative care. If properly managed early, about 70-80% of cases can recover initially. If pain does not improve with conservative treatment, endoscopic or microscopic surgery can be used to treat the herniated disc.

Director Jeon Jae-gyun of the Spine Center at Seoul Yes Hospital.
[Photo by Seoul Yes Hospital]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.