Back and neck pain are affecting many Indians during their working years, with younger adults increasingly seeking medical care for spinal problems. Indospine Hospital in Ahmedabad has launched a public awareness campaign called #MySpineMyWorld, along with a website offering medical information on spinal health, posture, exercise and pain management.

The initiative was announced at a press conference at the Ahmedabad Management Association on Thursday, ahead of World Spine Day on 16 October. Patients treated at Indospine Hospital formally launched the website, myspinemyworld.com, in the presence of Dr Tarak Patel, Chief Spine Surgeon, and Dr Rinku Patel, an anaesthesia and pain management specialist at the hospital.

The campaign comes as research points to the widespread burden of back pain in India, where work conditions, physical activity and access to suitable treatment remain important concerns.

Indospine Hospital reviewed records of 8,789 new patients who visited between October 2022 and October 2026. According to the hospital, 41% were aged between 20 and 45 at their first visit.

The share of patients in this age group increased from 35% in 2022-23 to 43% in 2025-26. The proportion of new patients aged below 40 also rose from 23% to 30%. Women accounted for 54% of all new patients.

The hospital said 94% of patients aged 20 to 45 received treatment without hospital admission. These figures relate to the hospital’s own patients and should not be treated as estimates for Gujarat’s entire population.

Dr Tarak Patel said young professionals, homemakers and students often waited for months before seeking medical advice.

“Every day we meet young professionals, homemakers and students who have lived with back or neck pain for months before seeking help. Our own records show that more than four in ten of our new patients are now between 20 and 45, and 94% of them were treated without hospital admission. Most spine problems do not need surgery. The right diagnosis, at the right time, lets us treat the cause instead of just the pain. With #MySpineMyWorld, we want people to understand their spine, take small steps every day, and come to a doctor before a simple problem becomes a serious one.”

A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal WORK examined 97 Indian studies on low back pain. It estimated that 48% of Indians had the condition at any given time, 51% experienced it over a year, and 66% had experienced it during their lifetime. Women, rural residents and workers doing basic manual jobs had higher rates.

A separate study published in Cureus in 2025 examined 16,866 patients with low back pain across 18 Indian states. It found that 43.25% were aged 18 to 38, while women accounted for 67.71% of the patients studied.

These studies used different groups and methods, so their findings cannot be directly compared with Indospine Hospital’s records. They nevertheless show that back pain affects working-age adults as well as older people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies low back pain as the leading cause of disability worldwide. An estimated 619 million people experienced it in 2020, and the number could rise to 843 million by 2050, with much of the expected increase in Asia and Africa.

The WHO says around 90% of low back pain cases are non-specific, meaning doctors cannot identify one particular disease or structural problem as the cause. Treatment depends on the patient’s condition. Physical activity, exercise and rehabilitation can help many people recover and return to their daily routines.

Gujarat’s changing work patterns provide another reason to pay attention to spinal health. GIFT City supports about 27,000 jobs and has a target of one lakh jobs by 2030. State policies also target around 1.5 lakh additional jobs in information technology and global capability centres.

A Gujarat study of people who used computers for at least four hours daily found that 53% reported pain in the hand, neck or back. Research conducted at an Ahmedabad hospital identified prolonged sitting, frequent bending and regularly lifting more than 10 kg as risk factors for back and neck pain.

Long periods at a desk can reduce movement during the working day. Manual workers face different pressures, including repeated lifting and physically demanding tasks. Good workplace practices and regular movement can help reduce some of these risks.

Dr Rinku Patel said people sometimes rely on painkillers for too long instead of seeking advice.

“Many people try to live with pain or rely on painkillers for too long. Pain is a signal, and it deserves attention. Through this initiative, we will share practical advice on managing pain safely and explain the warning signs, such as numbness, weakness or pain that keeps you awake at night, that mean you should see a specialist without delay.”

The #MySpineMyWorld website contains doctor-reviewed articles covering six areas: Know Your Spine, Posture & Work, Move Better, Pain & Care, Myths vs Facts and Real Stories.

It also offers exercises for office workers, drivers, students and older adults, along with a two-minute self-check to help users identify habits that may strain their spines. A public pledge invites people to adopt one spine-friendly habit and share it with family and friends.

The website is intended to provide general information. A self-check cannot replace a medical examination, and persistent pain or symptoms such as numbness and weakness require appropriate medical advice.

World Spine Day has been observed on 16 October since 2008 under the coordination of the World Federation of Chiropractic. Its 2026 theme, “Spine Health for Life”, calls attention to spinal health at every age.

Indospine’s campaign will use the same theme to encourage people in Gujarat and elsewhere in India to take greater care of their backs and seek medical advice when needed. The public can join the campaign on social media using #MySpineMyWorld.

Must Read:

Inspiring Generosity: A Journey Through Spine Foundation’s Artistic Endeavours.

Revolutionising Spine Care: The Open Standing MRI at Stavya