News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 8 years ago
Rediff.com  » Getahead » Expert tips to care for your body

Expert tips to care for your body

Last updated on: September 17, 2015 12:17 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

"Weight loss needs a lot of patience and a good combination of diet and exercise will help you."

"Too much of exercise is not needed for weight loss; the right exercises with a good diet program will work."

Occupational therapist Dr Indu Tandon tells you how to take care of your spine, joints and bones.

Expert tips to care for your body

In an online chat with readers renowned occupational therapist addressed queries related to body fitness and offered expert advice on how to take care of one's bones and joints.

Dr Tandon also suggested healthy sitting and resting postures for the back and body.

For those who missed the chat on September 16, here's the unedited transcript:


ashok chaurasiya: Hi, for spinal back pain, if Q-SPINE CLINIC treatments are reliable as they are claiming that they are treating in root.

Pls advise i am suffering from severe back pain in my right pelvic and numbness in whole back and left leg toe,

Indu Tandon: hi ashok, have you got a MRI done to rule out any compression of nerves.

Your condition requires a good combination of electro therapy to relieve the pain and a complete back rehabilitation program which should consist of lumbar stabilization, mobilization and strengthening exercises.


Manoranjan: I am eating only black chole and cucumber at dinner..is it good diet to reduce weight?

Indu Tandon: hi manoranjan, diet is about being well balanced.

It should be right food at the right time. just chola and cucumber at dinner will not help. complete planning for the right diet through the day is more important


AMITAVA SAMAIYA: My wife has neck pain and neck is swollen also always.what should I do.

Indu Tandon: Get a cervical x-ray done to check for any spondylitis developing or loss of lordosis.

Accordingly treatment can be decided.

As of now take care that prolonged sitting or maintaining static positions like watching tv, reading a book, cutting vegetables at a stretch are avoided


Dipankar Saha: I am a 33 year old man. How to reduce weight, Now I am 85 Kg. I am going to jogging, jim and other curnces but no result.

Indu Tandon: hi dipankar, weight loss needs a lot of patience and a good combination of diet and exercise will help you.

Too much of exercise is not needed for weight loss. the right exercises with a good diet program will work.


SriMadhuri Vardhinedi: Actually, I never took cold fermentation till date. Can you please suggest the process for me?Thank You

Indu Tandon: You get ice packs in the chemist. just place it in the fridge and use


svlengg@rediffmail.com: hi while purchasing stuff for food i noticed on package kcal is 462 per 100g n fats is 0 here what i have to look kcal or fat ?

Indu Tandon: hi, its important for me to know the product you are selecting depending on which what has to be looked for can be decided.

In case you are looking out for a weight loss product just fat 0 % is not important. it is important to look into the sugar content in the carbohydrate section which should be low.


AMITAVA SAMAIYA: I am uric acid pain on my toes. what should i do.

Indu Tandon: hi amitava, if your uric acid is high you need to reduce protein intake in your food.

Drink a lot of water and medicines like zyloric or goutnil will help you. please do consult your orthopedic before you take any medicines.

Cold fermentation for the affected area 3-4 times a day will help


SriMadhuri Vardhinedi: I am a 38 year old woman. No kids and No marriage. Have been slim and healthy all these years but have been experiencing knee pain for the past 2 weeks. Please help.

Indu Tandon: hi madhuri, respecting your knee pain is very important. do not push it without getting it assessed by a physiotherapist or an orthopedic surgeon.

Knee strengthening exercises at your age are very important.

I suggest you do them for 3-4 weeks before starting to jog again. Exercises like static quadriceps, leg raises, calf raises, hip muscle strengthening, are very important.

When you get back to walking and jogging, ensure that you are wearing proper footwear. 15 mins of cold fermentation 3 times a day will help you currently


balaji: Hi doc. My MRI for the back taken couple of years shows a gap between L4 and L5. Took physio therapy earlier.

Now again it re-surfaced.

Is physio therapy is the only solution, apart from maintaining my back with all suggested methodologies as per ortho doc. Pl suggest

Indu Tandon: hi balaji, physiotherapy for a disc problem is the most important part of your treatment.

As I read your problem has resurfaced. I recommend to get your strengthening exercise regime re evaluated by a physiotherapist.

The exercise regime should cover core strengthening, stabilisation exercises for the lumbar, strengthening for the upper and lower limbs and correct postural techniques.


anil:What treatments are available for parkinson's disease? Is there any treatment in ayurveda or homeopathy.

Indu Tandon: hi anil, rehabilitation therapy which includes occupational therapy and physiotherapy is very very important for such cases.


Diamond Fernandes: Hi... I am getting pain in my knees when I climb the staircase. Is it advisable to take calcium tablets and how many should I take per day.

Indu Tandon: hi diamond, more important is to get an x-ray done to rule out osteoarthritis.

In case it shows signs of early osteoarthritis strengthening exercises are more important for the knee. if your bone density shows less calcium then i suggest you can start taking them


Vinu Murthy: hello doctor, I have a pain in my ankle,i visited a doctor he gave me an injection and some pills for two days there was no pain , but now again my ankle has started paining, what should i do?

Indu Tandon: hi vinu, it's important for me to know whether the injection was a steroid shot and what is the diagnosis given to you by the doctor. ice packs, cold fermentation for 15 mins 3 times a day might help you


bhavesh shah: I am having lower back issues whenever i lift anything, what should i do?

Indu Tandon: hi bhavesh, do get yourself assessed for any spinal problem you are developing and i suggest you follow the right ergonomic principles while lifting.

Which would include bending your knees and then picking up any object. the object should be close to your body to avoid low back strain


Vijay Khantwal: Hi... actually my brother suffering from brain haemorrhage and kidney problem, he can't speak, right hand and leg not working last 8yrs, treatment is going on, but conditions are same at it is, can you suggest something better for his future??? 

Indu Tandon: hi vijay, i would want to know more about the patient's conditions and the treatment on before commenting.

There is a very important role which physiotherapy and occupational therapy plays in the recovery of such cases.


sneha shetty:I feel severe pain in my knee cap if i sit for a long time in one place, for eg in my office, when i get up i get a vibration kind of feeling in my knee cap, any advice.

Indu Tandon: hi sneha, this looks like the start of osteoarthritis of the knee.

I recommend you get an x-ray done to check for the same. Maintaining sitting position for a long time strains your knee, so there is a need to change the position of the leg every 10 mins, especially before getting up after prolonged sitting. strengthening exercises for the knee at this stage are very important


kriti sethi: The patient receiving OT and PT, is it medically covered?

Indu Tandon: hi kriti, yes it is covered in your medical insurance post hospitalisation


Megha Nambiar: How to care for your spine -- pls discuss correct sleeping and sitting postures

Indu Tandon: Hi Megha, the most important thing for your back is not to maintain any static positions for more than 20 minutes continuously.

A correct sitting position requires your back to be at an angle of around 100 degrees with your hip, knee and foot in a 90 degree position.

Make sure that the low back arch is supported where you can use a small towel roll or a small pillow.

The back of the knee should not be touching the chair completely and the feet have to be planted on the floor.

Correct sleeping position, the best position for the back is lying on the back with the knee bend or you can lie sidewards supporting the top leg on a pillow.

This is for a normal individual without any spine problems. in case of a problem there may be a need for modifications


Imran Farooqui: Hi doctor. I have severe back pain since the last 4 months. Pls tell me what to do?

Indu Tandon: hi Imran, the reason for the severe back pain is very important, depending on which the treatment can be decided.

I suggest you consult an orthopedic surgeon or a rehabilitation therapist for the same.


Lead image used for representational purposes only. Image: sean dreilinger/Wikimedia Commons

>Click here for more health and fitness features!

 

Get Rediff News in your Inbox: