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As the weather improves, Hanoi’s parks and streets are filling up with people eager to improve their health and fitness. Runners and cyclists circle Ho Tay in the early morning, taking in its iconic skyline in pursuit of new personal bests. Under the shade of trees in the Botanical Gardens, the relaxing, soothing swish of badminton rackets permeates the evening air. Hanoi is a city that loves sport and now is the best time to get out there and put yourself to the test. With so much activity comes the risk of injury so �����ƽ��’s specialists are here to offer their expert advice!

One very common injury, especially for people starting to exercise after long periods of inactivity, is acute back pain. This is more common in people of older ages but can affect anyone, with estimates at around 80% of all people experiencing back pain at some point in their life.

It can cause significant discomfort, impacting both work and quality of life.

�����ƽ��’s Physiotherapy Specialist and Sports Injury expert Dr. Nguyen Thi Dung took time to share her tips on avoiding injury and how to react in the event of an emergency:

“Acute back pain is one of the most common reasons why individuals seek consultation with general physicians. Patients often describe the pain as stabbing, tearing, or cutting; it sometimes radiates into the lower extremities, producing “sciatic-like” symptoms. Importantly, acute LBP leads to a significant reduction in quality of life, limited participation in daily activities, and decreased work capacity.”

Dr. Le Thi Nhung, a Neurology specialist at �����ƽ��, explains,

“In most cases, acute back pain will subside when patients follow proper care methods. However, this condition can frequently recur. If left untreated after multiple recurrences, patients may face complications”. Issues may include:

• Muscle weakness
• Reduced mobility
• Sphincter dysfunction, leading to difficulty urinating or incontinence
• In more advanced stages, paralysis of both legs

Acute back pain can occur during exercise or daily activities and may stem from various causes, including:

• Lumbar disc herniation
• Infectious arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Tumours compressing the lumbosacral area
• Overexertion or physical strain
• Injuries from accidents, falls, or strong impacts during sports
• Job-related factors: sitting or standing for extended periods
• Sudden movements causing misalignment of the spine and discs

For acute back pain, proper management of inflammation, stretching and proper preparation for exercise can alleviate symptoms and, in most cases, does not require further treatment. However, should you need a more rigorous course of treatment, �����ƽ��’s physiotherapy specialist, Dr. Dung, is on hand to tailor a bespoke program to suit your precise needs. She advises the following to help keep back pain away in future too:

• Regular Exercise in your lifestyle helps minimise future episodes of back pain.
• Choose a form of exercise that you enjoy and are likely to stick with.����
• 150 mins of moderate intensity exercise (slightly breathless) or 75 mins of vigorous exercise per week is recommended. 10,000 steps per day is the recommended step count if walking is your preferred exercise.
• Stretching exercises help maintain the flexibility and mobility of your back.

Whether you are embarking on a new journey into the fitness world or are a veteran of competitive sport, �����ƽ�� can help you understand your body more and find the healthiest path to avoiding, and recovering from, injuries.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, please contact �����ƽ�� via our hotline at 024 3577 1100, message us on Facebook at "�����ƽ��," or connect with us on Zalo at zalo.me/2008009049335817955