A Wuhan resident recently drove over 2,000 kilometers to another city for a trip. Near the end of the journey, he experienced severe pain in his lower back and legs, making it difficult to drive, so someone else had to take the wheel. Experts warn that self-driving tourists should get out of the car and rest every one or two hours during the trip. This helps avoid driver fatigue and is also beneficial for lumbar spine health.
Ms. Zhou, 29, is a hotel manager who wears formal attire and high heels every day. Recently, she drove to cities such as Shanghai and Ningbo for a vacation. By the end of the trip, she was suffering from intense pain in her lower back. After an examination at Wuhan Central Hospital, it was found that she not only had a herniated lumbar disc but also lumbar osteophyte formation.
Ma Zhaoyang, director of the Rehabilitation Department at Wuhan Central Hospital, stated that lumbar spine diseases are typically more common after the age of 40, but there is now a serious trend toward younger patients. Women who care about their appearance often wear high heels, which keep the lumbar spine under constant pressure without rest. White-collar workers who sit at desks for long periods are prone to lumbar spine problems. Prolonged driving can also cause strain on the lower back. The combination of these factors contributes to the high incidence of lumbar spine diseases.
Ma Zhaoyang reminds women who care about their appearance to reduce the amount of time they spend wearing high heels and to avoid wearing heels higher than 7 centimeters. Patients recovering from lumbar spine diseases should avoid re-injury — and if symptoms such as pain or numbness occur, they should seek proper rehabilitation treatment.