Planning to attend the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Taipei 101? Be careful, because after standing there for many hours, you might get lower back pain. Experts tell about the dangers of untreated back pain and give tips about relieving it.
That’s Taiwanese pop diva A-mei singing one of her famous songs. It’s about dancing day and night for a whole week without getting tired. Medically-speaking, of course, that’s not possible, and your back could be calling out for help after you stand for just one night.
According to Taipei Medical University statistics, about 60-80% of Taiwan’s population has experienced some kind of back pain. Doctors say it is difficult to nail down the real cause of any back pain. However if treatment is delayed and the pain becomes worse, it can affect motor functions.
The best advice is to see the doctor if the pain goes on for more than two weeks. If the pain becomes serious, it can lead to pressure on the nervous system or, worse still, paralysis. If you must stand for hours on end, doctors say to make sure you do some stretching once every hour. Otherwise, bring a stool to sit on to avoid hurting your back.