Back Pain: The New Smoking? Uncover the Hidden Health Risk

Back pain — it all starts as a dull ache, a twinge after a long day that’s easy to ignore, easy to normalize. But what if we told you that back pain is being compared to smoking in terms of its impact on public health?

Yes, you read that right!

This isn’t just a dramatic metaphor. Chronic back pain is quietly becoming one of the most devastating health problems of our time—and yet, most people continue to shrug it off as “just a backache.”

The Real Impact

In today’s screen-dominated, seat-bound world, back pain is no longer reserved for the elderly. It’s hitting young professionals, teens, and even children. According to the Global Burden of Disease study, low back pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability, beating out heart disease and diabetes. The numbers don’t lie, and the trend is only accelerating.

Why It’s Like Smoking

So, what makes it as dangerous as smoking?
Like smoking, back pain—whether acute or chronic—does not just stay local; it spreads its damage across your entire life. From reduced mobility and fatigue to anxiety and even cardiovascular issues, its ripple effects are often underestimated.

A cigarette visibly burns out. Back pain doesn’t—it quietly chips away at your life, hampering your future.

As a physiotherapist, I’ve seen it too many times—patients come in when their body finally screams. But the signs were there long before.

One major culprit? Modern lifestyle habits. Think slouching over laptops, scrolling with forward shoulders and neck, endless hours in chairs with zero spinal support. These habits weaken the core muscles, stiffen the spine, reduce its mobility, and, in turn, create long-term structural strain. Many respond with over-the-counter painkillers, unaware that they’re masking symptoms instead of solving the root cause.

Dr. Priyanka Borse (PT), a physiotherapist with over 5 years of experience across inpatient and outpatient departments, recently shared her observation in a conversation with Dr. Vidya Chilvery (PT) of MedBound Times. She said:

What You Can Do

The good news? You don’t need extreme measures to prevent or reverse it.

Simple daily habits can change everything.

• Get up, walk, and stretch every 30 minutes.
  

• Strengthen your core with bodyweight exercises; you can also consider joining a Pilates class.
  

• Create an ergonomic workspace—align screens, support your lower back, and choose the right chair.

Walk. Hydrate. Realign your posture and priorities.

It’s just as important to understand the psychological implications of chronic back pain. Pain rewires your brain, often leading to fear-driven immobility and emotional burnout. That’s why treating back pain needs a full-spectrum approach—one that includes movement, mindset, and education.

We need a cultural reset. Just like we banned cigarettes from public spaces, it’s time to ban ignorance around spinal health.

Schools must teach posture and movement early.

Offices should prioritize employee wellness—regular movement breaks, ergonomic assessments, and access to physiotherapists.

And as individuals, we must stop brushing off pain as a “normal” part of life.

Back pain isn’t just a personal issue. It’s a public health crisis in disguise. Like smoking, it’s preventable, lifestyle-driven, and often ignored until it’s too late. And calling it “the new smoking” isn’t alarming—it’s a warning we can’t afford to ignore.

Let’s not wait for pain to become our loudest teacher.
Let’s act early, move smarter, and protect our bodies before this quiet epidemic becomes a permanent part of our story.

By Dr. Vidya Chilvery (PT)

_MSM/DP