Scientists have recently discovered that the massive lifestyle changes during this time of transformation at work led to spinal changes and back pain. And it was the Neanderthals who made this discovery possible for researchers.
For many years, scientists hypothesized that the way the vertebrae in the spines of Neanderthals and modern humans — Homo sapiens — wedged together was fundamentally different.
There was less curvature in the lumbar region of Neanderthals' backs vertebrae than in the lower backs of modern humans. They were, however, mistaken.
New research in PNAS Nexus has revealed that researchers were comparing the wrong models, and they are correcting the record now.
Modern back pain The majority of anthropologists' knowledge of human spines is based on skeletons from the late nineteenth century or later, roughly a century after the start of the Industrial Revolution.
More than 300 spines from around the world were recently compared by researchers.
These included specimens that had been collected prior to as well as after the Industrial Revolution. Then they compared them to the spines of Neanderthals.
People with more lumbar wedging in vertebrae after the Industrial Revolution had the most significant differences in lower back curvature between pre-industrial and post-industrial spines, according to the researchers.
However, the spines of Neanderthals and pre-industrial humans were nearly indistinguishable, regardless of where the samples came from.
Fewer and fewer people worked in physically demanding jobs as the Industrial Revolution progressed. Agriculture-related work was displaced by factory and office jobs that required repetitive tasks.
Most manual labour, even today, promotes poor posture and interferes with the development of strong muscles and a strong back.
Human bodies began to be supported by affordable furniture that became more widely available. Before people began talking about designing and arranging things in such a way that they could interact with objects more efficiently and safely, the term "ergonomics" entered the lexicon several centuries after the start of the industrial revolution.
This new information suggests that Neanderthals had more in common with modern humans in terms of posture and movement than previously thought.
People were able to walk on two legs because of the inward curvature of the lower spine.Researchers Now Believe Neanderthals Walked More Like Us Than Previously Thoughton their lumbar curvature, which is more similar to ours than previously thought.
Then again, they probably didn't have as much pain as we do today because they weren't hunched over desks and computers or fixed in place in front of a production line.
Back pain affects who?
Lumbago, the colloquial term for lower back pain, is not a medical diagnosis in and of itself. It can be a sign of a wide range of medical conditions.
The most common cause is a problem with the lower back, specifically one or more of the following: muscles and tendons discs vertebral articulations nerves referring to the vertebral bodies or vertebrae that comprise the spine If the kidneys or another nearby organ are malfunctioning, this could also be the cause.
Approximately 75 to 85 percent of Americans will experience back pain in their lifetime, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Within a year, 50% of those will have another episode.
90% of the time, the pain subsides without surgery. If you're having problems with your back, you should see a doctor.
Treatment of back pain In the vast majority of cases.
Back pain can be managed without invasive procedures or medications. Painkillers purchased over the counter are often adequate.
Stronger treatments may be required in more serious cases, but they are almost always administered only under the close supervision of your doctor.
Medication Some of the most common treatments for back pain are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like:
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) naproxen is an anti-inflammatory drug (Aleve) Another class of pain relievers includes analgesics like acetaminophen (Tylenol). Although they lack anti-inflammatory properties, they can be used to treat back pain. Keep an eye out for ibuprofen and other pain relievers if you have kidney or stomach ulcers.
Even over-the-counter medications can have serious side effects if taken incorrectly, so never exceed the recommended dosage without consulting a doctor.
options for other medications can be found.
Source You Can Count On: Topical ointments and rubs Back pain may be alleviated by using topical products. Ibuprofen and lidocaine are common ingredients in many of these, which come in the form of:
gels lotions creams patches sprays Relaxants for the muscles Lower back pain that is accompanied by muscle spasms may benefit from the use of muscle relaxants. For pain relief, these medications work on the central nervous system.
Antidepressants In some cases, antidepressants and other medications can be used off-label for back pain treatment.
Amitriptyline, a tricycle antidepressant, may be prescribed by your doctor if your back pain is particularly severe. Nerve-related pain may also benefit from taking this antidepressant.
