Early Signs of Spinal Disorders in Working Professionals

It’s been hours in that chair.

Right?

You sit at your workstation, open your laptop, and dive into emails, deadlines, and meetings. Hours pass before you realize—you haven’t moved in a long time. And somewhere in that chaos, you didn’t even realise you hadn’t stood up or moved in hours.

Yes, you might call it dedication, but it’s more than motivation at stake here. It’s your none other than health, especially your spine.

Long sitting hours put working professionals like you at risk of spinal problems. Hence, if your job keeps you sedentary, it’s important to recognise the early signs of a spinal disorder.

But first, let’s understand how sitting too much can silently lay a red carpet for serious health issues, such as a spinal disorder.

Read Aslo: A Closer Look at Types of Spine Surgery

Health Conditions Due to a Sedentary Lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle is far from harmless. It increases the risk of several health issues, including:

• Obesity
• Heart Disease
• Weak Bones
• Anxiety
• Spinal Disorders

In this blog, we will focus on spinal disorders and what are its early signs.

Read Aslo: What is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?

Spinal Disorders and Their Early Signs

Think of your spinal cord as the main electrical cable running down your back. It carries essential signals between your brain and the rest of your body.

If anything like long sitting, injury or disease troubles the spine, your body’s communication system gets messed up, leading to a spinal disorder. Spinal disorders are also known as back problems.

Spinal disorders encompass a wide range of conditions affecting your spine and its parts, like vertebrae, spinal cord, and surrounding tissues.

Below are some of the spinal conditions and the signs to look out for:

1. Slipped Disk or Herniated Disk

• In this cushion between your back bones (also known as vertebrae) bulge outward.
• Early signs: Arm or leg pain, tingling, or numbness → often worsens after long sitting at work.

2. Cervical Spondylosis or Neck Wear & Tear

• Neck bones and disks can wear down.
• Early signs: Stiff or painful neck, difficulty moving head → common in professionals working long hours on computers.

3. Osteoarthritis of the Spine

• The smooth padding on the backbones wears out, causing the bones to rub together.
• Early signs: Stiffness, back pain that worsens with activity, or grinding sensations.

4. Spinal Stenosis or Narrowing of the Spine

• The space for the spinal cord shrinks. This squeezes the nerves.
• Early signs: Tingling, pain, or weakness in arms or legs, feeling heavy or tired when walking.

5. Sciatica

• Pressure on the sciatic nerve (lower back to the leg).
• Early signs: Sharp, shooting pain starting in the lower back or buttocks and radiating down to one leg.

6. Scoliosis or Sideways Curve of the Spine

• The spine bends sideways, usually starting in childhood.
• Early signs: Uneven shoulders and hips looking uneven.

7. Kyphosis or Forward Curve of the Spine

• Spine bends too far forward.
• Early signs: Rounded or hunched back, back pain, tiredness when standing.

8. Spondylolisthesis or Slipped Vertebra

• A backbone slides out of place.
• Early signs: Back pain that worsens with activity, tight hamstrings, in severe cases, numbness in the legs.

Read Aslo: Spine Surgery: Who Can Benefit from It

Conclusion

Your spine supports posture, balance, and movement. But long sitting hours, poor ergonomics, and sedentary jobs can silently damage it. If you notice persistent back pain, stiffness, or nerve symptoms, don’t ignore them—seek timely care. For expert evaluation, consult specialists at IBS Hospital, home to the best spine doctors in Delhi.

By -Dr Aaksha Shukla | August 26, 2025 | 9 Min Read