Health experts recommend prevention over treatment as cases of slipped discs and sciatica rise
Traffic jam between Baloch Colony Expressway and Qayyumabad Chowrangi in Karachi on Thursday. PHOTO: EXPRESS
For millions of Karachiites, motorcycles remain the most affordable and efficient means of transportation. However, health experts say the city’s dilapidated infrastructure and poor roads, riddled with potholes and uneven patches, cause serious damage to bikers’ spines.
It was 2023 when Tariq, a 37-year-old sports department employee at Sir Syed University, felt a sudden pain in his lower back. “The pain was unbearable, I couldn’t even ride my motorbike on the way home. A colleague had to drop me off,” Tariq recalls. An MRI later revealed nerve compression between his L4 and L5 vertebrae, which doctors said could lead to chronic back problems if left untreated. “The doctor asked me if I sat for long hours, but I told him I was an athlete,” Tariq explains. “That’s when he said the real reason was my daily motorcycle rides.”
Dr Faizan, a physiotherapist, explains, “If someone cycles from North Karachi to Korangi or Gulshan-e-Hadeed on a daily basis, this posture puts him under constant stress. Additionally, he notes, “continuous shaking affects spinal alignment and muscular balance.” The doctor pointed out that the poor condition of the city’s roads and the lack of maintenance of bicycle shock absorbers are leading to a worsening of the situation.
Dr. Majid, another physical therapist, notes that many of the young patients who visit his clinic suffering from back pain or slipped discs are regular motorcycle commuters. “Frequent shaking mainly affects the lower lumbar region L4, L5, S1 and S2,” he mentioned. “The spine absorbs shocks which, over time, lead to stiffness and chronic pain.”
According to the Pakistan Orthopedic Association (POA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 40 percent of adults in urban areas suffer from musculoskeletal pain. A 2022 study by Dow University also found that 60% of motorcyclists in Karachi suffer from lower back pain.
Meanwhile, during the Health Asia Expo 2025, a German product called “Spine Fitter” was introduced in Pakistan. The device is silicone-based, designed to help realign the spine and relieve tension with just 10 minutes of daily use. The Spine Fitter works by using a unique shape with parallel beads to provide mechanical stimulus and deep pressure to both sides of the spine, helping to massage and relax tight muscles and fascia.
Amjad, head of product distribution, says, “This is the first time such a product has been launched in Pakistan, and it is particularly useful for people who sit or cycle for long hours. » However, Dr Majid warns that the product is not suitable for everyone: “It is effective for younger users, but those over 50 should be careful as lying down to exercise may be difficult for them. »
Noting that exercise had the potential to alleviate the pain, Tariq says it took him more than a year and a half to recover through multiple physiotherapy and chiropractic sessions. “I tried painkillers, oils and stretching, but eventually I started playing badminton, which helped strengthen my back,” he says.
Similarly, Zahid Ahmed, 40, said he gave up cycling for a month, after developing back pain, and turned to football as a remedy. “At first the pain got worse, but with regular exercise it completely went away without pain.”
Dr Faizan, however, favored prevention rather than treatment. He noted “before medicine or surgery, correct the cause.” Plus, he said, the real solution is “maintaining your bike’s saddle and shocks, and paying attention to your posture.”
