The Head of the Orthopaedic Department and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Al Ahli Hospital, Dr Emmanuel Tolessa (left), with QSTec Chairman and CEO, Dr Khalid Klefeekh Al Hajri, at the press briefing.
DOHA: Al Ali Hospital recently introduced Dr Stretch, an animated Cartoon character introducing beneficial back exercises together with Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec), at a symposium held to discuss about the prevalence and dangers of back pain.
Approximately, 80 percent of people, at least, will get back pain at some time in their lifetime. In any given society, 10 percent to 15 percent of people report having back pain. Back pain is one of the most expensive health care problems in the world.
Perhaps more disturbing than the high cost, is the fact that the treatment costs related to back pain have risen from year to year without a corresponding improvement in quality of care.
Head of the Orthopaedic Department and consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Al Ahli Hospital, Dr Emmanuel Tolessa has been working on a simple concept; an exercise regimen entitled ‘Keep Moving.’
Dr Tolessa says: “A key in preventing back pain whether it is associated to the type of work you do, to your lifestyle or to your body weight, is physical body conditioning. In my opinion, prevention is far better than cure, let us start the journey by acknowledging that basic exercise, as simple as it may seem, is the key to managing back pain. I have treated a great number of guests with mechanical and chronic back pain and I know that back pain is something that we have to come to terms sooner rather than later. “
Regular exercise to strengthen and stabilise the core muscles (the muscles around your spine and your abdomen that stabilise your spine) is important in developing a healthy back and in the prevention and/or treatment of back pain.
‘Dr Stretch’ presents a unique approach to ease the aches and strains of daily living for any person from all walks of life delivering an excellent regimen of exercises in a light hearted manner and easy to follow approach. Dr Stretch and his simple yet effective series of stretching exercises can be done in any environment.
QSTec actively promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle for its staff and the local community and is a proud supporter of this Keep Moving initiative.
“The promotion of a healthy lifestyle is extremely important to QSTec,” said QSTec Chairman and CEO, Dr Khalid Klefeekh Al Hajri.
“This initiative makes it easy for people to learn the correct techniques to keep active whether they are in their offices, at home or travelling and this will have a positive effect on our communities.”
The Peninsula
