When we think of pain, we may think of conventional treatment methods such as medication, or we might think of alternative modalities such as chiropractic care. One pain prevention solution is not necessarily easy, but it’s incredibly effective and improves the health of the entire body: weight loss. It’s more likely that you will experience back pain if you are overweight, so healthy lifestyle modifications and medical weight-loss plans have been proven to alleviate pain.
Obesity, back pain & lower back pain
Of course not everyone who is overweight is obese. However, looking at what happens to the back in obese individuals provides a sense of how having too much weight on the body can cause problems, so we understand how weight loss can help.
The American Obesity Association has found that various types of pain, especially back pain, occur in over 30% of US citizens within the obese range . It makes sense when you think about it: excess weight puts additional stress on the muscle and other tissue of your back. The spine can also become compressed in response to too much weight, which can in turn cause it to curve.
Types of back pain in overweight people
Specifically lower back pain (LBP) is frequently experienced by people who are obese. If you have unnecessary weight in the abdomen, your pelvis will shift forward, putting pressure on the small of the back. Women who are pregnant may suffer from similar back problems, but for them it’s unavoidable; overweight individuals can get in shape for pain prevention, so they no longer have to deal with chronic aches.
One type of problem that occurs with greater frequency in overweight patients is disc herniation. Essentially, components within the spine can become overworked and start to deteriorate in their efforts to hold up the excess weight. Herniated discs can cause sciatica and general back pain. Nerves can become pinched as well, when additional pounds get jammed in between the bones toward the base of the back.
If an overweight person has osteoarthritis, the pain created by that condition can become worse than in the body of a person who is in shape. Also, it’s more prevalent for overweight patients: anyone who has a Body Mass Index (BMI) that is over 25 is at greater risk of arthritis than are those in the healthy range.
The truth is, weight loss isn’t easy. Weston Medical can help. Because we specialize in both multidisciplinary pain management and medical weight loss, we have a broad array of expertise from two different angles. Call us today.
