Obesity is becoming one of the most common causes of back pain issues as it progresses each year. This is primarily due to our diets, nutrition (or lack thereof), and not exercising enough. Obesity will often lead to back pain and back injury. For this reason, and many more health reasons, it’s important to set goals to lose weight where you eventually reach a healthy weight for your height and gender. Read on to learn more about the dangers of obesity and how it can cause harm in more ways than one.
Obesity May be Causing Your Pain, & You May Not Even Realize It
If you’re obese, you may have aches and pains all over your body, yet especially in the lower back regions of your body. This area of your body carries a lot of the weight, even for healthy individuals. When you add on a n extra one-hundred pounds on top of what you body is qualified for, you will very likely experience discomfort at the very least. This discomfort may in turn cause you to walk with a gait, injure yourself inadvertently, or even cause you to become walker or wheelchair bound if your obesity becomes out of control. All of these factors are extremely dangerous to your health and must be addressed immediately.
Excess Weight is Extremely Strenuous On the Human Body
Whether it’s your breathing, your general movement, or even your basic ability to maintain stamina for tasks such as walking up and down the stairs in your home; obesity affects it all. This excess weight is quite literally weighing you down. Forget the superficial aspects of obesity, we’re here to focus on how it’s affecting your internal body. Obesity is a killer. We realized this fact a while ago when numerous studies such as this study, discussing the dangers of obesity at any age and how much it truly costs everyone involved.
Many Back & Spine Conditions are Related to Obesity
As obesity affects the body negatively, many back and spine conditions may begin to develop over time. These conditions may consist of the following:
•Sciatica
•Herniated Disc(s)
•Pinched Nerve(s)
•Bulging Disc(s)
•Osteoarthritis
•Piriformis Syndrome
Most of these conditions can be readily avoided with proper bodily care, nutrition, and consistent exercise.
Taking Action Against Your Obesity
The best way to control obesity is to take personal responsibility for your health. This is often the most difficult aspect of confronting obesity. Beginning the process by identifying problem areas in your life is a great, first step.
Proper Nutrition
The majority of our health comes from the kitchen, meaning “we are what we eat”. If you’re going to consume garbage food all day, every day; you’ll certainly begin to feel like garbage. If you choose healthy, real foods for all of your meals; you’ll begin to lose weight and better fulfill your nutritional needs. Real foods consist of healthy fruits, vegetables, proteins, carbohydrates, etc… It’s preferable to eat organic whenever possible, but even if you’re not willing to pay the extra price for organic foods, eating real foods will still suffice. Avoid processed foods and prepackaged foods as much as possible. Bring it back to the basics of food and nutrition, and your body will thank you many times over.
Light Exercise
Any form of movement is better than not moving. Our bodies were made to be active. Even if you’re just taking a walk in the morning and evening around the neighborhood, you’ll start to feel the positive effects of simply moving. With light, consistent exercise and a healthy, whole food diet; you’re going to see positive improvements throughout your life in the form of weight loss and greater levels of self-confidence.
Physical Therapy
As you begin to lose weight, you may require physical therapy to “fine tune” your body back to its original, healthy state. There’s nothing wrong about requesting help along the way when you’re on a weight loss journey. Our in-house physical therapists will be able to show you the right stretches, techniques, and exercises to have your physical health back on track.
Being Evaluated by Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants if You’re Experiencing Lasting, Chronic Pain
If you’ve found your back, neck, or spine pain is still bothersome after losing weight, incorporating exercise into your daily routine, and eating healthy; you’ll want to be seen by one of our specialists. We’ll be able to help diagnose the issue at hand and have you back to health as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon and we’re eager to begin assisting you on your journey towards greater health and wellness.
DISCLAIMER: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.