| Back Pain and Obesity | | | | You may try to dismiss the cause of some of these |
| Dr. Michael Berke, D.C. | | | | spinal disorders to the process of normal aging. It is |
| MassageMaster.net, L.L.C. | | | | true that with age body tissues can cause changes |
| According to the American Obesity Association, | | | | to spinal anatomy. However, if you are overweight |
| approximately 65 percent of adult Americans (about | | | | or obese, chances are you have, or will have, back |
| 127 million) are categorized as being overweight or | | | | pain. |
| obese. The truth is that obesity is becoming a global | | | | A sedentary lifestyle coupled with an unbalanced diet |
| epidemic. I don't want to dwell on the numerous | | | | can affect the density, or strength of the bones |
| causes of this problem (at some time in the future, I | | | | (spinal vertebrae). When the structural architecture of |
| will write helpful articles regarding this subject) but I | | | | a vertebral body is compromised, it is at risk for |
| would like to help anyone who is overweight or | | | | fracture. Vertebral fractures can be painful and |
| obese understand and fight the causes of back pain | | | | disabling. If you have been diagnosed with |
| and posture problems. | | | | osteoporosis, you have probably lost between |
| Most people know that obesity contributes to the | | | | 25-30% of desirable bone density. If the diagnosis is |
| development of coronary heart disease, diabetes, | | | | osteopeonia, bone loss has been in the range of |
| high blood pressure, and colon cancer. However, did | | | | 10-15%. |
| you know that obesity is a contributing factor to | | | | Obesity may aggravate an existing low back problem |
| back pain? Being overweight or obese can | | | | and contributes to recurrence of the condition. |
| significantly contribute to symptoms associated with | | | | Unhealthy posture accounts for neck and back pain. |
| osteoporosis, osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis | | | | A level of physical fitness is necessary to properly |
| (RA), degenerative disc disease (DDD), spinal | | | | support the spine. According to the Surgeon General's |
| stenosis, and spondylolisthesis. | | | | "Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight |
| The spine is designed to carry the body's weight and | | | | and Obesity" 40% of adults in the United States do |
| distribute the loads during rest and activity. When | | | | not participate in any leisure-time physical activity and |
| excess weight is carried, the spine is forced to | | | | less than 1/3 engage in at least 30 minutes of |
| absorb the burden, which may lead to structural | | | | physical activity most days. |
| compromise and damage. This is most applicable to | | | | Another consideration is where meals are eaten. In |
| the weight bearing joints, such as those of the | | | | 1992, 38% of the food dollar was spent on foods |
| lumbar spine, hips and knees. | | | | eaten away from home (5). It can be difficult to |
| One region of the spine that is most vulnerable to | | | | control what you eat and how the food is prepared |
| the effects of obesity is the lower back; the lumbar | | | | (e.g. fried versus broiled) at a restaurant; especially |
| spine. Lack of exercise and bodily conditioning leads | | | | 'fast food' establishments. |
| to poor flexibility and weak muscles in the back, | | | | If you are overweight, obese, or working at |
| pelvis, and thighs. This can increase the curve of the | | | | maintaining a healthy weight, there are many tools |
| lower back causing the pelvis to tilt too far forward. | | | | available to empower your efforts. First, I strongly |
| Further, this is detrimental to proper posture and as | | | | suggest you see a qualified health care practitioner to |
| posture weakens, other regions of the spine (neck) | | | | diagnose the cause of the pain. Then, aside from the |
| may become painful. Think of the mechanics of the | | | | obvious necessary weight loss, you can start a |
| back of a pregnant woman, weight (is this case a | | | | careful program of stretching and exercises |
| baby) pulls the abdomen forward, thus increasing the | | | | specifically designed for beginners. |
| curve and pressure of the lower back. | | | | |