Feel Better Through Weight Management
By Dr. Tiffany T. Butler, D.C. | January 9, 2023 | Read Time: 8 minutes
“A year from now, you will wish you started today.” (Unknown)
No one likes to talk about their weight. For most people, it is a sensitive topic, especially if you have struggled with your weight most of your life. It’s never easy to talk about it, however, we can’t avoid this topic any longer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “About 1 in 5 children and more than 1 in 3 adults struggle with obesity.” Obesity is a serious health condition and more importantly, a public health problem. Research shows that obesity is linked to inflammation, a normal immune response to the presence of a pathogen, or injury to body tissues. Scientists have discovered that almost all human health diseases are linked to inflammation.
Therefore, obesity places an individual at risk for developing other health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, and more. A person who is obese is also more likely to get sick compared to a person who is of normal weight. The reason is, their body is already in an inflammatory state, thus making it harder to fight off new infections and more susceptible to becoming ill.
One of the causes of chronic back pain is being overweight or obese. Obesity is defined as the accumulation of excessive body fat. The human body frame is designed to carry a specific amount of weight. Carrying around excessive weight makes the body work harder than it needs to thus put extra strain on the heart, lungs, muscles, bones, and joints. How do you know when inflammation is present? When inflammation is present most people generally experience pain. Pain is an unpleasant sensation. Inflammation contains substances that irritate tissues. Inflammation is a normal immune response to an infection, tissue damage, or injury. However, prolonged inflammation can lead to many health problems.
In the case of chronic low back pain, the increase in abdominal fat creates an excessive strain on the soft tissue structures (such as the ligaments, tendons, muscles, and intervertebral spinal disc), as well as on the hard tissue structures (such as the joints). The spinal column has normal curves that allow the equal distribution of weight through the spine, with the majority of the being placed on the vertebral body and the intervertebral disc. With the increase in fat in the abdominal region, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the lower back become tightened or contracted, to prevent the person from falling forward because of the extra weight in the abdomen. Hence, the reason why people who have excessive abdominal fat have a tendency to lean backward. This abnormal postural position, leaning backward (or hyper-extension) of the lumbar spine (lower back), places stress on the joints of the spine called the zygapophyseal joints. The zygapophyseal joints are not weight-bearing joints, as a result, the joints begin to wear out over time, thus leading to inflammation, pain, and joint dysfunction. Prolonged inflammation of the spinal joints can lead to osteoarthritis, a chronic degenerative disease of the spine, due to the destruction of the joints.
If you want to reduce lower back pain, consider managing your weight. The goal is not to be skinny, it is to obtain a weight that allows your body to function optimally without placing unnecessary stress on your body. We all know our bodies. We know what it feels like to move freely without extra effort or strain. We also know what it feels like to be sluggish, tired, and fatigued because of carrying extra weight. One of the reasons people seek chiropractic care is because of back pain. While it is easy to simply provide chiropractic care to patients, it is more effective to provide patients with health education which includes weight management. During the initial chiropractic consultation with new patients, I make sure to review their social history including – their occupation, lifestyle behaviors such as substance use (e.g. tobacco, alcohol), sleeping habits, as well as whether they are physically active. All are important factors that can contribute to the cause of back pain. Depending on your body frame, achieving a healthy body fat percentage is worth obtaining especially if you are suffering from chronic health conditions such as back pain, diabetes, or heart disease.
3 Reasons Why Losing Weight Can Help Relieve Back Pain
#1: You Experience Less Pain
Losing weight can oftentimes alleviate pain in the weight-bearing joints, including the spine, hips, and knees. The bones are covered with cartilage which provides cushion, support, and protection from joint wear and tear. However, in the presence of excessive weight, the cartilage begins to wear-down, down slowly, thus leading to inflammation, pain, and joint dysfunction. As you begin to lose weight, you may notice less pain, especially when you are moving or performing weight-bearing activities such as walking, standing, or sitting.
#2: You Can Move Better
If you are experiencing less pain, you tend to move better. With less pain present, you will discover that moving is a lot easier. As you begin to move better, the once-tightened muscles, tendons, and ligaments become more relaxed. An increase in movement, will naturally “pump” or move inflammation out of the area.
#3: You Feel Better
We all know how great it feels to not experience pain. Pain can literally rob you of your happiness and peace. Most people who experience chronic pain have concluded that they may never be completely pain-free; however, being able to manage pain in a positive way, is an achievable goal. Being able to treat and manage pain is empowering. Knowing how to manage pain can provide relief, and most importantly improve your quality of life. Less pain often leads to feeling better mentally and physically.
Dr. Tiffany T. Butler (aka “The Pain Doctor”) is a chiropractor, author, and entrepreneur. She leads Harmonious Living Chiropractic: Fitness & Wellness Center, a pain management practice, in offering healthcare solutions that focus on patient-centered care. Her team consists of individuals who are passionate about improving patient outcomes by providing chiropractic care, in conjunction with therapeutic procedures. Their services have helped hundreds of people find pain relief and improved their quality of life. To learn more about Dr. Butler visit https://www.drtiffanybutler.com/dr-butler/ Connect with Dr. Butler on social media #drtiffanybutler
