Excess weight has been known to contribute to the back pain experienced by people that are obese or overweight. These individuals are also at greater risk for muscle strain, joint pain, and back pain than individuals who are not obese, and these conditions can result in a trip to a chiropractor in Conyers for treatment.
Problems Associated with Obesity
The American Obesity Association has noted that musculoskeletal pain episodes, and specifically back pain, are common among nearly 33% of Americans who receive a classification of obese. This association has also noted that more obese individuals identify with being disabled than individuals suffering from other chronic conditions.
For overweight individuals, attention to weight loss is extremely important, as each extra pound will add strain to the ligaments and muscles of the back. The spine can become unevenly stressed or tilted as a way to compensate for this extra weight. As a result, the back can lose its support over time, and it can also result in an unnatural spinal curvature.
Overweight and obese patients can experience lower back pain and sciatica due to a herniated disc. This can occur when spinal structures and discs become damaged due to having to overcompensate from the extra weight and the pressure it places on the back. Additionally, pinched nerves can result when extra weight becomes pushed into the spaces between the lower back area and the bones.
When is Weight Loss Needed?
One way to determine when weight loss is needed is to determine an individual’s Body Mass Index, or BMI. This measure is commonly used by doctors, and it takes an individual’s height and weight into consideration. The higher an individual’s BMI, the higher likelihood that they will be classified as obese. It is also necessary to evaluate where a patient carries excess fat. This is because patients that carry this weight around their midsection will have a greater risk for problems like lower back pain.