Experts estimate that 80% of the population are likely to suffer back problem at some point. No, this isn’t an exaggeration. At the rate people are going with the efforts they put into health and fitness, combined with their desk job, this statistics isn’t impossible at all. It is actually the leading cause of disabilities in the world. Yes, believe it or not. A lot of people nowadays have trouble doing their simple daily activities because of back pain. And because of that, absenteeism at work is usually due to back pain. Employees brave the storm, cough, cold, or fever, but when it comes to back pain they fold. This type of pain is something that will affect not just your back but as well as your energy and overall condition. What may surprise you though, is that aside from your desk job, back pain can also be caused by other diseases, smoking, aging, poor physical fitness, genetic component and (drumroll) weight gain!
Let’s focus on that last one now—weight gain. Who would have thought that it can even cause back pain? Usually, back pain will be blamed on everything else but that. And on the same note, when people pack some pounds the main concern for them is their shape or figure, the once that would worry that their health may be affected would be slim to none. This may be sad but that’s just what usually happens although the minute you gain more weight beyond your ideal one, you’re already risking your overall health. You’ll actually start noticing that the more weight you put on, the more health issues are starting to pop up like pain in the body.
You're more likely to suffer from low back pain if you are overweight or obese, or quickly gain a significant amount of weight. Being overweight, especially in the mid-section, shifts your entire center of gravity forward and puts additional strain on your back muscles. Try to stay within 10 pounds of your ideal weight to avoid experiencing unnecessary back pain.
When You Carry Excess Weight, Your Spine Bears The Burden
Different people carry weight differently and on different parts of their body. However, no matter how your body distributes the weight, you cannot avoid having it in your mid-section. Protruding abdomen and increased curve in the back that happens when you have excess weight, can make you suffer from back pain since your posture shifts forward. With chiropractic adjustments, long term pain and posture issues could be avoided early on.
With The Abdominal Weight, Your Pelvis Is Forced To Slant Forward
When your abdomen enlarges because of weight gain, your lower back carries more weight and stress which could cause the pelvic imbalance. This puts a lot of stress on your nerves since your body is being forced to be on an unnatural posture. So as a result you start experiencing lower back pain.
Extra Weight Can Stretch Up Muscles And Tendons
You’re getting bigger, so it’s to be expected that your muscles and tendons will adjust and stretch out. This in turn, can put an extra strain on that muscle that leads to a backache. In a study published in the Journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, it has been mentioned that overweight adults are more likely to have degenerative discs in their lower backs.
It Leads You To A Sedentary Lifestyle Because Moving Starts Becoming Uncomfortable
Poor diet is often why you gain weight and can’t seem to lose it even when you try to exercise. Sure you’re trying to cut your portions but what exactly are you eating? Not only that technology today is making things faster and easier, it has also lead to processed foods. Once in a while hotdogs or canned goods are fine, but living your life eating only those is bad news. Processed foods are packed with a lot of chemicals that are simply not just bad for your health but also make you gain more weight.
And because you aren’t feeding your body with nutritious foods, you don’t have enough energy throughout the day. You’ll then find yourself needing to rest a lot. The problem is not only can sitting for an extended period of time cause health issues, it also a reason why you might be struggling to shed pounds since insufficient physical activity leads to that. Because of this lifestyle, some people not only continuously pack on weight but also develop musculoskeletal conditions like back pain which can make losing weight even more difficult.
If this is your case, better consult a chiropractor right away to address your condition accordingly which when treated can help you lose weight in the process. Aside from that even if you have a deskbound job and even if you go to the gym, exert more effort in finding ways to interrupt sitting or squeeze more exercise in between your day long sitting like taking the stairs to your office instead of the elevator.
No one should ever get used to back pain, as if it’s a normal part of life like sleeping and eating. Experiencing pain on your back is definitely a sign that something is wrong and your body is screaming for help. If you suspect weight gain to be the culprit, then you should start losing weight for real. But if you think you’re really doing everything you can but the weight is just not coming off, there could be an underlying reason you’re not addressing correctly. When it comes to musculoskeletal issues, it’s always best to consult a profession that specializes in it like a chiropractor. When you’ve done every home remedy you could think of and took a rest in case it was all due to stress or overworking, it could be a case for chiropractic care. This should determine if you’re suffering from any condition that is causing your back pains and hopefully treat it.