That is because obese and overweight people are more prone to develop back disorders because of the excess weight that they are carrying. The excess weight adds pressure to the spine, hence causing back pain. If it presses on the nerve roots of the sciatic nerve, you also get sciatica. Aside from sciatica, other back problems that overweight people may develop include back strain, herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and osteoarthritis of the spine.
Obesity and/or excess weight may contribute to the cause of or exacerbate an existing neck pain, back pain or sciatica issue. The most common back condition that causes back pain and sciatica is disc herniation. Being overweight is a risk factor for developing this medical condition.
Because of excess weight in the abdominal area, the pelvis tends to tilt forward and the back tends to arch. This condition is known as lordosis. When one develops lordosis, the position of both the lumbar spine and the pelvis is changed from its normal position, and this change may contribute to the disintegration of the annulus fibrosis, which is the outer fiber that protects the nucleus pulposus, which serves as the shock absorber and cushion of the spine. As time goes by, this condition can worsen and may even lead to a complete rupture of the annulus fibrosis. When this happens, a part of the nucleus pulposus will escape, thus causing disc herniation. The back pain comes when a nerve root is compressed by the escaped disc. If the nerve root affected is that of the sciatic nerve, the patient will experience sciatica.
Aside from sciatica, the overweight person suffering from disc herniation may also develop other symptoms such as tingling, numbness, weakness, and muscle spasms.
As mentioned above, lordosis is also one of the problems that could stem out from obesity. Even if it does not fully progress to disc herniation, it can still tighten your back muscles and therefore cause back pain. Aside from back pain, you may also experience tension, stiffness, and difficulty of movement. People with lordosis also have difficulty sitting down because it further brings the pelvis forward. By performing stretching exercises, a person with lordosis can decrease the back pain that he or she feels. Moreover, constant exercise will help one lose weight, which is the cause of the condition in the first place. Good posture should also be exercised, taking one’s pelvic position into consideration. Core strengthening exercises can help develop a neutral spine alignment and flexible hips.
Two other back conditions that can also be due to obesity are spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. These two are related to each other, in that spondylolysis can lead to spondylolisthesis. The former is an overuse fracture usually developed by people who engage in competitive sports, while the latter is the slippage of a vertebra, usually happening in the lumbar level. Both of these can cause back pain because they both increase the strain on the joints that are responsible for keeping spine alignment.
Obviously, the best thing to do to prevent back pain due to excess weight is to lose weight. Obesity does not just make you prone to back ache, but it also puts you at risk of developing more serious diseases, such as stroke and heart attack. Studies also show that losing weight can significantly reduce complaints of back pain.
In order to lose weight, making lifestyle changes is necessary. You should watch out for the food you eat, making sure that you eat healthy foods in moderate amounts. Of course, you should have an exercise routine, since back exercises are said to be the most effective treatment for back pain.
One interesting exercise that you can engage in is yoga. It develops your muscular strength and flexibility. However, make sure that you have an instructor or therapist familiar with neck pain, back pain and/or sciatica so that you do not aggravate your back pain, since not all yoga exercises will be good for your back condition.
You should also engage in core stabilization training to enhance your posture and spine alignment, thereby reducing back pain. Simple stretching exercises can also do the trick. Do not forget your low-impact aerobic or cardio exercises, since these will definitely help you lose excess weight and relieve your neck pain, back pain, and/or sciatica.
For an awesome program tailored specifically for neck pain, back pain, and sciatica sufferers, go to:
The Bad Back Guy (click here)
Contact me anytime:
Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr., The Bad Back Guy
216-712-6526
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johnz@ultimatebadbackstrategies.com
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