From sports-related strains to overuse injuries, there are a number of circumstances that can lead to lower back pain. Yet, when pain is stubborn and refuses to subside over time, it’s important to begin exploring the culprit behind the chronic discomfort. In some cases, excess weight can be to blame for an aching back. Discover more about this relationship below. 

How Does Excess Weight Affect the Back?

Often, extra weight becomes concentrated in the lower abdominal region. This weight can put extra pressure on the lower back, which can lead to muscle strain and joint pain. While overweight individuals face a moderate risk for back pain, obese individuals have the highest risk, thus suggesting that the amount of extra weight carried correlates with odds of experiencing back issues.

In addition to causing additional wear and tear on the back joints, issues related to obesity include spinal degeneration, disc issues, and arthritis of the spine. In overweight and obese individuals, discs can also become herniated, leading to a frustrating condition called sciatica, in which shooting pain and tingling can radiate into the legs.

How to Address This Type of Pain

To address the root issue of weight-related back pain, individuals who are obese or overweight should pursue a healthy weight loss program. If lower back pain makes it difficult to begin an exercise regimen, low-intensity exercises, such as swimming, yoga, or cycling, are healthy choices. These exercises should be coupled with dietary changes recommended by a healthcare provider to achieve sustainable weight loss. In the meantime, people with persistent back troubles can seek out immediate relief through solutions such as therapeutic muscle stretching, chiropractic adjustments, realignments, and additional therapies, if needed.

If your lower back pain is preventing you from leading a healthier lifestyle, the professionals from Ark-La-Tex Health Center in Texarkana, AR, can help. Offering customized chiropractic care suited to each patient’s individual needs, this center is also a full-service medical clinic and provides weight loss programs along with therapeutic solutions for back pain relief. Browse through their treatments online or call (870) 773-7246 to schedule an appointment today.