As a holistic treatment method, chiropractic care looks at the whole body instead of one or two symptoms. Any issues related to back, neck, and sciatica problems, therefore, take contributing factors such as lack of exercise and weight gain into consideration. Here, learn how weight loss positively affects chiropractic care to help with common issues such as balance and range of motion.

Why Weight Loss is an Important Part of Chiropractic Care

Reduces Joint Pressure & Related Issues

Excess weight stresses the body in many ways, including putting pressure on the joints. For example, the knee joints enjoy a four-pound decrease in pressure, or joint load, for every pound an individual loses. The knees bear forces greater than one and a half times the person’s body weight when walking on level ground, a pressure that increases when walking on steep terrain.

Other joints also deal with extra stress because of excess weight, including those in the hips, feet, and ankles. It can cause foot arches to collapse because ligaments and tendons weaken under the weight. Ligaments can also become inflamed, increasing the risk of heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Added pressure on the ankles causes problems because the cartilage—the flexible connective tissue between bone joints—wears out and can make ankle arthritis likely. Hips sustain greater wear and tear with additional weight, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis and the need for hip replacement surgery.

Since the knees, ankles, feet, and hips feature weight-bearing joints, added weight impacts balance and alignment, resulting in range of motion and movement issues. Injury risk increases as well because the body does not enjoy normal flexibility and coordination.

Decreases Risk of Degenerative Disc Disease

Obesity heightens the chance of degenerative disc disease. This common age-related condition occurs when one or more discs that support the spinal column break down, causing the discs to lose spinal fluid and the ability to absorb shock efficiently when the back bends and flexes, resulting in stiffness and pain.

Discs can also become herniated from degenerative disc disease, meaning they bulge from the spinal column, causing more pain as well as nerve damage, numbness, and weakness. The extra weight forces discs to compensate for the additional pressure, making weight loss one of the best ways to reduce complications from this condition. 

Discuss a weight management plan as part of chiropractic care with Team-Health Chiropractic in Saint Louis, MO. Offering walk-in services for established patients, this chiropractic clinic also provides flexible scheduling and injury rehabilitation services. Call (314) 567-9990 today to make an appointment or learn more about chiropractic care services online.