As much as people would like to blame several things for their back pain, in many cases, it’s simply a matter of being overweight. And it’s not something anybody should take likely. Your spine is such a crucial part of your body because it forms the center of control so-to-speak. With an injured spine, you are looking at a very challenging life.
I know first hand the impact of putting on a lot of weight over the course of 18 months. Lower back pain in particular has caused me all sorts of grief. As a result of putting on the extra pounds, my back has had to carry more weight. Being a male, I found most of my weight went to my belly which puts a lot of strain on my lower back in particular. This makes going to the toilet harder, reaching my shoes near impossible and the list goes on. This is when I started to understand that my weight was actually causing me pain and grief.
That’s why you need to do everything in your power to keep your spine healthy and straight. Learn the proper way to pick up heavy weights, adapt healthier sleep positions, and sit up straight, whatever it takes to support your back, do it.
Burden Of Being Heavy With Back Problems
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Unfortunately, it only takes one weak link to bring the house of cards crashing down. In this case, it’s being overweight.
If you are struggling with the problem of excess weight like I am, you’ve probably heard or read about the complications that come with it. Apart from the extra pressure placed on heart function, you also have to take care of your knees. Plus, it can lead to diabetes, and you might constantly find yourself out of breath. I find even the simple things like doing up my shoelaces (When I could reach) to make me huff and puff.
On top of all these dangers, you are at the danger of suffering from major back pain by being overweight. The extra weight at the front creates a strong imbalance, making your spine curl when it should be straight.
This consistent “bend” in your spine typically leads to bigger problems and very bad back pain. In many cases, an inversion table is used to help relieve some of the pressure on the spine. But for larger people, these tables typically can only hold 350 pounds.
Helping The Back From Pain
There are many ways you can try to fight the pain. Your doctor can prescribe a pain killer, or you can use a special ointment or lotion, which will hopefully soothe the pain. But once the pain is there, you will have a tough time getting rid of it.
In other words, you want to prevent the pain from surfacing in the first place. And the only way to do this is by losing weight while paying attention to other posture tips.
As I’m a large person myself, I know it’s not easy at all to loose the weight. So hearing that you should loose weight is not always the best solution. What I do when I am suffering lower back pain cause from being overweight is try to relieve the pain using tools. Heat therapy and massage are a great combination when it comes to freeing up the blood cells and increasing blood flow to the back region.
Once the extra blood rushes down, it provides nutrients and oxygen to the affected areas. This helps to speed up the muscle pains. Most days I have a heat pad going on my back and I find it works wonders temporarily. For my days off, I prefer to jump in a massage chair and just relax. Forget about the weight issue and let the heated massage therapy go to work on me. This massage chair was one of the best investments I ever made, but it did cost me a fair bit up front.
What I’m Doing To Help Relieve My Back Pain From Being Overweight
Don’t be fooled by all the drama that you need to live inside the gym. Instead, take it day by day, and pound by pound. If you want to keep back pain from pestering you, or ruining your life for that matter, consider shedding a few pounds. This is my long term goal and I am not rushing it for anybody. But staying focused is very important at the same time.
How Much Am I Eating!
Thanks to the internet, you can research all the food you are currently eating. Those that shouldn’t be part of your diet can be replaced with healthier alternatives, which you can also find online.
Modern dieting isn’t like in the old days. Now, a lot of things that used to taste awful are much better, and with healthy eating comes a whole lot of options. Do yourself a favor and explore some healthy foods, because you’ll be surprised at what you find. Once I found out how many calories were in a standard beer I almost fell over. Once you do the math, it’s easy to see why the pounds add up from a few beers a day.
Trying To Be More Active
If you can’t make it to the gym, try to incorporate a more active lifestyle. A simple example would be taking the stairs instead of the elevator. If the opportunity to walk presents itself, then walk instead of drive. Walk around while talking on the phone if you have to, but avoid sitting still for long periods of time.
I work in the office for the vast majority of my time. So I am not active at all during the day. Having a few beers and some junk food was far out weighting my calorie input to calorie burned output. So in order to make this more balanced, I have invested in a Big Mans treadmill with a desk. This helps me burn calories while able to still do some work form home. I find the treadmill to be easy on my back pain which is why I went with this piece of equipment. However, there area number of other high weight capacity exercise equipment to choose form.
Getting some exercise even if its 10 to 30 minutes a day will do wonders in the long run. Try not to pressure yourself too much in the beginning. Especially if you have sore painful back muscles. Take it easy and work your way up the chain.
Does Being Overweight Cause You Back Pain?
While millions of people suffer from back pain day in day out, both overweight and underweight. What I want to know is; does being overweight cause you back pain and if so, what have you done to help relieve the pain and discomfort?. I have shared a few things I’ve tried and would look to get your opinion on the topic. Feel free to drop a comment below sharing any stories or tips you have.
Before i was heavy I had back problems but very active as back got worse worked out less n less. Now I’m told biggest solution to rid my pain is get rid of the extra weight! Ugh lots easier putting on then taking off! Stay active even if back hurts, the weight hurts way more then the workout! Keep active please! Well off to undo my own doing! It’s doable if you dedicate yourself to your health n getting better. It’s no life with pain and you’ll literally lose your life if you don’t get control of weight to get control of the pain. It’s rough but you can do it!
Hi Carrie, thanks for sharing your experience. I completely understand, a bad back makes everything harder, including exercise. So it’s very easy to minimize the pain by avoiding exercise. But then results in weight gain which can lead to further pain and conditions.