Focus on weight loss!

We’ve talked about many aspects of health and nutrition on this blog--from lifestyle changes to dietary and behavioral shifts and everything in between, we’ve covered many ways in which folks might go about changing their lives for the better and developing a healthier body and mental outlook for the future. So what is the primary goal most people put in place when making a decision to be healthier? You guessed it: weight loss! In fact, you may remember from our blog post on New Years Resolutions that weight loss-related resolutions are by far the most popular ones being made this year. But how is it that weight loss might make an impact on spinal health and chronic pain? You’d be surprised!

In fact, while it’s well-known that maintaining a healthy weight is key to preventing a whole host of ailments including diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, the connection between obesity and back pain is not as well understood. Despite this, it is well established that overweight people are at a greater risk for back pain, joint pain and muscle strain than those who aren’t. Actually, the statistics are pretty staggering: according to the American Obesity Association, 1/3 of obese Americans report prevalence of back pain, far more than Americans of healthy weight.

This may seem obvious, and in some ways, it’s true, there’s a logical reason for the connection: extra weight around the stomach pulls the pelvis forward and strains the back muscles, especially those in the sensitive lower back region. This leads to more pain (as you might imagine)! But beyond that clear connection, there are definite links between obesity and conditions as diverse as sciatica, osteoarthritis, bulging discs, and even surgical complications! So it’s not just a common sense “more weight, more pain” concept that’s driving all those resolutions! There’s a lot to be gained from returning you body to a healthy weight that enables you to maintain the active lifestyle you need!

And though it may seem daunting, there are now so many excellent ways to slim down and get healthy that it’d be a shame to ignore them! Even if you lead the busiest of lifestyles, you can find time for short workouts that help burn fat in hugely efficient ways: check out the NY Times Seven Minute Workout we’ve previously highlighted for more info. What’s a few minutes a few times a week for a healthy future? And, of course, some weight loss techniques never go out of style: remake your diet, trading in fatty fried foods and processed sugars for natural items, with a major focus on fruits and vegetables! The benefits will extend way beyond just your waistline.

Hopefully this provides a baseline for a healthier future--one in which weight loss and activity can replace the chronic pain that so many feel. For more tips on facilitating weight loss, check out the rest of our blog at www.eastsidechirocenter.com under “Amy’s Blog.” When it comes to back pain in all its forms, and all the techniques we can think of to help you get over it, we’ve got you covered!