Bulging bellies and numbers that tip the scales are alarmingly becoming the norm. But those extra pounds can lead to back pain because of the strain that excess weight puts on the body. Think of a jam-packed car and picture the car’s tyres bulging and weakening from supporting excess weight. That’s what happens to your spinal discs when you’re overweight. Excess body weight puts added pressure on the intervertebral discs, which can lead to the accentuation of the spinal curves and a significantly increased risk of injury.
So forget about aiming to look good in those new pair of jeans or striving for a beach body ready for the summer. If you really want motivation to lose weight this year, look no further than your spine health.
Here are some great tips from our Stoke on Trent chiropractor to help you drop the pounds – and the risk of back pain – this year:
1: Get On the Move
Don’t believe the myth that inactivity helps back pain. It doesn’t! Regular exercise can play a major role in your back pain management, and of course, your weight loss.
Why not find a workout partner to help keep you motivated? It’s important to stay committed. The more regularly you exercise and the fitter you become, the stronger and healthier your spine will be.
Stop exercising and contact your doctor if your back pain gets worse or you develop new symptoms during/ after exercise.
2: Watch Your Portion Sizes
We all know that eating too many unhealthy foods is likely to lead to weight gain. But over eating healthy foods can also push you a few notches back on your belt too! Remember that every extra pound on the scale is another pound of strain on your spine.
Try to eat a balanced diet containing plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Nutritious fats can also help you lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight.
3: Sleep
There is no easier and more effortless way to shred those pounds than getting your forty winks! During sleep, your body regulates vital hormones, such as cortisol. But if you don’t get enough quality sleep, your body produces too much cortisol which can cause your body to contain more abdominal fat.
Inadequate sleep can also lead to stress and unhealthy choices, such as poor eating habits. (Many people would reach for the biscuit tin rather than the fruit bowl of cookies rather than when they’re feeling run down and stressed, for example). Make sure you do something relaxing every day and treat sleep as one of your best routes to good back health.
Follow these tips and you’ll have a much slimmer chance of developing back pain.