It is no secret that carrying around excess body weight, especially as we age, can cause a number of health problems from heart and pulmonary diseases and diabetes to back and joint pain. Surplus poundage puts extra stress on organs, like the heart, and on joints in the low back, hips, and knees. Over half (62%) of American adults are overweight or obese, according to recent studies. That is a gigantic number and a huge problem (no joke).

Excess weight, in the form of body fat, overburdens the structure of the human body. It was not designed for the added. The musculoskeletal system can literally be put on overload with only an additional 20 or 30 pounds. For example, in an effort to compensate (counterbalance) for weight in the belly, the pelvis tilts forward. This causes joints in the low back to compress. Joint compression inhibits nerve function and produces painful inflammation. Most individuals who are overweight suffer from low back pain caused by a pinched sciatic nerve or misalignments of the spinal column that impinge nerves due to weight-bearing stresses. Misaligned vertebra can not only produce new arthritic changes in the spine, but can continue to irritate the degenerative changes that have already taken place over the years.

First of all, to be clear, a healthy body weight is requisite in order for the musculoskeletal system to perform the way it is meant to. The proper weight loss program in conjuctin with treatment relieves nerve impedence in the spine and helps to restore motion back into the joints of the musculoskeletal system, like in the low back, hips, and knees. A spine in alignment and joints that have good mobility make exercise and physical activity a lot easier. Exercise will not only help in weight reduction, but it can actually decelerate degenerative changes as a person ages.

It is always a good plan to make an appointment with a healthcare professional who's focused on the root cause of your problem. Here at Triad we have a Naturopatic Doctor, a Neurologist, and Chiropractors to discuss treatment options, diet/nutrition, lifestlye changes and treatment options for pain. We can help people get pain relief from back challenges and joint inflammation due to arthritis, but in addition we can get you started on a weight loss program and promote lifestyle changes that can aid a person in staying healthier and more active through the years. Pain and immobility due to aging don’t have to be inevitable. The human body was meant to move, to walk, even to dance, without pain, for a lifetime.

So, if you’ve been throwing your weight around and all you’ve been getting in return is back and joint pain, the physicians here at Triad can help relieve your suffering. Make an appointment today!