The Connection Between Weight & Back Pain

How Excess Weight Can Cause Back Pain

Along with supporting your overall health and wellness, maintaining a healthy way could ward off unwanted aches and pains affecting the back. The health experts at Inspired Spine are here to share some of the most common culprits that may be causing your spinal discomfort.

What it Means to Be Overweight

Being overweight means consistently maintaining a bodyweight higher than what is considered healthy for your height and individual health needs. Although it is not a direct indicator of whether or not you're overweight, your body mass index (BMI) is typically used to determine if you're in the right weight range.

You can use this chart to determine your BMI, which can then fall into the following categories:

• Underweight: Below 18.5.
• Healthy weight: 18.5 to 24.9.
• Overweight: 25 to 29.9.
• Obese: Above 30.

How Weight Affects Weight-Bearing Joints

When you’re overweight or obese, that means you are placing more strain on your weight-bearing joints—including those that make up your neck and back. While it is expected to experience normal wear and tear on these joints as you continue to age, excessive weight can lead to cartilage deterioration, leading to spinal health issues much sooner in life. Weight gain can also lead to the development of pain-causing inflammation, pleasing additional pressure on your spinal nerves.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Minnesota

When it comes to aches and pains, the discomfort that affects your back can be more than just an annoyance—it can negatively affect your quality of life and your independence. At Inspired Spine, our experienced and knowledgeable spinal surgeons are dedicated to relieving your chronic back pain with the least invasive treatment possible.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our spine surgeons, call (952) 225-5266 today.