Extra weight on the body can cause lots of physical and health issues. It can also have a huge impact on your spine, causing pain and severe issues to the spine over time.
Health & Spine Dangers
When one is obese it can lead to health issues including the development of coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and colon cancer, among a number of other things.
But did you know that obesity can also significantly contribute to spine issues such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and osteoporosis?
The spine carries the body weight and distributes the load during activity and rest. Excess weight is a burden and will cause structural damage like sciatica pain. The lower back and lumbar spine are impacted the most from the extra weight on the spine.
To prevent obesity, you will need to exercise, which will also prevent poor flexibility and weak muscles. Weakness in your posture from extra weight will lead to pain from the neck throughout the spine to lower back.
Specific Spine Conditions Caused by Obesity
Poor posture – When carrying extra weight on the body, you could suffer from an unhealthy posture. This condition leads to neck and back pain. You must always be active and participate at a certain level of physical fitness to properly support your spine.
Lower back pain – This is the most common condition due to extra weight on the body. Lower back pain can also contribute to relocating the position of your spine, leading to more severe issues.
Spinal stenosis – Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of space within the spine. The extra pressure on the nerves will lead to lower back and neck pain.
Seeking Medical Attention from a Spine Surgeon
After suffering from spinal pain and issues caused by obesity, you should seek proper treatment from spine doctors in Virginia. They will be able to properly diagnosis your condition, offering a solution tailored to you.
Located in Arlington, Virginia, the Virginia Neurosurgeons have provided specialized care to their patients since 2001, offering the most advanced neurosurgical care in a compassionate and healing environment. The team at Virginia Neurosurgeons are proud to be the leader in neurosurgery in the mid-Atlantic region and across the United States.