As a Chiropractor in San Diego, I counsel many individuals who come to my clinic who want to lose weight. I know how hard it can be, and I also know how important it is to lose those extra pounds. Before you decide to add a little more “stretch” to the fabric in your wardrobe, there are some things that you should know regarding those few extra pounds you may have gained. Over the years, they can add up to a large number of health issues from heart and pulmonary diseases and diabetes to back problems and joint degeneration. Extra pounds put undue stress on organs, like the heart, and on joints in the low back, hips, and knees. A shocking 62% of American adults are overweight or obese, according to recent studies. That is a very significant percentage and a truly gigantic problem (no pun intended).
Though we try to pretend otherwise, most of us know that the human body has not evolved to transport overplus poundage in the form of body fat. Just an additional 20 or 30 pounds can, in point of fact, overload and even overwhelm the musculoskeletal system. Extra weight in the tummy, for example, makes it necessary for the body to compensate (counterbalance the weight) by tilting the pelvis forward. This angle produces compression in the joints of the low back. Joint compression impedes nerve activity and causes painful inflammation. Most men and women who have a “spare tire”suffer from low back pain generated by a pinched sciatic nerve or spinal misalignments that restrict nerves due to weight-bearing stresses. If left untreated, misaligned vertebra not only persist in irritating the degenerative changes that have already taken place, but can create new arthritic changes in the spine in the future.
You’ll be happy to hear that chiropractic treatment can help. Perhaps, it should go without saying that a moderate body weight is essential in order for the musculoskeletal system to perform in the way it is built to. That said, in addition, chiropractic adjustments relieve nerve restrictions in the vertebral column and help to get movement back into the joints of the musculoskeletal system, particularly in the low back, hips, and knees. And, certainly exercise and physical activity are a lot easier, and healthier for the body, when the spine is in alignment and the joints have good motion. The added benefit of exercise the, in addition to helping with weight reduction, it can actually inhibit degenerative changes as the body ages.
It is always a good idea to talk over your diet and exercise alternatives with a healthcare professional, like your chiropractor. In addition to helping men and women suffering from back pain and joint inflammation, chiropractors offer qualified guidance regarding the particular lifestyle corrections that can help an individual to stay healthier, more vigorous, and more active through the years. It isn’t a foregone conclusion that arthritis and immobility are an unpreventable part of the aging process. The human body was designed for a lifetime of pain-free movement.
So, if those extra pounds have been sneaking up on you, and they’ve turned into a surprising load of pain, as your San Diego chiropractor and someone who understands, I can help. Make an appointment today!
