Some of the most common reasons for back pain include muscle strains, skeletal irregularities, and traumatic injury. While you may be suffering from one of these issues, there are varieties of other conditions and ailments that can lead to discomfort in your lower back. When you are experiencing chronic tightness, inflammation, or spasms in your lumbar area, you may be wondering if it could be related to excess body weight. Explore the possible connection between back pain and weight below, as well as how treatments like low-level laser therapy for back pain can help to relieve your symptoms.
Can Body Weight Cause Back Pain?
Being overweight or obese can contribute to a host of health problems, but can it affect your lower back? Spine care experts say that people who carry excess weight have an increased risk for joint pain and muscle strain in the lumbar area. Extra pounds in the midsection can also pull the pelvis forward, which can cause discomfort and muscle tension. It is also possible to develop a herniated spinal disc, sciatica, or pinched nerves.
While it has not yet been confirmed that obesity is the cause of spine problems, recent research on obesity and lower back pain suggest that the risk of lumbar area pain is directly related to increases in body mass index (BMI). Losing weight can help you reduce your back pain, but it is not necessarily the only reason why you are experiencing your symptoms.
How to Relieve Your Back Pain
If you think that excess weight could be contributing to your back pain, there are things you can do to understand your condition and ease your symptoms. It is possible that lifestyle changes alone will ease your pain, but you should consider all of your treatment options.
Try a combination of the following therapies and strategies to find relief:
- Consult with a doctor: An underlying condition like a herniated disc or sciatica could cause inflammation, shooting pain, or an aching discomfort. If you recently suffered physical trauma, are in severe pain, or your symptoms will not go away, consider seeing your primary care physician or a specialist. They will give you a physical exam and review your medical history to see if you have an injury or another type of health problem.
- Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining healthy body weight. Medical experts recommend that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week. Spreading it out over the course of an entire week will make your goal more manageable. It is also important to engage in strength training for each muscle group in your body at least two times per week. If you are new to exercise, start slowly. Walking, swimming, and tai chi are all gentle enough for your lower back. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your workout routine or your fitness level.
- Try alternative therapies: While you work toward a healthier lifestyle, you can use alternative therapies to find relief from discomfort or pain. Ice therapy, heat therapy, and low level laser therapy for back pain are all non-drug, non-invasive options that you can use in the comfort of your home. Some people like to get regular massages to ease their muscle pain and relieve stress throughout their lower bodies.
Using Low-Level Laser Therapy for Low Back Pain
While you may be comfortable with ice therapy, heat therapy, and massage therapy, it is important to know how to relieve mild to moderate pain and inflammation if you are not finding the results you are looking for. Low-level laser therapy is one of the most promising treatments available for back pain.
Devices like our Curavi™ laser therapy belts use a technology known as photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), which was formerly often referred to as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the medical field. PBMT is helpful for chronic back symptoms related to issues like excess body weight because it is proven to modulate pain, inflammation, and swelling in the lower back without the use of drugs or invasive procedures.
Wear your laser therapy belt for just 30 minutes per day to receive the benefits of low-level laser therapy. You have three devices to choose from, including our CuraviPro™ Belt, which offers professional-grade relief. Our products use medical-grade laser diodes instead of LEDs, which means you are getting pure laser light with no compromises or substitutes.
Each belt is made of breathable LaserFlex™ technology, which combines with a revolutionary laser light design that adjusts to your unique body shape. Treatment time is short so you can get back to your activities. Sessions are auto-programmed to shut off at the end of your therapy, so you do not have to watch the clock or add another thing to your to-do list.
Our laser therapy belts are a helpful solution when changing your lifestyle, losing weight, or finding new ways to manage your back condition. With a combination of regular exercise, healthy food choices, and guidance from your doctor, you can enhance your quality of life and reduce uncomfortable symptoms. Alternative, non-drug treatments for your back pain make it convenient and stress-free to achieve your pain relief goals.
