More than half of adults in the US experience long-term back pain.

If you’re one of them, you’ve probably tried lots of different things to get relief. Pills, creams, massages, and special devices may work for a little while, but they’re only short-term solutions. In order to get rid of the problem completely, losing weight is often the best option.

In this post, we’ll tell you why. Read on to find out what back pain and weight loss have in common.

Understanding Back Pain and Weight Loss

Weight loss is often a cure for back pain. However, it can also be a precursor to it, too. Read on to find out why.

Back Pain Before Weight Loss

Those who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of lower back pain.

This is because there is a greater load placed on the spine. The lumbar spine is compressed, which can lead to a pinched nerve. The hips are also pulled forward, which can also place a strain on the lower back.

As body weight begins to decrease, the stress on the spine and the muscles surrounding it also decreases. As a result, the pain usually begins to subside.

Back Pain After Weight Loss

While weight loss is often lauded as a cure for back pain, it can also be a cause of it, too.

Some people who lose large amounts of weight find that their backs begin to hurt. In some cases, this occurs because the alignment of the spine is altered.

When a person loses a drastic amount of weight, their posture changes. The way the stand, sit and walk become different, as they aren’t carrying as much weight as they used to.

Sometimes, this kind of back pain comes as a result of nutritional deficiencies. When people diet or reduce their calorie intake to lose weight, they can deprive themselves of the nutrients they need. That’s why it’s best to prepare healthy, balanced meals and see a nutritionist for extra guidance.

Over time, this can contribute to a decrease in bone density. When the bones are weakened, they can become misaligned and start to cause pain. Steroid injections and suboxone doctors can help to treat this pain.

Some patients also report feeling lower back pain after weight loss when sitting on hard surfaces. This is because, after extreme weight loss, there is less fat to cushion the buttock area in a seated position. This can also change the alignment of the spine.

How Weight Loss Helps

Now that you understand the links between back pain and weight loss, you can go on your weight loss journey with open eyes.

Most people start to lose weight for health or aesthetic purposes, but many don’t realize that it can be a great way to reduce chronic pain, too. In many ways, losing weight can help you to live a happier, more comfortable life.

To find out more, read our post on the other benefits of losing weight that people don’t know about.