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’s something important that you should know regarding those few additional pounds you may have gained. Over time, extra weight can add up to a surprising number of health issues from heart and pulmonary diseases and diabetes to back pain and joint degeneration. Even a few additional pounds put undue stress on organs, like the heart, and on joints in the low back, hips, and knees. Regrettably,more than half (62%) of men and women in America are overweight or obese, according to recent studies. That is a very significant percentage and an enormous national health issue (no pun intended).
Though we try to pretend otherwise, most of us know that the human body was not intended to schlepp around surplus weight in the form of body fat. A mere excess of 20 or 30 pounds can, in point of fact, overload and overburden 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. The tilt puts pressure on the joints of the low back. Painful inflammation results as this joint compression hinders nerve activity. Most men and women who have a “spare tire”experience low back pain generated by a pinched sciatic nerve or misalignments of the spinal column that impinge nerves as a result of weight-bearing stresses. If left untreated, misaligned vertebra not only continue to irritate the degenerative changes that have already taken place, but can create new arthritic changes in the spine in the future.
Here are the ways in which chiropractic treatment can help. First of all, to be clear, a moderate body weight is necessary in order for the musculoskeletal system to function in the way it is designed to. That said, in addition, chiropractic adjustments relieve nerve impingements in the spine and help to get mobility back into the joints of the musculoskeletal system, such as 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. Not only will exercise help with weight reduction, but it can actually inhibit degenerative changes as we age.
Healthcare professionals, like your chiropractor, can advise you regarding your diet and exercise choices. In addition to caring for people suffering from back pain and joint inflammation, chiropractors offer proficient suggestions on the particular lifestyle changes that can help an individual to stay healthier, more energetic, and more active through the years. Arthritis and immobility due to aging don’t have to be unavoidable. The human body was created for a lifetime of pain-free movement.
So, if you’ve been thinking that a few extra pounds won’t hurt, think again! As your chiropractor in San Diego, and someone who cares deeply about your overall health, I’d like to help you to make healthier choices. Make an appointment today!