Overweight and Experiencing Back Pain? What You Should Know

If you are a person that happens to fall under the category of being overweight, you might experience aches and pains on a daily basis that other people might not experience or even understand. Back pain is one such issue. There is a big difference between experiencing acute back pain from an injury and chronic back pain that affects you day in and day out. If you have chronic back pain, there are some things that you should know. Learn some of those things and then you can get help for your pain as soon as possible. 

Your Pain Is Not Necessarily Weight-Related

One of the main things you should know about the pain you are experiencing in your back is that your pain is not necessarily because of your weight. Oftentimes, if you are overweight, you will blame your ailments on that fact. And many doctors may do the same as well. 

Keep in mind that your pain could be completely unrelated to your weight. If you had a fall that jolted your back and you have been experiencing chronic back pain ever since, for example, the trauma could have damaged something in your back, causing your pain. Even chronic pain in your back with no apparent reason could be completely separate from your weight.

You Do Not Need to Be Embarrassed

Embarrassment about your pain is not going to get you anywhere. All you will do is prolong your pain and miss out on potential treatments that could help you. Whether your pain is related to your weight or something different, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. You are worthy of receiving care and treatment, and you deserve to feel comfortable in your own body, no matter your size. 

So, try to leave the embarrassment behind. You need to do so in order to get the help that you need to recover from your pain issues. 

You Have Pain Management Options

There are many ways that you can go about getting help for your back pain. The first step you may want to take is to see your primary care doctor. They can help to rule out any serious issues like fractures as the cause of your pain. Your doctor can also provide medications like anti-inflammatories for your pain. 

As far as continued treatment for your back pain, a chiropractor, such as Eric Schmetterling DC, may be a great option for you. Chiropractors specialize in musculoskeletal issues, specifically those with the spine, and perform adjustments to help get the vertebrae of your spine into alignment. They can also recommend stretches and exercises you can do at home to relieve your discomfort. 

You May Want to Think About Weight Loss Options

Even if your back pain is not related to your weight directly, sometimes being overweight can prolong and worsen your pain issues. Talking to your primary care provider about options to help you lose weight is a good place to start. Your chiropractor can also help when it comes to coming up with an exercise routine that does not worsen your back pain. 

Now that you know some of the facts about being overweight and experiencing back pain, you can be sure you do what is best for yourself in dealing with your chronic pain issues. 

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