Belly Fat Can Cause Back Pain and Injury

Share

Belly fat is a gateway to back pain/spinal issues that can lead to various health problems. The bulging belly population has grown a bit since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 37% of individuals have gained weight since it began, according to a global Ipsos survey. If back pain is presenting and there is excess weight around the abdomen known as abdominal obesity, this could be a contributing factor.

Belly fat and posture

When the natural curves of the spine are normal, the core is stable and well-supported. Excessive weight, including a large abdomen, shifts these curves out of correct alignment. Excessive abdominal fat has been associated with lordosis, which is an excessive inward curve of the spine toward the lower back. One study found that severely obese individuals had pain and changes in posture. This was especially visible in the spine, knees, and feet.

Front-loading shift

The back pain felt from a bulging belly can be caused by a shift in posture and body mechanics. Studies show these can have a negative impact on back pain and body positioning. All or most of the weight is placed on the lower back.

Overloaded discs

Abdominal obesity can damage/injure the discs/shock absorbers of the spine. This leads to:

And a bulging belly can flatten the height of the intervertebral discs.

Fat pollutants in the blood

Fat can accumulate and secrete toxins that contribute to swelling and inflammation that can be painful. Over time, these toxins wear down components of the skeletal system. A study found potential links between obesity and degenerative disc disease. Scientists found a connection in obese men, but not obese women. This is believed to be because men tend to store fat in their bellies, and women tend to store fat in the buttocks and thighs.

Damage to the musculoskeletal system

The bones constantly renew themselves, but when there is excess body fat it can interfere with the process. This has the potential to turn into osteoporosis over time. Studies associate visceral fat with lower bone mineral density, and an increase in the risk of fractures.

Ankylosing spondylitis treatment and fat interference

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that causes chronic back pain and can cause the vertebrae to fuse. The back can be extremely stiff, and the condition can lead to a permanently hunched posture. There are medications to improve symptoms and slow the disease. However, being overweight reduces the drugs’ effectiveness. This is because belly fat can cause medication absorption problems.

Rare spinal condition linked to obesity

Obesity along with a high Body Mass Index increases the risk of a rare condition called spinal epidural lipomatosis or SEL. This is an overgrowth of body fat in the spinal canal. Spinal epidural lipomatosis can cause various types of back pain. This is why it is recommended to have a doctor examine and evaluate any aches or pains.

Body Composition

Kombucha beneficial for gut bacteria

Kombucha contains a wide variety of bacteria and fungi that helps ferment the sugar in kombucha drinks. It is able to affect the existing microbes in the gut by inhibiting the growth of various gut-dwelling pathogens. These include:

  1. It is a probiotic drink made from fermenting green or black tea
  2. It is made up of healthy bacteria that produce acetic acid that is beneficial for blood sugar, insulin levels, and body composition
  3. It helps the body process food by lowering insulin levels after a meal
  4. It contains polyphenols that reduce oxidative stress, to help fight disease risks
  5. It destroys unhealthy bacteria in the gut
  6. It helps increase healthy bacteria

Kombucha can be thought of as a natural antibiotic. However, it does not come with the weight-gain side effect. Improving the health of the gut through fermented foods like kombucha help reduce the risk for weight gain/obesity, as well as restore gut health for those trying to lose weight by creating a healthy gut environment.

Disclaimer

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the musculoskeletal system’s injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP, CIFM, CTG*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
phone: 915-850-0900
Licensed in Texas & New Mexico

References

Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives. (2016) “Influence of Obesity on Postural Stability in Young Adults.” www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5194219/

Obesity Surgery. (2005) “Postural changes in morbidly obese patients.” pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16105399/

Arthritis Research & Therapy. (2017) “Fat mass and fat distribution are associated with low back pain intensity and disability: results from a cohort study.” arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13075-017-1242-z

Clinical and Investigative Medicine. (2014) “Visceral fat reflects disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.” pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24895992/

European Spine Journal. (2012). “Rapid progression of spinal epidural lipomatosis.” www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3369035/

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Belly Fat Can Cause Back Pain and Injury" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.

Published by

Recent Posts

Exploring Meditation Techniques for Different Personalities

Do different meditation techniques work according to an individual's personality type? Meditation Techniques According To… Read More

The Impact of Sleep Disturbances on Muscle Function: An Overview

Can individuals receive a full night's rest by recognizing sleep disturbances to only get proper… Read More

Enhancing Comfort and Reducing Pain: Mattresses for Arthritis

Getting a good night’s sleep can be difficult for individuals suffering from arthritis. Can finding… Read More

A Comprehensive Guide: Benefits of Exercising to Reduce Scoliosis

Can individuals dealing with scoliosis incorporate various exercises and stretches to improve their posture and… Read More

Improving Sleep Quality: A Guide to Dealing with Primary Insomnia

Could learning to apply healthy sleep hygiene habits help improve sleep and overall health for… Read More

The Best Natural Probiotic Foods for a Healthy Gut and Strong Immunity

Can incorporating natural probiotic foods help improve many people's gut health and restore functionality to… Read More

Whiplash Rehabilitation: Taking Steps towards Recovery

Experiencing a whiplash injury can be disorienting and painful. Can recognizing the signs of more… Read More

Effective Natural Remedies for Fibromyalgia

Individuals dealing with fibromyalgia can find natural remedies to reduce the pain-like symptoms and provide… Read More

Whipped Cream Substitutes: Dairy-Free Options and Alternatives

For individuals who are looking for a whipped cream substitute for a dairy-free alternative, what… Read More

Injury Recovery: How to Maintain Fitness and Endurance

Can modified workouts and/or having a personal trainer design an alternate fitness routine while in… Read More

The Benefits of Ice Temperature Treatment for Reducing Pain

Is applying ice the best option for individuals who experience an acute back strain injury?… Read More

Unveiling the Vital Nutrients for Optimal Body Functioning

Individuals don't have to memorize or overthink every vitamin, mineral, or macronutrient. Can having a… Read More