Every extra kg on the Your body equals 3 KG of pressure on the spine. This may come as a surprise for many, yet it is true.
Think of it like this: extra weight = extra stress on the spine and joints. Over time, the spine can become tilted and develop an unnatural curvature. Research has shown that obesity poses more than a mechanical stressor on joints: excess body fat also produces chemicals that contribute to joint damage.The combination of weight-related risks can cause a range of damage to the spinal discs and other structures:
When your weight slips into an unhealthy range over time, the risk of degenerative disc disease increases by 30 to 79 percent.
As discs compensate for the pressure of extra weight, they can become herniated, causing sciatica.
Too much weight can result in ruptured or slipped discs. This damage compresses the spaces between the bones in the spine, causing pinched nerves and piriformis syndrome: muscle spasms that cause pain and can irritate the sciatic nerve.
The pressure of extra weight can also aggravate arthritis of the spine, or trigger the development of osteoarthritis.
Extra weight doesn’t just increase wear and tear on your back and joints, it also makes injury more likely. People who are overweight are 15 percent more likely to sustain musculoskeletal injury, and people who are obese are 48 percent more at risk for injuries.
So,Watch your weight before it’s too late.
Article by Dr. Deep Arya, Senior Consultant Physiotherapist & Director, Arya Physiotherapy, Gurgaon
