Obesity and Spine Care
Hello, my name is Mahima Khandelwal, I am a physiotherapist at Anssi Wellness Center. Today, I am going to be talking about Obesity and Spinecare.
Obesity is a condition in which a person has a high amount of body fat. It is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.
Body Mass Index
Body mass index is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Obesity is a major health risk factor for a number of diseases and conditions including spinal problems. This is because excess weight puts excess weight on the spine leading to pain, inflammation and degeneration.
Obese people are more like to develop certain spine conditions, such as intervertibral disc degeneration. This is a condition in which the discs that cushion the vertebrae in the spine break down over time. This can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs and feet. Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one vertebra slips out of place over another. This can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the back and legs.
Facet Joint Syndrome
Facet joint syndrome is the arthritis of the facet joints, which are the small joints that connect the vertebrae. In addition to increasing the risk of spinal problems, obesity can also make it more difficult to treat these conditions. For example, obsessed people may have more difficulty losing weight after spinal surgery, which can slow down the healing process. So, in order to reduce the risk of developing these conditions and to improve the outcome of the treatment, it is important to manage obesity in spinal problems.
Now what can obsese patients do to protect their spine? The best way to protect your spine is to maintain a healthy weight. If you are obese, losing even a small amount of weight can make a big difference.
In addition to losing weight, there are a number of things that you can do to protect your spine, such as:
1. Maintain good posture. Stand and sit up straight with your shoulders back and your head held high,
2. Avoid lifting objects. If you must lift something heavy, bend at the knees and keep your back straight.
3. Eat a healthy diet that is low in processed food and high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
4. Exercise regularly, as exercise helps to strengthen the muscles that support the spine.
5. Use supportive mattresses and pillows. Your mattresses and pillows should provide good support to your spine and neck.
Thank you.
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