Weight and Spinal Health

Today we will touch briefly on a sore subject – weight. The majority of Americans today are overweight, or worse, and most of us recognize that, even if we have a hard time admitting it.

Our weight increases when the body decides it is necessary to store extra energy. Existing fat cells expand and fill up, and in many circumstances, the body creates additional storage cells. These cells require blood flow in order to live and function, and many miles of additional blood vessels are created.

In order to force the blood through these new networks, the heart pumps harder and faster, increasing the blood pressure, which increases the likelihood of strokes. An increase in fat storage is often accompanied by an increase in the bad type of cholesterol with an attendant greater risk of blockages and blood clots. If a clot lodges in the arteries of the heart, lungs or brain, things obviously get even worse.

Depressed yet? These are the things we are reminded about on a daily basis. In addition to the stresses on the heart, the skeletal system is also affected. All of the weight-bearing joints have to deal with the increased load which leads to degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis. Joint replacements are discouraged because of the greater likelihood of early hardware failure.

From the chiropractic perspective, the worst problem is the effect of additional weight on the spine. Fat is seldom distributed in a balanced pattern, and this affects our posture and movement. Any woman who has ever been pregnant knows that one or more bowling balls hanging from the front of your waist causes low-back pain.

As mentioned in previous posts, the body contains other nerves in addition to those which report pain, and they are all affected in a similar manner. Organs malfunction, making it increasingly difficult for the body to take care of itself, heal injuries of all kinds, and stay healthy.

Getting chiropractic treatments when overweight becomes necessary merely to maintain the status quo, although amazingly enough, many times the body still exhibits the capability to slowly improve its circumstances. Because of this, chiropractic adjustments increase body movement and coordination while relieving pain, and often even assist in the weight-management process.

Most chiropractor’s offices have equipment such as tables which lay the patient down and raise them back to their feet again, addressing a variety of different patient needs, making the treatment process as easy as possible. Even if weight-control is a problem, at Val Vista Chiropractic, we are ready to help you maintain the maximum health and functionality which your body can achieve.

In the next post, I will share information I found about a ‘perfect’ diet.

Getting rid of your pain,

Dr. Steven Ray, Chiropractor

Val Vista Chiropractic