Low Back Pain and Body Weight – The Secret Relationship

What Role Does Body Weight Play In Low Back Pain & Healing?

Body weight plays a significant role in the chronicity of low back pain. Multiple studies and reviews consistently show that higher body weight-especially overweight and obesity-increases both the risk of developing chronic low back pain and the likelihood that pain will persist over time  1 2 3 7.

• Increased Risk and Prevalence: Obesity and overweight are established risk factors for chronic low back pain. For example, being obese can increase the odds of chronic low back pain by up to 1.7 times compared to those with normal weight1. The prevalence of low back pain rises with increasing BMI: less than 3% of people with normal BMI reported low back pain in the past three months, compared to 7.7% of obese and 11.6% of morbidly obese individuals 2.

• Dose-Response Relationship: There is a linear relationship between BMI and chronic pain rates. Overweight individuals have a 20% higher rate of recurring pain, while those with class I, II, and morbid obesity have 68%, 136%, and 254% higher rates, respectively, compared to normal-weight individuals 2.

• Mechanical and Structural Impact: Excess body weight increases the mechanical load on the spine, leading to premature degeneration of spinal structures, altered posture, and abnormal gait patterns. These changes contribute to both the onset and persistence of low back pain 2 4.

• Functional and Quality of Life Effects: Obese individuals with low back pain tend to have greater physical disability, more comorbid health problems, and reduced quality of life compared to non-obese counterparts 2 6.

• Bidirectional Relationship: Chronic pain can also contribute to weight gain, as pain-related inactivity, frustration, and poor sleep may promote sedentary behavior and overeating2.

Mechanisms

• Mechanical Load: Increased body weight puts extra stress on the lumbar spine, accelerating disc degeneration and structural damage 2 4.

• Postural Changes: Obesity often leads to altered body mechanics and posture, which can exacerbate or prolong back pain 2 4.

• Inflammatory Factors: Excess adipose tissue may promote systemic inflammation, which can sensitize pain pathways and worsen chronic pain conditions2.

Summary Table

Higher body weight-especially obesity-substantially increases both the risk and chronicity of low back pain through a combination of mechanical, structural, and inflammatory pathways 1 2 3 7. Weight management and physical activity are therefore important components in both prevention and treatment strategies for chronic low back pain.

Dr. Lou Jacobs is a chiropractor, acupuncturist and lifestyle coach who has helped hundreds of people lose thousands of pounds. He’s also a back pain and spine specialist. He’s also worked with some of the world’s great musicians as their chiropractor. He’s also board certified in pregnancy and pediatric chiropractic care. Dr. Lou has been at Jacobs Chiropractic Acupuncture at 138 St. John street in Portland, Maine since 2003. (207) SPINAL-1