Obesity is a problem that affects 64.5% of adults in the U.S., and many of these individuals suffer from back pain. While being overweight can cause many health problems, back pain is a common issue among people that are carrying extra weight. If you are overweight and are suffering from pain in your back, you may want to consider taking the following three steps to help you find relief for this problem.

Lose Weight

Back pain is commonly caused by stress on the spine. The spine is a vital part of your body because it is designed to support your body. Stress to the spine can cause decompression to the spine, and it can also lead to osteoporosis, degenerative disc disease, and numerous other conditions. The result of all of these conditions is back pain, but you can relieve some of this stress by losing weight.

Losing weight is not always easy to do, but it is possible for most people. Before you start dieting or exercising, you may want to consult with your doctor to find out if he or she has any suggestions for you.

Exercise

Exercising offers a variety of benefits, and it can make a huge difference if you suffer from back pain due to your weight. When you exercise, you will reap the following benefits:

• Heart health – Exercising is one of the best things you can do to keep your heart strong and healthy.
• Weight loss – This is also something that can help you lose the extra weight you have.
• Pain relief – When you exercise 20 minutes each day, you may actually find relief from the back pain you have.

Exercising is also helpful because it helps you stretch and work the muscles, discs, ligaments, and joints in your back. Not only will this help each of these parts feel better, but exercising can also help these parts become stronger.

Seek Therapy

In addition to losing weight and exercising, you can also find relief from your back pain by seeking help from a physical therapist. Through physical therapy, you will have a therapist working with you to help you perform the right activities and exercises for the pain you are dealing with.

Managing your weight is an important part of healthy living, and you will feel better and have less pain if you can keep your weight down. If you are suffering from extreme back pain, you may want to begin thinking about these three activities, and you can begin finding relief for the pain by visiting your doctor or a clinic such as Southwest Florida Neurosurgical Associates.