Putting on pounds will change your back. Over the years, people gain weight during the holidays, and that weight gained can turn into back pain. It takes most people up to 10 months to lose the extra weight they put on during the holidays. Many people simply give up on losing the weight after March of the next year. Most people can't lose the holiday fat until the next fall, which they then immediately put it back on as the holiday season starts again. This offers little relief from the strain put on the back from weight gain.
Weight gain causes the spine to work harder to carry the extra weight around. Putting on extra weight means you are more likely to injure your back which will then make it harder to exercise to lose weight. In this situation, the back pain will most likely become chronic back pain. Being overweight can exacerbate or even lead to symptoms of degenerative disc disease, compression fracture, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.
What You Need to Know About Cervical Arthritis
Spondylosis is arhtritis of the spine. Spondylosis accounts for a huge number of hospital visits each year. Spondylosis can cause pain in the neck, mid-back, and lower back in people as they age.
Osteoarthritis is the form of spondylosis affecting the spine's facet joints. All types of spondylosis are degenerative disorders which means they worsen with age.
Narrowing of the regular disc space between vertebrae on an MRI scan means you have spondylosis.
Cervical spondylosis is also known as cervical arthritis. The most common symptom, and sometimes only symptom, of cervical spondylosis is a worsening pain in the neck. Some nerves in your back that lead to your arms or legs might be compressed due to cervical spondylosis. If you have spondylosis and you have pain in your arms or legs, it is probably due to these compressed nerves in your spine.
Severe pain in the neck from cervical spondylosis may be treated with bed rest in a neck traction. If the pain is really bad and an inflammatory component present, your doctor can give you a cervical epidural block.
Cervical spondylosis is also treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. Gentle manipulation may provide further relief for patients.
Using Proper Body Mechanics to Avoid Back Pain
Prevent back pain in the first place by exercising and learning about proper posture.
Keep your back strong:
Exercise. Use aerobic exercises to get the blood flowing to your back muscles and to improve mobility.
Swimming is also a great exercise that will soothe your aching back. Talk with your doctor about which activities are best for you.
Build muscle strength and flexibility. Core-strengthening exercises are great for your back muscles. Flexibility in your hips and upper legs aligns your pelvic bones to improve how your back feels.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts strain on your back muscles. If you're overweight, trimming down can prevent back pain.
Watch how you move your body:
Stand smart. Maintain a neutral pelvic position. If you must stand for long periods of time, alternate placing your feet on a low footstool to take some of the load off your lower back.
Maintain good posture when sitting by keeping your knees and hips level. You also should have a chair with lower back support to help maintain the natural curve of your spine.
Lift smart. Let your legs do the work. Move straight up and down. Keep your back straight and bend only at the knees. Hold the load close to your body. Avoid lifting and twisting simultaneously. Find a lifting partner if the object is heavy or awkward.
Sleep on a firm mattress and use a cervical neck pillow or foam pillow for support. Do not use a pillow that forces your neck upward at a steep angle.
I've always been "cuddly" and at various times in my life have been called "pudding face" and "chubb" (amongst other things). Oddly enough, however, I always found these terms endearing although now they might be considered as verbal abuse. It's a sad reflection on how times have changed.
For most people weight is a direct result of the amount of calories consumed in relation to the amount used - but not always. Some people have medical conditions which have weight issues.
One reason for gaining weight and changing shape which many women of a certain age will relate to is the menopause, and currently that is my explanation.
It's not an excuse, just an explanation. I use it every time I find yet another skirt or pair of trousers which won't quite fit, and it comes in very handy.
My weight appears to shift around at night when I'm asleep and I wake up in the morning with extra on my arms, back, stomach and waist.
Love handles they may be - attractive they're not, especially in the summer. In winter you can get away with more because extra layers of clothing disguise it. Maybe I should consider moving to a colder climate.
Excess weight is of course a problem if you let it get out of hand as it can create all sorts of health issues, and a sensible diet and exercise routine are always to be recommended.
Apart from the fact clothes look better if they actually fit, you generally feel more comfortable and confident if you aren't continually having to hold yourself in, too scared to breathe incase the seams of the material encasing your body should suddenly give.
It is just delusionary to think you look slimmer wearing clothes which are smaller than you actually need, and I often see people who would benefit from a visit by the wardrobe fairies.
I hate parting with anything though and must have a bit of the war mentality in me. I tend to think if I hang on to something long enough the fashion will come around again, and those people who discard clothes they haven't worn for six months break my heart.
Mind you, I'm not getting any younger so by the time fashion trends dictate I can wear some of the clothes I have in my wardrobe it would be a case of them being inappropriate for my face. The expression "Mutton dressed as lamb" springs to mind
Anyway, here's a light hearted poem I've written. which sums up the way I feel.
My Summer Dilemma
Struggling into my swimsuit Reflection's made it clear Despite my best intentions I'm larger than last year
I guess I'm pretty lucky I have a shapely figure But even if I breathe in hard I look two sizes bigger
All winter I've disguised the fact With help from baggy clothes Now summer's come, it's skimpy tops So everybody knows
I don't want to join a slimming class Allowed food isn't me All those calories, points and carbs Water and black tea!
Perhaps I'll take up exercise Fast walking, that's more fun I'll do it now, go to the shops May even try to run
Oh what the heck, curves are in Men like our fleshy bits So instead I'll just stay as I am And buy a suit that fits!
Both Edward Mullen & Jean Shaw are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Edward Mullen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Arthritis Pain, Lose Weight. Edward Mullen is a back pain relief expert and is a writer on back pain relief treatments. When are you going to get tired enough of back pain to do something about it? Do something about your back pain right now, go to. Edward Mullen's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.
Jean Shaw has sinced written about articles on various topics from Types of Cancer, Health and Food And Drink. Jean Shaw writes articles and is the author of See. Jean Shaw's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.