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.