Back pain is a widely experienced condition around the world. In the United States, for example, about 31 million Americans experience low back pain at any given time.ⁱ Worldwide, back pain is the single leading cause of disability, preventing many people from engaging in work, as well as other everyday activities.ⁱⁱ

According to World Health Organization statistics, in 2022, 1 in 8 people in the world were living with obesity—and worldwide adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, while adolescent obesity has quadrupled.ⁱⁱⁱ

Given these two global trends, it would be helpful to understand how excess weight can impact back pain.

Your weight can significantly impact your back health in several ways:

Increased Stress on the Spine: Carrying excess weight, especially around the abdomen, puts added stress on the spine.^iv This can lead to misalignment and strain on the vertebrae, discs, and surrounding muscles.
Altered Posture: Extra weight, particularly in the abdominal area, can cause changes in your posture. This often leads to an exaggerated curve in the lower back (lordosis) which can exacerbate back pain.^v
Muscle Strain: Excess weight can force your back muscles to work harder to support your body. Over time, this increased workload can lead to muscle strain and discomfort.^vi
Reduced Physical Activity: Being overweight can sometimes limit physical activity due to discomfortorfatigue.^vii Reduced activity can weaken the muscles that support your spine and contribute to back pain.^viii
Increased Risk of Injury: Extra weight can put more stress on your joints and ligaments, making you more prone to injuries that could lead to back pain.^ix
Inflammation: Carrying excess weight, particularly in the form of visceral fat (fat around the organs), can lead to chronic inflammation in the body—which can contribute to back pain and other health issues.^x

Maintaining a healthy weight through balanced diet and regular exercise can help alleviate or prevent back pain by reducing the stress on your spine, improving posture, and strengthening the muscles that support your back. If you're experiencing persistent back pain, it's a good idea to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment.

About the Author:

Dr. Robinson is a fellowship trained orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in minimally-invasive and outpatient spine surgery. His goal is to provide his patients with all of the latest information and insight needed to understand their condition, the treatment options available, and then together decide the best option for them. He begins conservatively, even with non-surgical measures. When these options are exhausted, he will use the least invasive and most cutting-edge surgical procedure available. Dr. Robinson uses the latest minimally invasive techniques for nerve decompression and that provides for shorter hospital stay, less blood loss, hyper-accurate hardware placement and quicker recovery. He is also trained in complex revision and deformity surgery. No matter the issue, he wants his patients to feel confident and comfortable with the treatment plan.

Opinions expressed herein are those of Dr. Robinson based upon his qualifications as a surgeon.

ⁱ Jensen M, Brant-Zawadzki M, Obuchowski N, et al. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Lumbar Spine in People Without Back Pain. N Engl J Med 1994; 331: 69-116.
ⁱⁱHoy D, March L, Brooks P, et al The global burden of low back pain: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Published Online First: 24 March 2014. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204428.
ⁱⁱⁱObesity and Overweight, Obesity and overweight (who.int), accessed 8/6/24.
^ivBack Pain, Common Causes of Back Pain - Types & Treatment | NIAMS (nih.gov), accessed 8/5/24.
^vPosture, American Chiropractic Association, Posture - ACA Hands Down Better, accessed 8/5/24.
^viBack Pain and Weight, Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Health, accessed 8/5/24.
^viiPhysical Activity Guidelines for Americans, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans | health.gov, accessed 8/6/24.
^viiiA Systematic Review of the Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity on Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain, healthcare-04-00022.pdf (nih.gov), Healthcare 2016, 4, 22.
^ixLow Back Pain: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatments (clevelandclinic.org), accessed 8/6/24.
^xBody mass index and musculoskeletal pain: is there a connection?, Chiropr Man Therap. 2013; 21:15.

Important Note: The patient information presented is for general education purposes only. As with any spine surgery, there are potential benefits, complications, and risks associated with disc replacement and spinal fusion procedures. Individual results may vary. It is important that you discuss the possible risks and potential benefits of various procedures with your doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that you rely on your physician’s best judgment. Only your doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for a specific surgical procedure.

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