Chronic pain emerges for many reasons, and it can be a complex problem to treat, given the even more complex nature of the nervous system. Despite this, one treatment proves effective for most chronic pain conditions: moderate weight loss.
At Doctors United, with locations in the Bronx, White Plains, Ardsley, and Yonkers, New York, we specialize in pain management for a wide range of causes and conditions. Many pain management plans have multiple treatment aspects, and weight loss may be a secret weapon that works alongside pain medication and other modalities. Here’s why moderate weight loss can make such a difference for those with chronic pain.
Carrying extra weight means you also carry low-grade inflammation in your body, more than is necessary. Fat cells release substances that promote higher levels of inflammatory markers in your body. These substances directly stimulate sensory nerve endings, increasing their sensitivity.
Swelling associated with inflammation can also put pressure on nerve tissue, resulting in pain. Fewer or smaller fact cells reduce the amount of this base-level inflammation.
Your body has a cantilevered design, meaning that most of your body weight sits in front of the spine, the body’s main support structure. Extra weight means extra loads on weight-bearing joints, and the cantilevered nature of your body’s anatomy acts as a force multiplier.
One pound of weight equals four pounds of force on joints like your knees, so a modest weight loss of five pounds means a reduction of 20 pounds of force on these joints. Moderate weight loss represents a substantial reduction in the wear-and-tear on your body.
A group of medical conditions, including high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure form metabolic syndrome, which is associated with obesity. Contributing to neuropathy, or nerve damage, throughout the body, metabolic syndrome contributes to the risk of chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia.
The perception of pain is partly a chemical process in your body. The inflammation caused by obesity can chemically sensitize the receptors that detect the signals that get reported as pain.
You could feel pain resulting from milder events when you’re carrying extra pounds. Reduce your body weight, and pain receptors become less sensitive, lightening the pain load your brain experiences.
When you’re overweight, you have a greater risk of suffering from anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Another chemical process of the brain, mood disorders can also affect the way your brain feels pain.
Weight loss often promotes boosts in confidence and self-esteem. These, in turn, improve mood disorders, and the combined effects of even moderate weight loss add up to big gains in chronic pain reduction.
For more information on pain management and weight loss, contact Doctors United at the nearest of our five locations. Call any of our offices or click to request an appointment today.
