March 3, 2004

Neck and back pain attributed to extra weight
But increased exercise can alleviate it

By Amy Allen, D.C.
Special to the Times

Neck and back pain account for much of our healthcare spending and result in a huge loss of productivity from missed work and disability. A new study has given concrete evidence that being overweight is one of the main factors predicting back pain and its severity. However, there's good news…another study shows that almost any type of increased exercise will significantly increase weight loss!

There is a reason why these new circuit-training gyms have gained such popularity. Our population is in desperate need of a time-efficient and safe method of losing weight and improving cardiovascular health. Circuit training gives people a supervised exercise regimen on an appointment basis, which helps people stick to their weight-loss resolution. Along with a reduced calorie diet, even a light increase in exercise will reduce weight and provide the muscle conditioning necessary to decrease spinal pain.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise. The Institute of Medicine recommends 60 minutes on “most days of the week” for health improvement and weight control. Brisk walking, stretching and floor exercises such as sit-ups and leg-lifts count, so don't think that you have to be in a gym to get your exercise.

However, if you are new to a regimen or want faster results, joining a gym or circuit-training facility is your best route. Supervision in a new exercise program insures your safety, and allows you to learn an efficient program, thereby maximizing your results for the time you put in.

Think about it: if you carried around a five-pound sack of sugar all day, wouldn't your arm get tired? Of course! If you're even five pounds overweight your spine is doing extra work every second of the day. Make that 20 pounds and spinal pain seems like the obvious next step.

Being overweight has significant health risks and the studies show that it impacts your daily life by causing you to live in pain, but you don't have to turn your life upside down to fix the problem. Even moderate exercise of moderate intensity coupled with a healthier diet can help to get you out of pain and back to a healthier you.

Dr. Amy Allen has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh, and her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic West. Her private practice is currently accepting new patients, and is located at 3880 S. Bascom Ave. #117, phone (408) 559-4059. You can e-mail questions to dramyalle n @yahoo.com , or mail them to her practice address. This column is meant for dissemination of information and should not be taken as a substitute for treatment or personal medical advice.

Editor's Note: Dr. Allen used the following references: from Webb R, et al. Prevalance and predictors of intense, chronic and disabling neck and back pain in the U.K. general population. Spine 1003:28 pp1195-1202 www.spinejournal.com and Jakicic JM, et al. Effect of exercise duration and intensity on weight loss in overweight sedentary women. A randomized trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, Sept. 10, 2003:290(10) pp1323-30