Carrying extra weight affects more than just the number on the scale. It can contribute to chronic pain and lead to long-term health issues in ways many people don’t even realize. From joint stress to inflammation, excess weight often plays a significant role in how pain develops and persists. Understanding this connection is an important step toward breaking the cycle of weight gain and chronic pain.
5 Common Ways Obesity Impacts Chronic Pain
With 70% of Americans now classified as obese and over 50 million Americans living with chronic pain, the link between weight and pain is worth understanding.
Here are the five ways obesity impacts your health and fuels chronic pain:
1. Increased Stress on Joints and the Spine
Extra body weight adds pressure on your joints, especially the knees, hips, and lower back. Over time, this accelerates joint wear and tear, contributing to conditions like osteoarthritis, disc degeneration, repetitive strain injuries, and chronic back pain.
2. Chronic Inflammation Throughout the Body
Excess fat releases inflammatory chemicals that can increase pain sensitivity and slow the body’s natural healing process. Chronic inflammation is closely linked to joint pain, muscle soreness, nerve irritation, and conditions like arthritis.
3. Hormonal Imbalances That Affect Pain and Energy
Obesity can disrupt hormones that regulate metabolism, appetite, mood, and pain perception. These imbalances often lead to increased fatigue, more sensitivity to pain, and make it harder to stay active.
4. Reduced Mobility and Muscle Strength
When it hurts to move, people become less active. Over time, this leads to muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and reduced flexibility, all of which can make chronic pain worse.
5. A Cycle That Reinforces Weight Gain and Pain
Chronic pain can fuel unhelpful habits like poor nutrition, emotional eating, and inactivity. This creates a cycle where weight gain increases pain, and pain makes weight loss feel ever harder. Breaking this cycle is critical for long-term relief.
Losing Even a Small Amount of Weight Can Make a Big Difference
Reducing body weight, even by a few pounds, can have a meaningful impact on chronic pain and overall health. Weight loss can help:
- Lower inflammation levels
- Improve pain control
- Support a healthier hormone balance
- Reduce discomfort in joints
- Make movement easier
- Support strength and stability
But losing weight is often easier said than done, especially when chronic pain limits your activity. And fad diets and quick fixes rarely provide lasting results and can make the process more frustrating. Instead, it’s best to focus on natural weight loss programs for long-lasting results.
How Maragal Medical Approaches Weight and Chronic Pain
At Maragal Medical, our NutriHealth Weight Loss Program takes a personalized, science-backed approach to help patients achieve sustainable weight loss. Each plan is tailored to your unique lifestyle, metabolism, and health goals.
This comprehensive program focuses on:
- Balancing pH levels
- Regulating hormones
- Supporting natural detoxification and metabolic health
When combined with Maragal’s pain management strategies, a tailored weight-loss plan can reduce strain on your body, improve function, and help you stay active with less pain.
Watch the video below where Dr. Tim and Dr. Mike explain how our team of nutritionists and health coaches guides patients on a path to lasting weight loss.
Take Control of Your Weight and Your Pain
At Maragal Medical, we believe weight loss and pain management work best together. Our integrated approach is designed to help you feel better, move better, and regain control of your health. Schedule your consultation today and get the support you need to break the cycle of weight gain and chronic pain.