Call to speak with a Quality of Life Expert 1-866-738-6552

Obesity and Back Pain

  • 2025-02-03
  • Reading time: 10 min.
Play video

Table of Contents

Addressing Obesity and Back Pain

Chronic back pain is a significant global health issue, causing widespread disability for countless people worldwide.1 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four American adults are clinically obese.2 Recent evidence would seem to indicate a strong causal relationship between the two, with obesity being one of the main risk factors for developing chronic low back pain.3

Are obesity and back pain your constant companions – ones that keep you from being the person you’d like to be? If so, read on to explore ways to manage the two conditions effectively, empowering you to lead a more active and fulfilling life.

Understanding Obesity and Back Pain

While people often use the terms overweight and obese interchangeably, they are not the same. Obesity is medically determined using the Body Mass Index (BMI), a simple calculation based on height and weight.4 A BMI over 30 means that someone is obese, while a BMI above 40 signifies severe obesity. Obese individuals often face significant health challenges, including a higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, cancer, and musculoskeletal problems.5

Chronic back pain describes lower back discomfort that persists for over three months. Symptoms may include a dull ache, sharp pain, and reduced flexibility. The connection between obesity and chronic back pain arises from the additional weight that exerts pressure on the spine and surrounding muscles. In addition to causing physical strain, this pressure may disrupt normal posture and spinal alignment, further exacerbating discomfort and limiting mobility.
When not properly managed, this insidious combination can make it exceedingly difficult to perform everyday tasks inside the home, trapping individuals in constant frustration and discomfort.

Have Questions? Let’s Talk
chair for obesity and back problems - ease your pain with an ergonomic and supportive chair.

Co-Managing Obesity and Back Pain Can Be Challenging

Obese individuals with chronic back pain typically experience a diminished quality of life, impacting their emotional well-being, dignity, and self-esteem. Sadly, many eventually face complications stemming from the two conditions, including:

Breathing Difficulties

Excess weight can compress the chest cavity, leading to reduced lung capacity and shortness of breath during even the simplest activities, which can impact well-being.

Mental Health Issues

The limitations imposed by the two conditions can lead to feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety, which may hinder one’s ability to seek help or stay connected with loved ones.

Sleep Disturbances

Chronic back pain can prevent restful sleep, while obesity may result in sleep apnea, further exacerbating daytime fatigue and drowsiness.

Lack of Socialization

Physical discomfort and limited mobility issues can decrease participation in social events and activities, leading to loneliness and social isolation.

Fatigue

Living with constant pain can be exhausting, creating a physically demanding cycle where both obesity and chronic pain promote significant fatigue and lethargy.

Sedentary Lifestyle

When combined, the limitations of back pain and obesity often discourage individuals from staying physically active, leading to further weight gain and discomfort.

Karen Sets the Example

Treatment Options for Obesity and Back Problems

Healthcare providers may recommend several treatments for obese individuals with coexisting back pain, including:

Weight Loss Programs

Structured diet and exercise regimes can help obese individuals lose weight. On the other hand, program adherence can be challenging, especially when faced with chronic pain.

Physical Therapy

Tailored exercises can strengthen core muscles and improve movement, alleviating back pain. Unfortunately, excessive pain levels can hinder therapy session attendance and effort.

Medications

Pain relief and weight loss medications may provide temporary relief. However, most come with potential side effects and dependency concerns that can complicate long-term use and efficacy.

Surgery

While bariatric surgery or spinal surgery can help alleviate obesity or back issues, surgeries come with inherent risks and require significant post-operative lifestyle modifications.

Counseling

Whether group or individual, professional counseling can help participants cope with emotional challenges related to either condition. However, the effectiveness may vary based on one’s willingness to participate and stop negative behaviors.

Learn More About the VELA Solution

VELA Epic Chairs: Empowering Users with Obese Back Pain

At VELA, we understand how lifestyle-limiting the combination of obesity and chronic back pain can be. We’ve designed our VELA Epic and Epic Plus mobility chairs for larger adults seeking ways to co-manage the two conditions effectively, empowering them to be self-reliant. Benefits of adding an Epic or Epic Plus chair to your back pain management strategy include:

All-Day Pain Relief

Engineered to deliver superior ergonomics, our heavy duty chairs distribute weight evenly, helping reduce pressure on the spine. With a capacity of up to 660 pounds, our chairs offer a treasure trove of comfort-enhancing features, including a padded seat, armrests, and backrest. When used as an office chair, a dining chair, or a TV viewing chair, a VELA Chair delivers hours of uninterrupted comfort.

Streamlined Mobility

With their lightweight design, sleek profile, and smooth gliding wheels, our Epic chairs enable users to effortlessly walk themselves around their homes and across most surfaces, minimizing strain and fatigue as they transition from one activity to another. The newfound sense of freedom and independence can be notably beneficial for those who formerly relied on a caregiver to manage their daily routines.

Sit-to-Stand Assistance

Standing up or sitting down can be a nerve-wracking experience for obese individuals with back pain. Equipped with an electric lift, an Epic Chair helps users sit or stand with ease, promoting self-reliance. Upon arriving at their destination, the sturdy handbrake securely locks the wheels in place. Once the brake is engaged, users can adjust the seat height at the touch of a button, allowing them to reach objects high and low without exerting much energy or worrying about falling.

Enhanced Safety and Stability

Every VELA Epic Chair is durably constructed from high-quality materials, from its robust frame to its ergonomic backrest. These features provide stability that ensures users feel safe and secure while seated. The sturdy armrests gently hold the body in place, providing a place to rest tired arms when it’s time to take a break.

Supports Proper Posture

Poor posture and back pain flare-ups often go hand in hand. Our Chairs promote upright sitting, alleviating pressure on the spine. In addition to minimizing back pain during extended periods, proper posture can significantly improve one’s breathing and circulation, allowing oxygen-enriched blood to reach inflamed back tissues and promote healing.

Ready to Reclaim Your Freedom and Independence?

Are obesity and back problems holding you back in life? Would you like to minimize your pain and manage your daily routine independently? If so, adding a VELA Epic or Epic Plus Chair to your obesity and back pain management strategy could hold the key to reclaiming your self-reliance, empowering you to lead a more active and fulfilling life.

Do you want to know more?

Get Personal Advice Now

Discover VELA Chairs for Workplace Obesity