Weight loss back pain

stressd1mom

I have lost just about 40 lbs now & have at least 60 more to go. My question is that now that I have lost that much weight, my back has really been hurting me. The worst is in the morning after I wake up. It hurts so bad in the center of my back that it hurts when I take a deep breath. It starts to work itself out gradually after I get up & move around some. I just thought that 40 lbs less than I was carrying around would make my body feel better, not worse! Anyone else experience this?

sweebum

Well, sort of. I have 2 crushed discs from a car accident. My back pain is almost gone after 40lbs, however, it's a direct result of training the front. You need to strengthen your ab's to help support your back. A weak front makes back pain much worse. In physio they had me concentrate on ab exercises and back exercises.

Congrats on your loss!

MNbooklady

Yes, I have the exact same problem. I lost over 100lbs from my gastric bypass 6 years ago and have had worse back pain ever since. I've done some research on it, and even though you've taken weight off, from what I was able to figure out, the reason your back hurts more is because there is now less pressure on your muscles and joints - so that gives your spine more room to move around which is what's causing the pain. Your muscles are weak.

I've been taking Tylenol Arthiritis in the mornings to help with the worst days, but really what will help is doing some healthy stretching exercises on your back. Basically, your back muscles have weakened over time from carrying all that extra weight, so now that it's gone, your back is even weaker. You need to strengthen your back muscles again.

What I'm working on now is leaning against a counter - like in the kitchen or bathroom, with your back against it facing outward, and leaning backwards like a reverse sit up. Do as many as you can. I usually do about 25-30 reps. It will hurt really bad the first few times you do it, but if you are diligent about it and do it every day, after a month or two, you will notice your back pain decrease some. The reason for leaning against the counter is to make sure your hips stay stationary and you only move your back muscles. Either this exercise, or the other one I do is lay down on the bed, and bring your legs up and down while keeping your pelvic area as still and tight as you can. It's harder to do that one, but works just as good.

Good luck! I feel your pain

cindybreed

My personal trainer (and physical therapist) both emphasize strengthening the core, which is abs and gluts. I do exercises for them, and also try to tighten them when I do other exercises. It is difficult for me to always remember that, but it sure helps a lot. I have had chronic back pain for years, so the solid core is vital for me so I don't aggravate my back issues.

MzBug

My theory... You don't have as much padding in certain areas, and when you relax your spine does too... making it contort into an unfamiliar shape. I found that if I lay on my side with a pillow tucked tight into my belly that I don't sleep on my stomach and it greatly reduces the stress put on my spine. My chiro suggested a full body pillow that would also go between my knees to keep my hips from shifting (I have 2 bulging discs in my sacrum and lumbar back). If I don't use the pillow I can barely move in the morning. I also do some stretches in the morning before I get out of bed to prevent sciatica. Do same abdominal exercises too. Go to a chiropractor if you can swing it, the regular doctor just looked at me wierd and told me to take motrin.

MNbooklady

Lol@MzBug - I hear you. My doctor looks at me funny too and says take some glucosamine chondroitin - which SO does not work!

Reykur

I have a sore time of it in the morning and evenings Capzasin-HP (arthritis pain relief) seems to help me get less painfull, so I can do what needs to be done. It will burn if you forget you have it on and get warmth were its at though.




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EATTHISNOTTHIS

I have lost about 120 pd since July of last year. About 2 month ago my shoulder blade area began to hurt and felt like a rib out of place. I would itch and burn and scratch and then have a numb feeling between my should blades. Sometime I could not take a deep breath and since it hits right at my bra line that makes it hurt also. When I would go walking the motion hurt so bad that I would have to cut my walk short. I still deal with some pain but continue to walk. I just dont get it. While I weighed over 300 my back never hurt me.Please tell me this is going to go away before long. I have to lay flat of my back at night in the bed other wise I hurt. My back hurt so bad and I am single so i bought me a therocane to use on my back, it helped some. THe heat really irritates it sometime. Patches for pain make it worse. Right before I get out of showere I turn the cold water one to that center part of my back and it helps for a little while. i am just tired of this. I am feeling more energy and was doing great till this all started. What do I do about this

mactaffy84

I have lost about 120 pd since July of last year. About 2 month ago my shoulder blade area began to hurt and felt like a rib out of place. I would itch and burn and scratch and then have a numb feeling between my should blades. Sometime I could not take a deep breath and since it hits right at my bra line that makes it hurt also. When I would go walking the motion hurt so bad that I would have to cut my walk short. I still deal with some pain but continue to walk. I just dont get it. While I weighed over 300 my back never hurt me.Please tell me this is going to go away before long. I have to lay flat of my back at night in the bed other wise I hurt. My back hurt so bad and I am single so i bought me a therocane to use on my back, it helped some. THe heat really irritates it sometime. Patches for pain make it worse. Right before I get out of showere I turn the cold water one to that center part of my back and it helps for a little while. i am just tired of this. I am feeling more energy and was doing great till this all started. What do I do about this

Go to a doctor.