More weight places more strain on the lower back

Although there have not been concrete statistics showing the link between obesity and lumbar disc herniation, the odds of obese people suffering from the medical condition that affects the major lower back disk are higher than for those who are not overweight, warned an orthopedist recently.

According to Yu Keyi from Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), extra weight can put more pressure on the lower back. At the same time, extra fat in the body can slow down the metabolism and speed up the bones' calcification, therefore increasing the probability of spinal issues.

Sitting for a long time can be another cause, he said. This is because sitting puts the most pressure on the body. Standing is the second most stressful position, as standing means the lower back has to bear the whole weight of the upper body.

Yu revealed that one of his recent patients weighs over 100 kilograms and has problems with his cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebra.

"The link between obesity and spinal problems should arouse more attention in society, and medical staff should do more research into this area," said Yu.

Yu did recognize that this was only his clinical observation and that he would need more concrete statistics to support his claims. He also highlighted that studies on obesity in China lag behind those in Western countries, as the studies began in the country quite late.

The cervical spine and lumbar spine are the two most common locations for disk herniation, which is when the disc ruptures and is pushed out. Lumbar disc herniation occurs 15 times more than cervical disc herniation, with patients experiencing symptoms such as muscle spasm, weakness, numbness and tingling, according to studies. The diagnosis of a herniated disc can be done with a neurologic examination. An MRI or CT scan are often carried out to confirm results.

Yu believes the link between obesity and lumbar disc herniation is similar to the link between obesity and another bone-related medical condition, that of knee osteoarthritis.

According to a study presented at the 2008 American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Francisco, people who are obese are more likely to develop advanced health complications in terms of bones, which often require total joint replacement.

"Obesity puts extra force on the body, which can cause damage to the knees," said orthopedist Qiu Guisheng, who also works at PUMCH.

When asked about the link between obesity and lumbar injuries, Qiu said, "There are possible links between obesity and lumbar disc herniation, but you need scientific statistics to prove the connection."

Lumbar disc herniation can be treated in a variety of ways, such as physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medication and surgical operations. However, oral medications like steroids can harm the body and should be avoided.

For Yu, exercise is recommended as the best treatment. Exercise should not be intense enough to reinjure the spine though. For those who suffer from joint problems, excessive or inappropriate exercise can actually worsen the condition, explained Yu, suggesting that patients consult their doctor first before they start an exercise program. "For example, those who have joint problems might find that climbing hills or steps will make the situation worse," he said, advising them to do more exercise on the ground, such as yoga.

At the same time, while yoga is good for the health, it needs to be done correctly to avoid lumbar spine inflammation.