Chronic pain can disrupt your life in many different ways but one of the effects that you may not be aware of is that chronic pain can impact weight gain. According to the CDC, more women than men try to lose weight by a margin of 56.4% to 41.7%. If you deal with chronic pain, and you want to lose weight, pain management therapy may help with both your pain and weight, no matter who you are. Here are some of the various ways chronic pain can impact weight gain.
If you’re experiencing pain, it can impact your ability to exercise. The last thing that you may think about doing if your back or neck hurts is going out for a walk or a run. Injuries and chronic pain both directly lead to a decrease in the amount of exercise a person gets, which in turn, leads to weight gain. It may sound counterproductive, but exercising for small periods may help decrease your pain, while also helping you to manage your weight.
One of the most common ways that chronic pain can impact your weight is through the medications you take. Not every type of medication leads to weight gain, like those prescribed for rapid weight loss. However, many over-the-counter medications that individuals who are experiencing frequent pain can lead to inflammation, water retention, and overall weight gain. Pain management therapy is a good way to reduce your reliance on ineffective pain medication and can help minimize or prevent weight gain.
Lastly, studies have shown that individuals who are experiencing chronic pain are more likely to develop unhealthy eating habits. It may be due to the increased rate of depression or eating more to cope with the emotions that you may feel. Regardless, managing your pain can reduce the chances of weight gain.
Chronic pain can impact your life in many different ways, but one of the things that you may not immediately think about is your condition impacting your weight. It can, however, affect your ability to exercise and may lead to you eating more or taking over-the-counter medications that can lead to weight gain. If you’re dealing with pain, pain management therapy may be beneficial to you. Call our facility to schedule an appointment for pain management therapy.
Posted 10/31/23
