Overweight and obesity promote joint pain and keep those affected away from essential physical activity. This is where chiropractors have a role to play.
Painful consequences on the joints
Overweight and obesity are constantly increasing: they affect one in two French people (17% suffer from obesity compared to 10% in 2000). A number of pathologies are associated with obesity: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, anxiety-depressive disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, etc. Joint pain, particularly in the knees and ankles, is common. Being overweight is also a cause of inflammation leading to joint degeneration. Pain that keeps affected people away from all physical activity and even walking.
Multidisciplinary care
Obesity being a chronic multifactorial disease, those affected must be cared for by a doctor, psychologist and/or psychiatrist. But also, by a nutritionist or dietitian for personalized nutritional advice and dietary rebalancing. Regular physical activity, adapted to the patient's state of health, is also essential.
This is where chiropractic finds its place. During the consultation, the chiropractor identifies the factors that contribute to the occurrence of pain and offers appropriate treatment: advice, exercises and manual therapies. The objective? Reduce pain and get the patient moving again, in the long term.
Good to know: for optimal management of patients' overweight and obesity, chiropractors must work in close collaboration with the doctors who follow them.
Read: “The Truth about Obesity, Understanding and treating this new epidemic”, Helia Hakimi-Prévot Robert Laffont.
 Pascale Pommier de Santi
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20/05/2024 | 
