Nation's Leading Spine Organization Raises Awareness about Obesity and Back Pain

LaGrange, IL – April 2005 - Obesity affects more than 60 million Americans each year and has been directly correlated with causing diabetes, heart disease and even death. This spring, The North American Spine Society (NASS) kicks off its fourth annual patient education campaign “Take a Load off Your Back!” to also focus widespread attention on the debilitating effects of obesity on Americans’ spines.

In March 2005, NASS conducted a national survey of spine care professionals* to measure the impact of obesity on back pain. The survey unveiled an increasing trend in the number of obese patients being treated for spine-related disorders – up nearly 67 percent from just five years ago. According to the NASS survey, 44 percent of the patients they see are considered obese.

The NASS 2005 Spine Health patient education campaign complements the society’s year-round dedication to patient advocacy, outreach and education. In conjunction with the awareness campaign, NASS produced an educational video focusing on obesity’s impact on patients’ back pain and encourages doctor, patient and community involvement to carefully monitor the epidemic of obesity and back pain prevention.

According to Dr. Thomas Facizewski, a leading orthopedic surgeon at the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin and a NASS member, “People are coming in not by dozens but by the droves because of obesity and their back pain.”

Dr. Facizewski is not alone in his observation. A startling 87 percent of spine professionals surveyed agree that obesity plays a significant role in back pain. The vast majority of those surveyed (94 percent) also said they recommend weight loss as a treatment option for their obese patients and, in follow-up treatment for patients who lose the weight, 55 percent found a significant improvement in their patients’ symptoms as a direct result of the weight loss.

According to NASS, the three most common diagnoses in obese patients include degenerative disc disease, which includes wear and tear of the disc itself; spondylolisthesis, which is a slippage in the lower back from wear and tear; and a disc rupture or herniation. Obese patients are also at an increased risk of developing spondylolysis, a fracture in the vertebrae, and spinal stenosis, which is narrowing of the spinal canal.

Physical activity is extremely important and the most often prescribed treatment for spine health since a patient’s back joints and discs rely on motion to keep them healthy. Overweight patients often suffer from muscle atrophy due to inactivity which worsens back symptoms and problems. NASS physicians such as Dr. Facizewski are encouraging those with overloaded spines to really take their lifestyles seriously. “It’s about eating right, being active and taking better care of yourself in general. It’s not just a behavior change. It’s a lifestyle change.”

To schedule an interview with a spine care specialist in your area or for more information about Spine Health, please contact NASS at (630) 230-3600.

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NASS is a multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, evidence-based, and ethical spine care by promoting education, research, and advocacy. Since its start in 1985, NASS has grown to nearly 4,000 members in 22 spine-related specialties. NASS members are MDs, DOs, and PhDs, including orthopedics, neurosurgery, physiatry, pain management, and other disciplines. Nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, chiropractors, physical therapists, practice administrators, and other allied health care professionals involved in spine care are also represented as affiliate members.

For further information, contact:
North American Spine Society
Toll-free: (866) 960-6277   Direct: (630) 230-3600