Expert: Margot RN BScN GNC - 8/12/2009

Question
Thank you for the work you do, may you be blessed. I am a male age 49, excellent  health, with chronic back pain since age 24. From age 24 to 35 I was miserable. I have maintained some control over the pain with daily use of an OTC NSAID taken before bedtime, for the last 14 years. I am aware of the risk of long term use of NSAID,s, but the pain can get intense and permanent very quickly. Could back pain due to inflammation be more severe at a lower body weight? When I was younger and thinner the pain was more severe! As I have grown older and heavier it has diminished. During the past year I gained 15 pounds and the pain almost went away with the the help of the nightly NSAID. I recently intentionally lost the 15 pounds and the pain returned. I went from 170 pds to  154 pds at 5'8".  Thanks again, Jesse

Answer
Hi Jesse and thanks for writing,

Most studies I am familiar with suggest extra weigh puts additional stress on the bones and joints which causes more pain - I have never heard of weight relieving pain so I really think it's just a coincidence.

All my best,
Margot