A Closer Look at How Diabetes Can Cause Lower Back Pain

From your feet up to your eyes, the disease can affect your entire body if it’s not treated. You might already know diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, but did you know it can also cause lower back pain?

Here’s a closer look at how that happens — and what you can do about it — from Dr. Adam Redlich and our team at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine.

Neuropathy

If your blood sugar levels remain high for too long, your nerves can be damaged, leading to pain, tingling, and numbness. When this happens with nerves in your spine, it can lead to lower back pain.

Bone health

High glucose levels can also have a negative impact on your bone health by damaging collagen, a protein that’s crucial for your bone structure. This can increase the risk of a fracture in your vertebrae, which causes pain in your back.

Disc degeneration

If your diabetes is uncontrolled, it can also accelerate the breakdown of the spinal discs that separate the vertebrae in your spinal cord. When the discs break down, this can lead to significant pain in your lower back. 

Obesity

Being overweight can be a vicious cycle for people who have diabetes and lower back pain. If you’re not managing your blood sugar levels well, one of the side effects is weight gain. This increase in weight then puts additional stress and pressure on your spine,  which can increase your pain levels.

Prevention

This all sounds dire, but the truth is you can prevent this lower back pain from happening by taking a few steps. 

Keeping your blood sugar under control is the first and most vital factor. If your levels get too high and you don’t correct them, this is where your problems will begin. Monitor your levels and know how to adjust them as necessary.

Developing a regular exercise routine is one of your most effective weapons against lower back pain caused by diabetes. Not only does consistent physical activity help you keep your blood sugar more consistent, it supports your bone health and builds stronger muscles to keep your back strong as well.

If you keep your weight under control, this will make a big difference as well. Losing weight significantly reduces the strain and stress on your spine and lower back. Keeping your blood sugar at normal levels, exercising, and eating a healthy diet are the biggest factors at play in your weight, so develop routines and stay consistent.

If you’re experiencing lower back pain related to your diabetes, our team at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine would be happy to help you heal. To schedule an appointment, call our offices in Robbinsville or Neptune, New Jersey, or book an appointment online today.