The Surprising Cause of Chronic Pain You Haven’t Heard About

Chronic pain—it’s a relentless, exhausting condition that affects millions of people.

For many, it feels like there’s no escape.

Worse still, doctors often respond the same way: by prescribing pain medications or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), even though these come with a long list of side effects—stomach ulcers, kidney damage, and even addiction risks.

The truth is, many of us who suffer from chronic pain are desperate for relief and might keep taking these drugs without thinking twice!

But what if the solution wasn’t in a pill bottle at all?

What if the real culprit behind your chronic pain is something completely unexpected?

New Research Reveals a Surprising Link

A new study from the University of Tasmania has uncovered an interesting connection—your abdominal fat, particularly visceral fat, may be linked to chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Researchers analyzed data from over 32,000 participants in the UK Biobank study. They used MRI scans to measure visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and compared those measurements to reports of chronic pain.

The results? Those with higher levels of belly fat were much more likely to report pain in multiple areas of their body, including the neck, shoulders, back, hips, and knees.

And while the association was found in both men and women, it was especially strong in women. This suggests that fat distribution, along with hormone differences, could play a big role in how abdominal fat contributes to chronic pain.

The Belly Fat-Chronic Pain Connection

What’s really fascinating is that the study found a direct “dose-response” relationship between abdominal fat and the number of chronic pain sites. That means the more belly fat you carry, the more likely you are to experience pain in multiple areas of your body.

The researchers also noted that the ratio of visceral fat (the fat around your organs) to subcutaneous fat (the fat just beneath your skin) was important—those with a higher ratio had more widespread pain.

But why is this happening? The researchers suggest that the excessive accumulation of abdominal fat could trigger inflammation throughout the body, contributing to musculoskeletal pain.

This chronic inflammation, combined with mechanical stress on joints and tissues, could be the reason why so many people with belly fat suffer from widespread pain.

Why Aren’t Doctors Talking About This?

It’s no surprise that most doctors are quick to reach for a prescription pad when you walk into their office complaining of chronic pain. Pain medications and NSAIDs have been the go-to treatment for years, even though they don’t address the underlying causes.

But abdominal fat is a major health issue that is often overlooked. The focus tends to be on how fat affects your heart or increases your risk for diabetes, but what about the toll it takes on your muscles and joints?

This research shows that belly fat is doing more damage than we realized—and it’s time we start addressing it as part of the solution to chronic pain.

Solutions for Managing Chronic Pain

So, what can you do if you’re struggling with chronic pain and belly fat? Fortunately, there are natural ways to manage both—without relying on risky drugs.

Focus on Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Reducing chronic inflammation is key to managing pain. Start by incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods into your diet—think leafy greens, fatty fish like salmon, nuts, and seeds. Turmeric, with its active ingredient curcumin, is another powerful anti-inflammatory that can help ease pain naturally.

Exercise to Burn Belly Fat and Strengthen Muscles: Regular exercise, particularly a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training, can help reduce visceral fat while also improving muscle strength and flexibility. Even simple activities like walking or swimming can go a long way in reducing both your belly fat and pain levels.

The bottom line is that treating chronic pain isn’t just about popping pills—it’s about addressing the root cause. And in many cases, that cause could be the belly fat that’s building up around your organs, causing inflammation and widespread discomfort.

P.S. Is your ‘healthy’ lunch destroying your health? Find out here.

Sources:

Edited by Lora McGlade. (2024, September 11). MRI-Derived Abdominal Adipose Tissue Linked to Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Medscape; Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/mri-derived-abdominal-adipose-tissue-linked-chronic-2024a1000gh9