Dietetics

Obesity is the biggest burden on the spine. Even people who would not consider themselves "obese" may carry a significantly greater than appropriate weight and this may lead to back problems. It may also be a contributory factor in poor outcomes after certain types of treatment e.g. physiotherapy or even surgery.

Some people require specialised diets either by choice (e.g. vegetarians) or as a consequence of another medical problem (e.g. diabetes). Optimising these may be crucial in maintaining the body’s nutritional balance and allowing damage to repair itself. People who are "undernourished" are known to heal less well than those who take in a healthy diet.

Many patients attending the London Spine Clinic will be referred to the dietician to reduce weight before surgery and to determine the best way forward after treatment.  The dietician will organise a dietetic plan for the patient covering the time of treatment and extending beyond to optimise the chances of remaining symptom-free after the treatment period.

Specific components of the diet are known to influence specific muscles, which may be of relevance in the context of a spinal disorder. For example, the Transversus Abdominis muscle, running across the inner aspect of the abdominal wall, is known to be vital in maintaining spinal stability. Studies have shown that a gluten free diet (gluten - a protein occurring naturally in wheat products) may improve contraction in this particular muscle. These issues need to be discussed with a trained dietician or nutritionist, to achieve any impact on a particular problem.