Is Belly Fat the Hidden Cause of Back Pain?
If you’re one of the many New Yorkers struggling with chronic back or joint pain, you may have already tried physical therapy, medication, or even considered surgery. But what if the true source of your pain isn’t mechanical—it’s metabolic?
Recent research and clinical practice have uncovered a powerful but often overlooked connection: visceral belly fat and chronic pain.
How Belly Fat Fuels Inflammation and Pain
Belly fat isn’t just a passive storage depot. It’s an active, inflammation-producing organ that can exacerbate pain conditions like arthritis, back pain, and joint issues. This kind of fat, especially visceral fat around your organs, secretes inflammatory compounds that can elevate CRP (C-reactive protein) levels—a marker linked to pain, heart disease, and autoimmune conditions.
If you’ve been told your pain is due to “wear and tear” or aging, it may be time to look deeper—because reducing inflammation by losing belly fat can be a game changer.
Burn Fat to Ease Pain—No Surgery Required
Here’s the good news: You don’t need pills or procedures to see improvement. These five science-backed lifestyle strategies can help reduce inflammation, support fat loss, and get you back to living pain-free:
1. Rethink Your Diet
It’s time to rethink our own protein obsessions and evolve from focusing purely on animal-based sources. A whole-food, plant-based diet rich in fiber lowers inflammation and supports sustainable fat loss. Focus on:
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and legumes
Low-fat, high-nutrient meals that nourish and heal
2. Drink a Daily Green Smoothie
Start your day with a 32-ounce green smoothie made with:
Half a pound of greens
Berries, flaxseed, and water
Optional: Add 2.5 cups of fruit for flavor and fiber
This packs in anti-inflammatory nutrients and supports detoxification.
3. Prioritize Fasting and Sleep
Circadian intermittent fasting—a 12-hour eating window during daylight hours—can reduce inflammation and optimize metabolism. Pair this with 7 hours of quality sleep per night to allow your body to heal and regenerate.
4. Try a Fasting Mimicking Diet
A clinically studied five-day fasting mimicking diet has shown promising results in burning belly fat while preserving muscle and supporting metabolic health.
5. Avoid Foods That Fuel Inflammation
Cutting these from your diet may significantly reduce pain:
Processed foods with added salt, oil, and sugar
White flour products and baked goods
Alcohol (even red wine and beer)
Saturated fats from meat, cheese, eggs, and dairy
Processed and red meats
Seafood with pollutant concerns
You Deserve a Natural, Proven Path to Relief
It’s easy to feel stuck, especially when conventional medicine points to surgery or pain meds as your only options. Please know, there are proven, non-surgical solutions that help your body heal itself, and you will finally find the relief you’ve been searching for, all without extra pain or a long recovery.
As a double board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Physiatrist in New York, I help patients reduce pain by addressing the root cause—not just the symptoms. Whether through plant-based nutrition, PRP therapy, or regenerative techniques, I guide you toward lasting relief.
Let’s Talk
Wondering how this applies to your specific pain? Schedule an appointment or reach out with your questions. I’d love to help you find the best path forward—without surgery.
— Dr. Evan Queler