Could what you eat contribute to your back pain? If you are one of the millions of Americans with back or neck pain, chances are you have tried many lifestyle adjustments to reduce your pain. Studies show that certain foods can increase inflammation and cause chronic pain in your body and spine1. Particular food is shown to reduce or increase inflammation, a known cause of spine pain. Changing your diet may help you avoid it.
Eating a well-balanced diet, including anti-inflammatory foods, will help prevent diseases and improve back and neck pain. An anti-inflammatory diet can support healthy bones, nerves, and connective tissues in your back and neck. Deeply colored fruits and vegetables are a vital part of an anti-inflammatory diet. Nature has provided us with incredible nutrients that promote good skeletal health. Remember to include all rainbow colors in your grocery cart when selecting foods.
Choose foods loaded with nutrition to reduce joint pain in your spine, like carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, cherries, berries, pomegranates, and watermelon. Herbs and spices also have potent anti-inflammatory benefits—Basil, cinnamon, ginger, rosemary, garlic, curcumin, turmeric and onions. Include drinking healthy herbal teas like green, oolong, and white teas. They are rich in polyphenols and reduce inflammation.
Avoiding foods like sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial trans fat, refined carbohydrates, and excessive alcohol can help prevent joint pain flare-ups. If you are dealing with chronic back and neck pain, eating more fruits and vegetables while limiting red meat and sugars can significantly impact your pain.
Joint health affects almost everything we do. Though diet alone can’t cure arthritis or joint pain, certain foods and nutrients can help support joint health and keep inflammation at bay. Dr. Braly and Dr. Beacham recognize the importance of a healthy diet in resolving chronic pain. A healthy diet can lead to tremendous success in treating your spinal condition.
The Spine Clinic of Oklahoma offers total spine care to help evaluate your spine conditions and develop a personalized treatment plan that is right for you.
Dr. Doug Beacham III, DO is a fellowshipped-trained, dual-board certified physician in the fields of Anesthesiology and Pain Management (American Board of Anesthesiology). He has practiced in Oklahoma since 2013, and currently serves on the board of directors for the Oklahoma Pain Society. Dr. Beacham is proud to offer Oklahomans the most advanced and effective techniques capable of treating a full spectrum of acute and chronic conditions.
