Food plays a significant role when it comes to our health and well-being. Some foods can energize us and improve our health, while others have the opposite effect. Food Can Reduce Pain and Inflammation Naturally. Therefore, it’s critical that we eat the correct kinds of foods in our diet. In this blog post, I discuss some of the best foods for lowering inflammation and pain in the body!
[PLEASE NOTE: Always consult your medical doctor before making dietary changes. Especially if you are being treated for a condition and/or taking medications]
Can Nutrition Help You Relieve Pain?
Our health and well-being are greatly influenced by the food we eat. This is attributable to the fact that foods include a variety of nutrients that have diverse effects on our bodies. Some foods, for example, may benefit our health while others may be detrimental. Fish and blueberries, for example, have nutrients that operate on numerous levels to relieve inflammation and discomfort while also supporting other critical bodily processes. Processed foods, however, can trigger inflammation while causing other adverse conditions.
Fish and Meat
Lean meats are a great source of protein essential to building and maintaining muscle, especially as we age. Particular meat also contains nutrients that can help reduce inflammation and pain.
Fish and Fish Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in abundance in fish, can aid in reducing inflammation and pain. Consequently, increasing your fish intake can assist in relieving back and neck discomfort. Omega-3 fatty acids also help improve blood circulation, which is essential for transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Blood flow is critical in treating back pain since a lack of it can cause the discs in your spine to degrade. Back pain and other health issues are often the results of disc degeneration. If you don’t care for fish, you can take an omega-3 supplement instead.
Including more fish in your diet can help to treat:
- Back and Neck pain
- Joint pain and stiffness (especially after exercise)
- Arthritis pain
Chicken
Chicken is high in lean protein, minerals, and amino acids, all of which can aid in the development and maintenance of strong bones and muscular tissue. Diets with lean protein can assist in the development of strong muscular tissue in your back muscles, lowering your risk of degenerative conditions like osteoporosis.
Helps to treat:
- Osteoporosis
- Joint pain
- Arthritis pain
Vegetables
Vegetables are a great source of fibre and antioxidants, which are known to reduce inflammation and pain.
Garlic and Garlic Oil
Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce pain and stiffness. It is also used to help support immune function.
Helps to relieve:
- Arthritis
- Muscle and joint inflammation
Edamame
Edamame is a form of soybean often served in a pod and is an excellent source of protein and fibre.
Helps to relieve:
- Osteoarthritis
- Sore muscles and joints
Chilli Peppers (Jalapenos, Shishito)
Hot peppers contain capsaicin which is known to provide pain relief by disrupting the transmission of pain signals in the nervous system. Several studies have shown that capsaicin can reduce pain in conditions such as arthritis and osteoarthritis. C capsaicin can also help to relieve inflammation in muscles and joints.
Helps to relieve:
- Osteoarthritis
- Sore muscles and joints
Herbs and Spices
Vegetables are a great source of fibre and antioxidants, which are known to reduce inflammation and pain.
Ginger
Ginger is a spice with anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain.
Incorporating ginger into your diet can help to relieve:
Arthritis
- Headaches (including migraines)
- Sore muscles and joints
Tumeric and Turmeric Root (Curcumin)
Turmeric is a spice that contains anti-inflammatory properties which can help to reduce pain.
Tumeric can help to relieve:
- Arthritis
- Headaches (including migraines)
- Sore muscles and joints
Fruit
Fruits are a source of vitamin C, which is known to help to reduce inflammation and support your immune system. In addition, vitamin C reduces free radicals in your body, which cause damage to the cellular structure and can lead to various health issues, including pain.
Cherries and Cherry Juice
Cherries are a rich source of anthocyanins, potent antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation. Anthocyanins also have the added benefit of improving blood pressure by supporting blood vessel health.
Including Cherries in your diet can help to relieve:
- Arthritis
- Muscle and Joint Pain
Blueberries and Blueberry Juice
Like cherries, blueberries are a rich source of antioxidants and anthocyanins. Blueberries are also known to support blood vessels and improve blood flow. In addition, it can help to reduce inflammation and pain.
Blueberries in your diet can help to relieve:
- Arthritis
- Muscle and Joint Pain
Foods to Reduce or Avoid for Pain Relief
If you suffer from chronic back and neck pain, you should reduce foods high in sugar. These foods can trigger inflammation, which can worsen your pain symptoms.
If you suffer from chronic pain, you should consider reducing these foods:
- Red Meat
Processed meats such as:
- Sausage
- Hotdogs
- Hamburgers
- Beef Jerky and other beef products are high in sodium and sugar
High processed sugar foods such as:
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Candy
- Soft Drinks
Conclusion
Eating a nutritious diet, when paired with effective pain rehabilitation treatments, can have a substantial and positive impact on the treatment of pain symptoms. While we don’t propose completely removing foods you enjoy, we do suggest lowering your intake if they are contributing to your symptoms. Increasing your intake of anti-inflammatory foods can help you feel less discomfort. Always contact your doctor before making any dietary adjustments. Each patient is different, and what works for one person may not work for another; it’s critical to figure out what works best for you.
Make an Appointment
If you suffer from chronic pain, we can help you. Book an appointment with one of our pain specialists today.
