Preventing Back Pain By Changing Your Diet

20 September 2017
 Categories: , Blog

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If you have a back pain issue caused by subluxations or the misalignment of the spinal vertebrae, then chiropractic care can help you. However, this care is the start of the healing process. Once the vertebrae are in the correct position, the muscles will need to repair and relax themselves. This requires some work on your part, and a good diet can assist with this. Keep reading to learn about a few types of foods that can help you prevent back pain.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

You may understand that certain types of foods can cause bodily inflammation. If you are serious about healing, then you should avoid some of these food items. A few examples include dairy foods, refined carbohydrates, sugars, trans fat, and alcohol.

There are also a wide variety of foods that reduce inflammation. Broccoli, leafy greens, and fish are a few examples. You can also eat pineapple, which contains an enzyme called bromelain. Bromelain has long been used as a dietary supplement to reduce digestive inflammation issues. However, pineapple can also assist with bodily inflammation, like muscle strains, because the bromelain enzyme helps to regulate the immune system in a way that unnecessary inflammation is reduced.

Berries are also a good choice as an inflammation fighting food. For example, blueberries contain an antioxidant called quercetin that reduces inflammation in the body. All berries contain antioxidants, so you can choose whichever berry variety you like to reduce your back pain issues.

Protein-Rich Foods

When your tissues become inflamed, they also go through some cellular damage. This type of damage needs to be repaired to reduce inflammation and to also build strength. Strength and repair are also required if you work with your chiropractor to build up the muscles so your spinal column is supported better. To build the tissues, your body requires protein, as this nutrient provides the building blocks for all cells. A variety of amino acids are needed, so you should consume a variety of foods that contain plant and animal based proteins. 

Plant based proteins can be found in foods like hummus, quinoa, lentils, and chia seeds. All types of meats contain protein. However, since trans and saturated fats can cause inflammation issues, it is wise to eat lean meats like fish, chicken, and turkey. Eggs are a good source of protein as well. 

If you start eating more protein, then you also should think about increasing your intake of water. Protein synthesis does require a great deal of energy and your kidneys will also be placed under stress as byproducts from digestion are removed and excreted.

Talk with a chiropractor from a clinic like Allendale Chiropractic Clinic to learn more about reducing back pain.