How Anti-Inflammatory Diets Decrease Chronic Pain
Turning to junk food is a common response for patients suffering with chronic pain. While eating unhealthy foods can be comforting in the moment, it can cause long-term issues down the road. A healthy diet, along with exercise, stress management and pain treatment are integrative approaches to pain management. Incorporating an anti-inflammatory diet into your comprehensive pain plan is a great way to achieve lasting relief.
The pain doctors in Asheville at the Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas have a variety of treatment plans along with nutrition specialists to help you take healthy steps towards a pain free life.
Diet and Inflammation
Inflammation is our bodies’ immune response to injuries or tissue damage. Inflammation not only causes physical pain, but it can also trigger other chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Foods that cause inflammation:
Sugar & high-fructose corn syrup
Artificial trans fats: fried foods and processed foods that list hydrogenated vegetable oil on the ingredient list.
Refined carbohydrates: white bread, pasta, pastries or processed foods that contain added sugar or flour
Alcohol
Processed meats: bacon, smoked meat, sausage or beef jerky
Anti-Inflammatory Diet Basics
A healthy diet is an important element to decrease pain suffering. Here are a few anti-inflammatory food basics for decreased chronic pain:
Eat your veggies: Leafy greens are packed with vitamins and nutrients our bodies need. Other important anti-inflammatory vegetables are known as cruciferous vegetables; such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and cabbage.
Restrict process foods: Pre-packaged food items tend to be loaded with added sugars, oils and sodium.
Choose whole grains: Switch out white bread and start using whole grain. Little changes like this are easy to make and can make a big difference in how you feel.
Drink more water: Water keeps our bodies hydrated without adding extra calories—unlike juice or soda. Try adding fruits or cucumber slices into to your water to pack in the flavor.
More Weight, More Pain
We’ve found that patients with chronic pain whom are also overweight tend to report more severe levels of pain than those of a healthier size. While you may not need to go on any strict diet, it’s important and highly beneficial to monitor your weight and pain levels if they fluctuate.
Health and Nutrition Counseling
As a key piece of our comprehensive pain solutions, our clinics also offer health and nutrition counseling. This service helps chronic pain patients to reduce inflammation, improve weight loss and promote healing. Our counselors can help you to develop healthy meal plans, exercise routines and schedules to incorporate day-to-day healthy activities. It’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all diet for everyone. Talk with your doctor before making any long-term diet changes. Read more about our nutrition service offerings right here.
Pain Doctors in Asheville NC
Healthy eating is just one step in the right direction when you’re living with pain. While diets alone can’t cure all types of chronic pain, it can help to control inflammation and pain severity. Our pain doctors in Asheville and nutritionists are here to help you on your road to recovery. Get in touch with us today!
Get in touch with us by calling 828-483-4438
Disclaimer: You should always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider before beginning any exercise program. The information contained in this article does not constitute medical advice, nor does reading or accessing this information create a patient-provider relationship. Comments that you post will be shared with all visitors to this page. All comments are not governed by HIPAA and you should not post any private health information.