Treating chronic back pain requires a specialized approach, and not just in terms of medical treatment. The actions you take at home are just as significant as the actions taken by your medical provider. Did you know that your diet can contribute to your pain and even help reduce some of your symptoms? If you are not eating with your chronic pain condition in mind, now is the time to change your habits. 

1. Skip the Drive-Thru

Resist the urge to head to a fast food restaurant when you need to grab a quick bite. Fast food is unhealthy, which should be enough to keep you away. However, fast food is generally processed food, which means that it is full of artificial trans-fat. Artificial trans-fat can cause inflammatory symptoms around the body. 

If your back pain is triggered by inflammation, you could experience a great deal of discomfort, particularly if these foods make up a large part of your diet. Prepare healthy meals at the start of the week so that you'll be less apt to stop at a fast food restaurant. 

2. Incorporate Calcium

When you were younger, you probably had a glass of milk every morning with breakfast. However, now that you're an adult, you don't drink milk as often. While you don't have to go milk-crazy, boosting the amount of calcium you intake can help.

If the source of your back pain is osteoporosis, consuming more calcium will not reverse the effects of the condition, but it can improve your bone health and help control symptoms. Consuming more calcium can also help with muscle cramps and spasms in the back. 

3. Keep Water Handy

Make sure you drink plenty of water on a regular basis. Staying hydrated is an excellent way to help work through your pain. Did you know that the discs that surround your spine primarily consist of water? The water helps improve flexibility and reduces friction as you move throughout the day.

When you don't drink enough water and your body gets dehydrated, even the discs can lose some of their water supply and can cause greater discomfort. If you have a hard time drinking water, consider purchasing a fruit infuser to add flavor to your water.  

When it comes to chronic back pain, no two people will have the same experience. For this reason, it's essential you visit a clinic or back pain management center for specialized treatment options and to learn more about what specific diet adjustments will work best in your situation.

Share