What Can You Do For Severe Back Pain? – Healthy Diet
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What can you do for severe back pain? The treatment type for back pain depends on the patient’s condition, symptoms severity, and overall health status. If you have an acute condition, you can get back pain relief immediately by taking over-the-counter (OTC) medication like NSAIDs, apply heat and cold therapies, or take epidural steroid injections.
However, if you want to avoid medication side effects, you should follow a holistic health approach, which focuses on exercises, including strengthening and stretching workouts, a well-balanced diet, and meditation. Many people ask: what foods help lower back pain? In today’s article, we will discuss what foods to eat and what to avoid to get back pain relief.
What Can You Do For Severe Back Pain?
Research shows that chronic inflammation increases the risk of heart diseases, obesity, diabetes, and worsen back pain. Bear in mind that your dietary regimen can affect your back pain symptoms.
For instance, if you eat healthy foods, you will experience reduced inflammation and pain. Conversely, if you consume unhealthy foods, you will have increase muscle inflammation and experience severe back pain. What can you do for severe back pain? You must avoid the following food items:
Artificial Trans Fats
Trans-fats are considered unhealthy fats because they are created artificially by adding hydrogen molecules to unsaturated fats. Studies show that consuming hydrogenated oil or fats can increase C-reaction-protein (CRP) levels in the body.
These inflammatory markers can increase discomfort and lead to severe back pain. Make sure you avoid foods high in Trans-fats, such as fast food, packaged cakes, margarine, microwave popcorn, and French fries.
Sugar and Corn Syrup
The western diet contains two primary types of added sugar: high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar. Bear in mind that sugar contains 50% fructose and 50% glucose, and corn syrup has 55% fructose and 45% sugar.
According to MINT’s experienced and qualified neurosurgeons, added sugar can increase inflammation in your spinal muscles and cause severe back pain. Therefore, avoid food items with high sugar levels, such as cookies, soft drinks, chocolate, candy, cereals, sweet pastries, and doughnuts.
Refined Carbohydrates
Studies have confirmed that refined carbohydrates lead to the removal of fiber and increase blood sugar. It also affects your gut bacteria, leading to a compromised immune system. Refined carbohydrates in the western diet also strengthen inflammation-causing gut bacteria, leading to increased risk of obesity that can worsen your back pain.
Make sure you avoid food items like cookies, sugar soft drinks, bread, pasta, candy, pastries, certain cereals, and processed foods that contain added flour and sugar. The purpose is to reduce inflammation and get back pain relief.
What Foods Help Lower Back Pain?
What can you for severe back pain? What are food items that you can consume to reduce inflammation in your spinal muscles and decrease pain in your cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine? Here are a few foods that you can consume:
Fresh Veggies and Fruits
Some fresh veggies and fruits, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, grapes, cherries, berries, watermelon, blueberries, raspberries, and pomegranate, are rich sources of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. High-level anti-inflammatory compounds in these foods can suppress inflammation markers and prostaglandins to give you back pain relief.
Omega-3 Fatty Fish
What foods help lower back pain? Can omega-3 fatty fish reduce inflammation and pain? Fatty fish are a rich source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA. Fish, such as salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel, also contains healthy proteins and anti-inflammatory compounds. Your body metabolized DHA and EPA into anti-inflammatory compounds, such as resolvins and protectins, to reduce inflammation and pain.
Spices and Herbs
Spices and herbs, such as garlic, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, clove, and cayenne, are effective against inflammation in your spinal muscles. Consuming an adequate amount of spices and herbs according to your doctor’s instructions can help you get back pain relief. Other foods that you can eat to reduce severe back pain are:
- Mushrooms
- Green tea
- Broccoli
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Dark chocolate and cocoa
Final Words
It is crucial to consult your doctor before consuming these foods. Your doctor or dietician can develop a better diet program or meal plan to ensure you get back pain relief quickly. If your back pain persists for a long time or more than 2-3 months, you must consult a neurosurgeon for advanced treatment options, such as epidural steroid injections or minimally invasive surgery. What can you do for severe back pain? Contact MINT today for more information.
