Over 116 million American adults suffer from chronic pain. That means that more than one-third of the US population suffers from chronic pain! Prescription pain medications and over the counter medications help treat symptoms, but they do not treat the cause of chronic pain. In fact, more often than not, these drugs are accompanied by nasty side effects or even addiction.
Dr. James N. Dillard, author of The Chronic Pain Solution, states, “No matter how well you prescribe medication, chronic sufferers don’t get complete relief. It’s an enormous problem, and the medical community is doing a bad job of solving it.”
Luckily, chronic sufferers do not have to live this way forever! Through chiropractic care and powerful food choices, relief can be found. Chiropractic treats pain and its source. Once Dr. Dee, at Healing Hands Chiropractic has identified the source of the pain, a proper course of action can be found. To schedule your chiropractic consultation today, contact Healing Hands Chiropractic!
Food choices also play a great factor in treating chronic pain. Dr. James A Duke, PhD, author of The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods states, “Almost always, if we find pharmaceuticals doing the trick, we’ll find a plant doing the same trick — and doing it more safely.” In order to reap these benefits, however, you have got to clean up your diet. Get rid of the junk in your diet that promotes inflammation in the body — this means processed foods and refined carbs have got to go. Focus on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, and seeds. If you don’t eliminate the crud from your diet, you cannot expect food to help treat your chronic pain.
Here are 8 foods that are proven to help treat chronic pain — try adding them into your diet for relief!
8 Foods That Help Treat Chronic Pain
1. Cherries. Cherries are packed with powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that help combat pain. These antioxidants block inflammation while inhibiting pain enzymes, much like aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory medications. A study done in the Journal of Nutrition found that people who ate a bowl of cherries for breakfast experienced a 25% reduction in an inflammation marker. Tart cherry juice has also proven to help runners experience less muscle pain!
2. Ginger. Ginger has several medicinal benefits when incorporated into one’s diet. It’s known for easing upset stomaches, its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and pain relief from migraines, arthritis, and muscle aches. Ginger is pretty simple to incorporate into your diet. Try drinking ginger tea, add some to your lemonade, or cook with it!
3. Salmon, herring, and sardines. Fish that is low in mercury and high in omega-3 fatty acids is proven to reduce back pain. How? The blood vessels in a healthy back help transport vital nutrients to the disks. If this blood flow is slowed down via subluxations or other injuries, the disks in the spine lose their source of nutrients. This leads to degeneration and chronic pain. Omega-3s help increase blood flow and reduce inflammation in blood vessels. For an extra boost, incorporate fish oil capsules into your morning routine.
4. Turmeric. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in medicine to help aid digestion and provide pain relief. It’s great anti-inflammatory properties are due to curcumin. This substance helps protect the body’s tissues and joints, while preserving cell function. You can easily incorporate turmeric into your diet by adding it into salad dressings, soups, grains, veggies, and more.
5. Yogurt. Nearly 20% of Americans suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. This syndrome includes terrible stomach pain that often makes simply eating uncomfortable! Several clinical studies have shown the effectiveness in yogurt and its bacterial strains in combatting IBS pains. The healthy bacteria in yogurt help reduce pain, inflammation, and even bloating. Remember though, not all yogurts are created equally. Shop for yogurts with live and active cultures to reap these healthy benefits.
6. Coffee. Coffee is good for a lot more than just a burst of energy. The caffeine in coffee helps reduce pain by narrowing the dilated blood vessels that often occur with headaches. Coffee also helps amplify the effects of other pain relievers. Coffee works best as a pain reliever if you do not over-consume it on a regular basis.
7. Mint. Peppermint contains menthol which is proven to help prevent muscle spasms, relieve headaches, and help you relax. You can easily use peppermint essential oil by rubbing it on your temples, wrists, and even stomach to help treat stomach pain such as IBS. Peppermint tea is also a great way to help reduce inflammation throughout the body.
8. Hot Peppers. Hot peppers contain an ingredient called capsaicin that provides great pain relief. Capsaicin stimulates nerve endings in the body and depletes a chemical that relays pain signals. You can purchase capsaicin cream at most pharmacies, or just try incorporating more hot peppers into your daily diet! Work them into your favorite soup and chili recipes for a great way to reduce inflammation and pain throughout the body.
Healing Hands Chiropractic Can Help
Chronic pain is a terrible thing to live with. By making minor adjustments to your diet, food can help combat your chronic pain! Chiropractic care from Dr. Dee at Healing Hands chiropractic, located in Murfreesboro, TN can also help reduce the effects of chronic pain in your life. Chiropractic treats pain at its source. Get started on your journey to wellness today with Healing Hands Chiropractic!
151 Heritage Park Drive Suite 401,
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Phone: 615-203-3505
