The Link Between a Healthier Diet and Less Pain

Have you ever heard the expression “you are what you eat?” It's true in many circumstances, especially regarding pain and inflammation.

The foods you eat could contribute to chronic pain and discomfort, worsening your symptoms.

If you're ready to get control of your pain and your life, the Delmarva Pain and Spine Center team can help. Dr. Shachi Patel is our pain management specialist who offers dietary advice and counseling when you're trying to get healthier and improve your pain.

What causes pain?

Pain is a sensation people feel when the body sends pain signals to the brain, resulting in discomfort. The nerves that sense pain are called nociceptors and send a response through your spinal cord to your brain.

Everyone experiences pain differently, depending on the cause. It can stay in one specific area or be widespread throughout your body.

Your body often produces pain in response to an injury or illness as it attempts to protect your tissues.

Pain can be acute, meaning it happens suddenly, or chronic, meaning it sticks around even with treatment measures.

People describe pain differently, including burning, stinging, sharp, or stabbing sensations. Chronic pain may feel like an ache or dull discomfort throughout the day.

Various factors affect your pain, especially your diet. The foods you eat substantially impact your overall health, including pain.

How does your diet reduce pain?

If you're living with chronic pain, changing your diet can significantly help reduce your symptoms. Many processed foods today lead to chronic inflammation in your body, which your brain may perceive as pain.

Eating many inflammatory foods triggers widespread inflammation, resulting in chronic discomfort.

Inflammatory foods may also lead to obesity and other chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. These conditions also cause pain throughout your body.

Changing certain lifestyle habits, including your diet, can help when living with chronic pain. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods and regular physical activity significantly reduce your body's discomfort.

Dr. Patel provides information regarding anti-inflammatory foods to begin ridding your body of chronic, painful inflammation. Changing your diet can significantly reduce inflammation and treat pain that not even other treatments have helped.

Anti-inflammatory foods to eat

When you're ready to start getting rid of chronic pain through natural measures, changing your diet is the first step.

Various types of anti-inflammatory foods reduce pain and inflammation throughout your body. Some of the main foods you should eat to improve chronic pain include:

Eat whole grains

Whole grains are much better for your body than processed carbohydrates. For instance, choose oats, quinoa, and brown rice over-processed bread and white rice.

Add in cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables are potent anti-inflammatory foods that fight pain. Choose broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage to kickstart your anti-inflammatory routine.

Mix up the colors on your plate

A colorful plate is the best way to ensure you get all the anti-inflammatory foods you need. Dr. Patel recommends adding the colors of the rainbow to every meal to decrease your body's inflammatory response.

Include plenty of fruits and vegetables on your plate for the best outcome.

To decrease inflammation, avoid red meat as much as possible and limit your dairy intake.

You may need to experiment with your diet to determine what will work for you. You also don't need to eliminate certain foods, but be mindful of how much you eat and how often you incorporate them into your diet.

Call our office in Newark, Delaware, today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel for chronic pain, or book an appointment on the website.