The spine is a complex piece of human anatomy, containing dozens of joints, bones, muscles, and intervertebral discs. These components must work together to facilitate movement and carry your body weight.
Unfortunately, the complexity of the spine makes it prone to acute injuries including muscle strains, herniated discs, and joint misalignments. We regularly treat these issues at our chiropractic clinic in Stoke on Trent.
Many patients also have chronic back problems relating to their lifestyle. Their posture, habits, ergonomics, and diet can contribute to the long term back pain which causes them to seek out help from our chiropractors in Stoke on Trent.
In this post, our Stoke chiropractor takes a look at the link between diet and back pain.
The Link Between Diet and Back Pain
Chronic back pain can be a complex condition with several contributing factors. Here are some of the ways food can be involved with back pain:
Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is common in people with chronic back pain. Inflammation can be caused by various medical conditions, but food can also play a role. Some of the foods which worsen inflammation include:
- Red meat
If you eat a diet high in red meat, you would be consuming high levels of a substance called neu5gcor N-Glycolylneuraminic acid. This has been shown to promote inflammation. - Alcohol
When you consume large quantities of alcohol, in simple terms the body sees it as a poison which must be eradicated. Your liver kicks into overdrive and the intestines become inflamed. Eventually, it can cause systemic inflammation that can affect your muscles and joints. Some of the patients who attend our chiropractic clinic in Stoke on Trent have remarkable improvements in their health by simply cutting back on alcohol consumption. - Caffeine
Most people can consume caffeine without too many adverse effects. However, a proportion of people will experience an inflammatory response after drinking large amounts of coffee or tea. - Refined sugars
Eating large amounts of refined sugar causes the pancreas to go into overdrive, as it produces insulin. There is also an increased immune response in fatty tissue which can cause inflammation. - Saturated fat and trans fats
Both of these fats are linked to inflammation and a variety of other health issues.
Obesity
If you eat a poor diet, it can contribute to obesity which may cause back pain. If you are 20 or 30kgs overweight, you will have much more strain placed on your spine’s joints, muscles, and intervertebral discs. This also increases the risk of injury and chronic pain.
Nutritional deficiencies
Good spinal health requires a vast range of nutrients, including proteins, vitamins C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. If you don’t have foods with the right nutrients in your diet, your spine’s joints, bones, muscles, and intervertebral discs may become prone to injury.
Try to eat a diet that is high in:
- Plant based proteins (for fibre, antioxidants, and protein)
- Salmon, seaweed, and flaxseeds (for omega-3 fatty acids)
- Olive oil, sesame oil, avocado (for anti-inflammatory omega-9 fatty acids)
- Dark green vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli (for antioxidants and vitamins)
- Complex carbohydrates (for fibre and carbohydrates)
- Dairy foods (for calcium)
- Foods containing turmeric (for its anti-inflammatory properties)
- Herbal teas (for anti-inflammatory properties)
If you need some help planning a new diet, talk to a nutritionist or ask one of chiropractors for advice.
Dehydration
Water is essential for the health of the spine. It removes toxins and waste from the spine, which helps your muscles and joints function more optimally. Water is also important for rejuvenating your spinal discs, which are the fluid filled discs which separate spinal vertebrae.
Visiting our chiropractic clinic in Stoke
If you are suffering pain or discomfort in your back, our chiropractic team at City Chiropractic in Stoke are here to help you. At City Chiropractic Clinic, our chiropractors believe it is important to look for the root cause of your problem rather than treat your symptoms.
“This place has been a massive help to me professional, affordable, quick and the results are brilliant. Spent a year arched over walking like a duck now back to my normal self it took a few sessions to put right but the outcome is phenomenal. The staff are helpful and are always available for advice. Friendly and really are experts in this department. Would highly recommend.” Jack R 5-Star Google Review
If you need any more information or wish to book a consultation, call our chiropractic clinic in Stoke on Trent on 01782 848 184.