Can an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Reduce Back Pain?

A healthy and balanced diet is key for overall health. The calories in provide you energy to keep up with physical activities. And the micronutrients aid in the consistent repair and growth of our musculoskeletal system.

A diet rich in carbs from cereals & legumes, fruits & vegetables, and protein from animal or plant sources is a well-balanced diet. A well-balanced diet avoids nutrient deficiencies that can lead to a drop in immunity and other health conditions.

But is there a particular diet regimen that can remedy specific health conditions like back pain?  If yes, what foods make up this anti-inflammatory diet that can reduce back pain? With the inputs from an orthopaedic and spine specialist in UK Mr Jwalant S Mehta we answer these questions here:

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is the response of our immune system to a foreign entrant. Whenever a foreign invader – bacteria, virus or any other pathogen attacks the body, our immune system sends inflammatory cells that attack them and trigger healing. The redness and swelling in the part of this acute inflammation process which is key for healing.

However, in a few cases, the body’s immune system may trigger and continue the inflammation even without any abject harm to the body. This is called chronic inflammation can harm the healthy cells and trigger an array of health conditions. “Chronic inflammation that lasts for more than 3 months can lead to heart diseases and diabetes. Inflammation can even affect the spine and other neurological systems leading to Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rheumatoid arthritis and even multiple sclerosis”, says orthopaedic and spine specialist in UK Mr. Jwalant S Mehta.

What is Inflammatory Back Pain?

Inflammatory back pain is back pain caused by inflammatory conditions. It is characterized by pain in the axial spine and sacroiliac joints localized around the lumbar spine. Medications, physical therapy, the right exercise regimen, breathing exercise and proper posture adherence are common suggestions for easing inflammatory back pain.

In addition to this adopting an anti-inflammatory diet is also found to reduce back pain. In a medical study, it was revealed a control group that adopted an anti-inflammatory diet was found to have 42% less chance of inflammatory back pain when compared to the control group that adopted a pro-inflammatory diet.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Avoiding the foods that flame inflammation in the body and adopting the foods that reduce this inflammation makes up an anti-inflammatory diet.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet that Reduce Back Pain

Fruits (focus on berries), legumes/pulses, dark leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, olives and olive oil, spices & herbs (ginger, garlic, turmeric, oregano, rosemary, cinnamon &cloves) and green tea.

Food to Avoid with Back Pain

Refined grains, sugary foods & beverages, vegetable oils, red meat, processed corn, dairy products, and fried & processed foods.

If your diet is already an anti-inflammatory one, you live a healthy and active life and yet are experiencing back pain, then it could be a sign of an inherent spinal condition that needs immediate consultation. If you are in the UK and are looking for help, you can contact Children & Adult Spinal Surgeon in UK Mr Jwalant S Mehta .