Inflammation is a known cause for neck and back pain, and many everyday habits, lifestyle choices, and foods have been shown to either reduce or increase inflammation. Through maintaining a healthy lifestyle and making the right choices, you can actually manage and even minimize spine-related pain. Here are a few helpful suggestions to keep in mind …

Hydration

Proper hydration is very important for your health, as your body relies on water for many bodily processes and to flush out everyday toxins. When your body is well hydrated, you are better able to maintain soft tissue elasticity and fluidity in your joints. A loss of water in the joints will allow toxins to linger, which leads to pain and inflammation. Further, spinal disks are quite vulnerable to a loss of hydration. When your body is dehydrated, your disks can begin to shrink and lose height, making you more susceptible to inflammation from painful disk conditions. Consuming adequate amounts of clean, fresh water will be your best choice for staying well hydrated.

Since daily requirements vary, be sure to consult with your primary care provider about the amount of water you will need to consume based on factors such as your body size and level of physical activity. To avoid losing interest in consuming sufficient amounts of water, it’s always good to try and add in some fresh fruits, as doing so will give you a boost in both flavor and vitamins.

Another factor to consider when it comes to hydration and inflammation is what not to drink. Avoiding or at least strictly limiting your consumption of colas, sugary drinks, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks like coffee is vital to staying well hydrated and managing neck and back pain.

At Stridewell Same-Day Spine Clinic, our medical professionals are experts in spine health. They can offer helpful guidance on healthy dietary considerations and many other lifestyle modifications that can help you to live better and manage your pain. Stridewell Tips

Dietary Considerations

Eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, natural and unprocessed foods, foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids such as wild ocean fish, and high-quality lean proteins will help reduce your risk of experiencing inflammation and pain.

On the flip side, an unhealthy lifestyle and consuming a poor diet can lead to damaging inflammation in the joints of your spine. Specific factors that will greatly increase your risk of pain and inflammation include consuming processed foods, not getting enough fresh fruits and vegetables, eating fried foods, eating foods high in hydrogenated fats, consuming too many sweet and starchy foods, and not getting enough Vitamin D from natural sources, fortified foods, or sunlight.

Lifestyle & Environmental Factors

Lifestyle factors such as being overweight, smoking cigarettes, not getting enough exercise, poor oral health, excessive alcohol consumption, and stress can also contribute to inflammation in the body. Further, environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals, air pollution, and harmful residues can also cause an inflammatory response in the body.

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