How to Reduce Chronic Pain with Foods

Chronic pain can often be alleviated or even eliminated by changing the foods you eat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fruits & veggies
• Salmon
• Ginger
• Journal or notebook

1. 
    

   Inflammation is often an underlying cause of chronic pain. While each case should be evaluated and diagnosed by a medical professional, you can begin the healing process in your kitchen.

2. 
    
   Record your progress

   First, rely on your own intuition: do you notice that your pain increases within several hours of eating certain foods? If so, try eliminating that food for a few weeks. You'll need to eliminate it, evaluate your pain level, then add it back into your diet. This elimination cycle should take about 12 weeks in all (3 weeks elimination, 3 weeks with the suspect food back in your diet, another 3 weeks of elimination, then 3 weeks of final analysis). Be sure to keep a written journal documenting your pain and any other observations during this entire time.

3. 
    
   Eliminate refined sugars

   Here are some common inflammation producing culprits to start your elimination diet:
   
   * Avoid refined and processed foods as much as possible. Included in this category are:
   * Polyunsaturated vegetable oils (such as safflower and corn oils) and the partially hydrogenated oils found in many margarines, snack and convenience foods, and vegetable shortenings. READ LABELS!
   * Nightshade vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant.
   * Refined sugar in all forms.
   * Some dairy products, such as aged cheeses.
   
   Eliminate one food at a time, evaluate and document your pain.

4. 
    
   Fresh ginger root

   Foods that can alleviate pain should be added to your diet several times each week, including:
   
   * Plenty of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids:
   - these are found in wild-Alaskan salmon and other cold-water fish;
   - freshly ground flaxseeds and omega-3 fortified eggs;
   - walnuts are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
   
   * Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables of ALL colors.
   * Add ginger and turmeric to your diet or take them as supplements.

Tips & Warnings

• Be pro-active in your own health.
• Seek advice from a qualified Naturopathic Physician
• Pay attention to the signs and signals your body gives you!
• Have your pain evaluated and diagnosed by a qualified medical professional.
• Do not stop or alter any medications prescribed by your health care professional.
• If pain worsens, seek medical attention.

Resources

• DonnaBainton.USANA.com

[lynnp]

on 11/22/2009 I think there is a lot going on between our food and our body that is not healthy. The food industry is not looking out for us, and we need to be more vigilant about what "they" are feeding us. I have chronic pain (fibromyalgia) and am currently tracking down dairy as a culprit. Thank you for your article. 5*

[djackman]

on 6/18/2009 reducing pain with food, who knew it could be this easy 5*

[xopinkdiamondz]

on 4/19/2009 Great article on how to reduce chronic pain with foods! Could come in very useful. i'll keep that in mind. 5* and a rec!

[xcelwealth]

on 4/2/2009 Thanks for the tips. I have Muscular Dystrophy, and suffers a lot of shoulder, arms and leg pains. Any more suggestions?I do yoga for to try and relieve the pain. Sometimes it helps, sometimes not

[jujudy]

on 3/26/2009 I enjoyed your article. Your tips sound useful for those who already have chronic pain or for those of us who would like to avoid that type of misery. 5*s.