Are you tired of waking up with that nagging back pain or dealing with the discomfort of sciatica that won't go away? If you're near Redwood City and looking for answers, you might be surprised to learn that what you put on your plate can significantly alleviate your back and leg pain. Read on as we share essential diet tips that can help you combat sciatica pain. Also, please keep reading to understand the role of our chiropractor for sciatica and leg pain near Redwood City in helping you get your life back.
When we think about back pain relief, our minds often jump to physical treatments like the adjustments you receive from our chiropractor for sciatica and leg pain near Redwood City. While these are all valuable options, we often overlook our daily diet's impact on our overall health, including our spine and nerves.
Inflammation is a primary culprit behind chronic back pain and sciatica. The food items we eat can either contribute to inflammation or help reduce it. Thankfully, making smart dietary choices can support your body's natural healing processes and lessen your pain.
A mostly plant-based diet that includes foods like flax and chia seeds can help you avoid inflammation. Pair these with omega-3-rich coldwater fish like herring, salmon, mackerel, sardines, black cod, tuna, and trout for an anti-inflammatory powerhouse.
Nutritionists suggest eating deeply colored fruits and vegetables because these are well known for their anti-inflammatory properties. If you're looking for food products that help reduce sciatica pain and are loaded with nutrition, try carrots, cherries, beets, berries, sweet potatoes, grapes, red wine, pomegranate, and watermelon.
Herbs and spices are not only great for flavor but also rich in anti-inflammatory agents. Basil, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, rosemary, cucumbers, onions, oregano, and turmeric can help fight inflammation and reduce pain. Adding these to your meals can enhance their healing properties. Also, consider drinking healthy herb teas and true teas (green, oolong, and white) for additional benefits.
Did you know that olive oil, green tea, and brightly colored fruits and vegetables can help reduce inflammation in cartilage in the spinal column? Studies note that these are quite handy in reducing the severity of back pain and muscle stiffness. When eating veggies, think "the greener, the better." Kale, spinach, and broccoli are all top choices for an anti-inflammatory diet.
Other good food options to curb your sciatica symptoms include cocoa, avocados, lean proteins and nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, and Brazil nuts).
Many dietitians and nutritions recommend avoiding nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, white potatoes, and peppers) if you suspect they might contribute to inflammation in your body. To find out if these vegetables affect you, eliminate them for two weeks and see if your symptoms improve.
You should also look into other processed foods, fast foods, and saturated fats, because these often trigger inflammation. This includes white bread, pasta, rice, sugary drinks and snacks, fried foods, and anything with partially hydrogenated oil, often found in products with a long shelf-life, such as crackers, chips, and pastries. Also, stay away from excessive caffeine and alcohol.
Besides avoiding certain food products, you must also ensure you're getting enough of calcium and vitamin D. Take note that the bone is the body's storage reservoir for calcium. As you age, maintaining bone mass can become challenging, which can lead to conditions like osteopenia or osteoporosis, weakening the spinal bones. Calcium contributes to bone mass, helping you avoid these conditions.
However, you must take note that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends consuming no more than 2,000 milligrams of calcium a day from foods or supplements. Excessive amounts of calcium in the body can increase the risk for heart problems and atherosclerosis.
While adjusting your diet can make a significant difference, it's important to remember that it's just one piece of the puzzle. Addressing neck misalignment is another crucial aspect that you should look into. Thankfully, that’s where a chiropractor for sciatica and leg pain near Redwood City like Dr. Tsiglieris comes in.
Visiting a chiropractor near Redwood City can help you determine if your atlas is not properly aligned with the rest of the spine. Additionally, this will help you address the imbalance and help ease the pain that prevents you from living life to the fullest. So, if you haven’t looked into atlas bone misalignment as the root cause of your pain yet, we strongly recommend scheduling your appointment with Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City.
To schedule a complimentary consultation call our Redwood City office at 650-595-0500 or you can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com
