5 Unexpected Benefits of Acupuncture
Whether you get acupuncture to help with chronic pain, allergies, migraines, or something else, it can yield some other benefits, too. Here are five perks of this ancient treatment that might surprise you.
The Link Between Nutrition and Pain Relief
To some extent, you know that there’s a connection between what you eat and your pain levels. You might have made yourself uncomfortable with an overly large meal or an excessively spicy dish in the past.
But that connection doesn’t just arise in one-off situations. What you eat can directly impact your pain levels, making them better or worse over time.
As experts in both nutrition and pain management, Dr. Trace Alexander and our Legacy Pain and Regenerative Medicine team can help here. Visit our office in Plano or Addison, Texas, and we can tailor a food plan designed to alleviate your discomfort.
How nutrition can moderate pain
Medical experts have long documented how nutrition impacts pain levels. According to one review paper in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, diet “can play a significant role in the occurrence, prognosis, and maintenance of chronic non-cancer pain...” It also noted that nutrition is “the top modifiable lifestyle factor for chronic non-communicable diseases including chronic pain.”
In other words, if you’re exploring pain management techniques, look at your plate.
Inflammation, pain, and diet
A lot of the link between nutrition and pain stems from inflammation.
Inflammation is your body’s response to anything it deems harmful. When it’s addressing something that actually puts you at risk — like a pathogen — it helps your healing. But it causes swelling, tenderness, and even pain.
The trouble is that you can trigger inflammation in your body without exposing it to something like a harmful germ. Certain ingredients in processed foods can cause inflammation.
Fortunately, the reverse is also true. Good nutrition — including substances like antioxidants and omega-3 fats — can soothe inflammation which may help minimize pain.
Getting what your body needs
You might benefit from certain nutrients depending on the condition causing your pain. When you visit our office, Dr. Alexander assesses your symptoms, your health history, and your current food habits. He might have you keep a food diary leading up to your appointment to give him a clear idea of what you eat.
He also orders blood and urine testing. This allows him to pinpoint any nutritional deficiencies.
Once he determine what your body may need and what might moderate your pain, he creates a meal plan for you. Usually, it includes mostly whole foods with minimal sugar and unhealthy fats.
You should also be drinking lots of water. Being dehydrated can make you more sensitive to pain, so ample fluid intake is important.
Depending on your health condition and the results of your testing, Dr. Alexander might also recommend supplements to introduce more of the nutrients you need.
When you visit us, Dr. Alexander and our team come alongside you to leverage nutrition as a way to help with your pain. To explore how modifying your diet could help you feel better, call our team at Legacy Pain and Regenerative Medicine at 972-899-9797 or send us a message online today.
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