Nutrition is integral to our health; not only is it a source of fuel but it also provides many of the essential nutrients that we need to keep us in optimal health. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or wanting to make changes to maintain your musculoskeletal health, good nutrition is vital. The food you eat affects different areas, such as:
- Calorie intake — during recovery, there can be a tendency to gain weight as you are less active. This can put additional pressure on the spine and slow your recovery.
- Protein intake — if you have damaged muscles, chiropractic care with a carefully planned diet can assist in speeding up recovery time.
- Essential vitamins and minerals — calcium, in particular, is vital for bone strength which may impact spinal alignment and cause back pain.
Together chiropractic care and nutrition can achieve more than either on its own and will help you achieve the best outcome if you have back pain.
An integrated approach tailored to the individual
Your spine is essential for connecting your brain to the rest of your body, but poor nutrition can interrupt the flow of information and may prevent chiropractic treatments from working effectively. As we work to realign your spine, eating a balanced diet can:
- Reduce inflammation — many of the cases we see include the inflammation of muscles around the spine. A natural approach incorporating foods such as tomatoes, olive oil, leafy vegetables, nuts, fish and fruits can reduce the risk of inflammation.
- Benefit your musculoskeletal system, which receives most of the body’s vitamin D, protein, magnesium and calcium, all of which are essential for your bone and muscle health.
- Affect the nervous system — your brain and spine control many of your internal functions including the distribution of food to different parts of the body, which impacts your spinal health.