Did you know that your diet plays a crucial role in your back, neck and shoulder pain levels? According to iSpine Pain Physicians, it does. Many foods, namely fruits and vegetables reduce inflammation, a known cause of all three conditions. Thus, changing your diet can lead to chronic pain relief.

In honor of this year’s National Fruit & Vegetables Month, Twin Cities’ leading chronic pain management specialists are teaching their patients about anti-inflammatory foods that are not only delicious but also easy to grow at home. There are dozens to choose from, but each typically falls into one of three categories:

• Herbs & Spices: While walking through the aisles of your local pharmacy, you may have noticed supplement versions of the same herbs and spices in your kitchen cabinets. That’s because ingredients like cinnamon, turmeric and garlic are rich with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that reduce back and shoulder pain. If these benefits weren’t enough, you can also grow most herbs and spices right on your windowsill.
• Deeply Colored Fruits: Similarly, deeply colored fruits including cherries, berries, grapes, pomegranate and watermelon also play a role in chronic pain relief. However, you can’t grow them indoors like you can with herbs and spices. So before grabbing your gloves, make sure you have the right tools on hand and that you’re practicing good posture. Otherwise, you might cause your shoulder, neck or back pain to flare up.
• Cruciferous Vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables, meaning foods like broccoli, kale and cabbage, are all essential to an anti-inflammatory diet. Most grow best during the spring and fall because they are resilient to frost. As with deeply colored fruits, gardeners should practice caution when growing these plants. These chronic pain management specialists recommend taking frequent breaks to avoid over-exertion.

If you suffer from neck, chronic back or shoulder pain, healthy lifestyle choices are the first step towards lasting relief. For more anti-inflammatory foods as well as gardening tips, visit iSpine Pain Physicians online. To schedule an appointment with a board-certified chronic pain management specialist, call them at (763) 201-8191 today.