Back pain hurts not only your body, but your wallet as well. In fact, reports show that people spent twice as much on back pain in 2007 as we did in 1997. That is why it is very important to find simple and cost-effective solutions to back pain. In general, your body has the ability to heal itself when given enough time to rest and recover. However, with the fast-paced lifestyles in modern society, people can hardly afford the luxury of rest. Fortunately, there are several ways of alleviating back pain and reducing the likelihood of recurrence. One of these ways may have something to do with the kinds of food you eat.

A great deal of evidence suggests that foods that contain high levels of calcium, Vitamin B12, and magnesium have properties that quash inflammation and naturally relieve back pain. In the same way, there are also some foods that can cause or aggravate back pain, and these are the ones you should avoid. To serve as your guide the next time you buy groceries, here are the different kinds of food you should eat to alleviate back pain:

• Eat more cherries because studies have shown that fresh tart cherries can effectively reduce muscle strain and pain. You may also choose to drink 12 ounces of cherry juice twice each day.

• Canned salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines packed in olive oil or water are also good choices for alleviating back pain, as they are all excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.

• Flaxseeds and nuts of any kind are recommended as well.

• Also listed among the foods that help your back are vegetables and fruits. You can eat them fresh, frozen, or canned, as long as they are not loaded with salt or packed in heavy syrup.

• Ginger is also considered as a healthy option for your back. You may want to try making ginger tea out of grated root and boiling water.

As for the kinds of food you need to avoid in order to alleviate back pain, they are the following:

• The following vegetable oils: corn, sunflower, cottonseed, safflower, and anything marked as "mixed" vegetable oil

• Processed foods

• Foods that are rich in tropical oils and saturated fats, including full-fat dairy products

• Margarine and vegetable shortening

• Foods that are made with trans fats

So, you see, your risk level for back pain can be greatly affected by making the right choices as you stroll down the grocery aisle. Of course, aside from the healthy foods recommended above, you also have to make sure that you drink plenty of water throughout the day. Keeping your body properly hydrated is also an excellent way of ensuring that you continue to live a life free from back pain.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 May 2011 01:45