When considering your options for managing chronic pain, do you ever think about your diet? Many people dismiss the importance of getting the essential nutrients and vitamins the body needs to stay healthy. As a result of poor nutrition, the pain you already have can become even more severe.
At New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine, pain medicine physician Jose De La Torre, MD, offers a wide range of minimally invasive treatments to address chronic pain conditions like migraines and herniated discs.
Our wellness clinic also provides services like vitamin intravenous (IV) therapy that support your long-term health and well-being.
The foods you eat can affect many areas of your health and the function of your body. Certain foods, especially those that are high in fat and sugar, are known to increase inflammation throughout the body. Persistent inflammation can increase the pain you already experience.
Eating too many unhealthy foods can also cause weight gain. Excess weight puts pressure on your joints and increases your risk for chronic pain, joint stiffness, and other symptoms that affect your mobility.
It’s also important to realize that what you don’t eat is having just as much of an effect on your body. For instance, if you aren’t eating a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, your body may be lacking essential nutrients it needs to function at optimal levels.
Many foods contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients that fight inflammation and can make pain more manageable. If you aren’t sure how to start making diet changes, we can help you create the right meal plan.
Your meal plan should incorporate more inflammation-fighting foods like:
A small amount of dark chocolate can also satisfy your sweet tooth while addressing inflammation in your body.
If you still aren’t getting enough vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from your diet, Dr. De La Torre may recommend vitamin IV therapy as part of your chronic pain treatment plan.
There are plenty of supplemental nutrients available to support a healthy diet. When you take vitamins and other supplements orally, they must first pass through your digestive system before your body absorbs them. The digestive process can limit how much of the nutrients your body can actually use.
IV therapy involves infusions of critical nutrients directly into your blood. This delivery method makes the nutrients immediately accessible to your cells. Many people experience a boost in their energy levels and mental clarity during their infusion appointment.
The effects of vitamin IV therapy can last for several days. You may also benefit from several IV sessions to keep you feeling your best, so your pain is more manageable. Our wellness center also offers intramuscular injections of vitamin B12, glutathione, and other essential nutrients.
To learn more about how your diet choices may be contributing to your chronic pain, call New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine, or book an appointment online today.
