Neck and Back Pain

by Dr. Brian Bartholomew Ithaca Family Chiropractic 2415 N. Triphammer Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-9355
How common is back and neck pain?

ithaca NY Dr. Mike Massari chiropractorOver 80% of people experience neck or back pain at some point in their life. The most common form of treatment for this pain is aspirin, celebrex, tylenol or ibuprofen. These drugs may temporarily mask the symptoms of pain but they do little to help the body truly heal. Often NSAIDs and other pain medications cause significant long term health problems in the body including ulcers, kidney damage, addiction, liver failure and internal bleeding.

To heal from pain you must first find the cause then support body in healing and regeneration.

There are many causes of pain including: traumas, falls, poor posture, work ergonomics, driving posture, inactivity, obesity, tight muscles in your legs (hamstrings), pregnancy, constipation, worn out/non-supportive mattress, wearing poor shoes and a variety of other causes.  Regardless of the cause, research is demonstrating that chiropractic adjustments are the best way to help us heal from the damaged tissues that caused our body to cry out in pain. Chiropractic adjustments have been proven to be a very safe and super effectiveway to help the body eliminating neck pain & low back pain in people of all ages.

The reason chiropractic care is so helpful is that it works naturally with the body to improve the function of the spine & nervous system while enhancing lifestyle. Since the brain runs and heals the body through the nervous system, a fully functioning nerve supply is essential for the healing of any part of the body. Chiropractors specifically locate and remove vertebral subluxations in the spine. Subluxations left uncorrected over time can cause pain, muscle damage, organ damage and loss of function and quality of life.

Get Healthy Naturally: Inside and Out

Spinal adjustments, corrective exercises, nutritional support and proper supplementation help the body heal naturally as rapidly as possible. This combination has been used by chiropractors for over 100 years to help millions of people regain their health and vitality.

Top Foods to Reduce Pain

Start eating these food daily to reduce swelling, pain and inflammation. In your body the more inflammation you have the more likely you are to experience pain and other health conditions.

Water – Drink 1/2 of your Lbs. body weight in ounces daily because dehydration increases back pain. If you weight 100 Lbs. you must drink at least 50oz of pure water daily. Soda, beer, etc do not count!

Potassium & Magnesium rich foods – Potassium & Magnesium rich foods reduce swelling and assist in strong, supportive muscles. These foods include green leafy vegetables, avocados, bananas, coconut water and cultured dairy.

Omega-3 fats – Wild-caught fish, chia seeds and flaxseed are high in omega-3s that reduce inflammation, promote healing at the cellular level and reduce pain.

Clean lean protein – Choose venison, free range chicken & turkey, grass fed beef, pastured eggs, beans and vegetable proteins to maintain muscle tone and bone health.

High fiber foods – Constipation can make back pain worse, so eat plenty of fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber. Need a boost, add chia seeds to your water, juice or smoothie. Loaded with both fiber and omega 3’s chia seeds are a staple in a healthy diet. 

Foods that Cause Pain: Avoid At All Cost!

Sugar – Sugar depletes you immune system increased inflammatory and increases pain.

Alcohol – Not only impairs your judgement it impairs your body’s ability to detoxify and negatively stresses your system often causing pain and headaches.

Caffeine – Caffeine is dehydrating and may increase inflammation. Limit yourself to no more than one cup of coffee daily or cut back completely if you can.

Trans fats – These fats increase inflammation and pain.

Excess calories – Being overweight exacerbates back pain structurally and also increases insulin and other hormones that are associated with the pain pathway.

Top 5 Natural Remedies For Back Pain Relief

#1 Fish Oil (2,000mg daily)

People with back pain need higher doses of omega-3 fats to help reduce inflammation. Supplementation is often required since most of our diets do not include the necessary dosage. For wellness I take 2 capsules of fish oil per day. For acute pain take 2 capsules per meal so 4-6 per day.

#2 Turmeric (1,000mg daily)

This may also be called curcumin, which is the active ingredient in this spice. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and reduces pain. Try our Tumeric Tea.

#3 Proteolytic Enzymes/Bromelain and Papain (500 mg 3x daily)

Found in pineapple, this is a natural anti-inflammatory which also helps reduce swelling and speed healing.

#4 MSM (2,000-8,000 mg daily)

MSM is an anti-inflammatory supplement that is high in sulfur to help rebuild cartilage. It can help alleviate muscle spasms and has been shown to enhance the detoxification ability of the body.

#5 Magnesium (400-500 mg daily)

This mineral is sometimes called the “relaxation mineral” because it helps relax muscles and reduce stress. Decrease the dosage of magnesium if it causes diarrhea.

Essential Oils For Back Pain

Peppermint is an effective analgesic that cools inflamed joints and reduces back pain. You can mix peppermint oil with coconut oil and rub on your joints or make a homemade muscle rub.Frankincense and cypress oil reduce inflammation and improve circulation as well to helps with pain.

If you are looking for an amazing chiropractic office in Ithaca, NY please give us a call (607) 257-9355. We love helping people get healthy and experience all the joy life had to offer when you fully well. Take charge of your health with Ithaca Family Chiropractic.