Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Most people assume that new or chronic back symptoms are tied to a physical injury, like a muscle strain or disc herniation as a result of acute overstress from activity. However, spinal symptoms aren’t always the result of an action like a fall or lifting too heavy of a box. Sometimes it’s the less obvious causes that are triggering our spinal symptoms, like a poor diet. But how exactly can your diet impact your spine health, and what can you do to fix the issue? Below, we explain why your diet is causing your back pain and three fixes you can make to your regular eating habits.

How Diet and Back Pain Are Connected

Here are three ways that your diet can contribute to new or persistent back pain, and some recommendations for fixing these diet deficiencies.

1. Poor Diet Leading To Weight Gain– More than 100 million American adults are classified as overweight or obese, and that usually boils down to an imbalance in two factors, their diet and their activity levels. Sometimes it can feel difficult to remain active, especially if you work 40 or more hours a week at a desk job, but you can almost always control the foods you put in your system. Reach for more nutrient dense foods like vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts and fatty fish. Seek out micronutrients like calcium and omega-3s so that your body has the tools to create healthy bone cells, to keep tissues strong and to limit the onset of inflammation. Eating right helps you get the nutrients you need, and pairing it with improvements in your exercise levels can help you shed weight and take stress off your spine, which can play a key role in limiting pain and related symptoms caused by overstress.
2. Failing To Hydrate– You’re not going to have a perfectly healthy back simply by keeping your Stanley mug close by all day, but drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated can help ward off many minor types of back pain. A dehydrated spine is more likely to develop muscle cramps, muscle fatigue and have worse circulation due to narrowed blood vessels. Be sure to stay hydrated drinking water. It’s fine to sprinkle in the occasional coffee or soda, but make sure that most of your liquid intake each day is from water. Sugary or caffeinated drinks can lead to spinal inflammation onset and make your back discomfort worse.
3. Not Supplementing– We get it, getting all of your daily nutrients from your diet alone can feel next to impossible, but that doesn’t mean you need to remain nutrient deficient. There are plenty of daily vitamins and supplement options to help you get a dose of specific nutrients, and you can typically find these at your local grocery store or pharmacy. You can talk to your doctor about finding the right supplement for your specific needs, or you can choose a pretty basic multivitamin and see if it seems to help. Don’t take a supplement as a way to avoid getting your nutrients from food sources, as studies have found that your body oftentimes has an easier time absorbing nutrients from food sources compared to a supplement, but they can be a wonderful option for those who struggle to get specific nutrients on a regular basis.

Don’t overlook the role that your diet is playing in regards to your back health, and feel free to reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and his team if you want answers to specific dietary questions. For more information, or to set up an appointment with Dr. Sinicropi, give the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute a call today at (651) 430-3800.

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