Alexandra Dobbs DipNT mNTOI

Is There Possibly A Link Between Lower Back Pain And Nutrition?

Most of us suffer from lower back pain at some stage in our lives, in fact it is the most debilitating condition office works face today and a main reason for days taken off work. As an article in today’s Irish Times points out, research points towards anti-inflammatory pain killers not being the answer to back pain. They do give short-term relief from the pain, but they do not work long-term.

In fact, anti-inflammatories are riddled with dangerous side effects such as stomach ulcers and bleeding, so researchers recommend against using them too frequently. You can read the article here: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/ibuprofen-not-the-answer-for-back-pain-study-finds-1.2962189

 

Nutrition can, in some cases, help alleviate lower back pain by reducing incidence of constipation. Constipation is actually quite common in today’s world of little or no movement, exercise or fibre in the diet. Many people may not even realize that their pain originates in bowel problems rather than muscle or joint problems. When I have to alleviate constipation in a client I recommend the following:

• Drink at least 2l water or herbal teas daily (dandelion and nettle are useful)

• Increase fibre intake, ideally by adding more vegetables to your diet (7 portions a day are highly recommended), or by adding 12 tsp of psyllium husks to a glass of water before breakfast

• Get moving. You cannot ask your gut to move if you are not moving! Open this link http://theheartysoul.com/stretchesback-pain-relief/?t=FM for some excellent stretches to help. Jill at Myoreflex here in Greystones especially recommends stretches 4, 5, 7 and 8 as highly useful.

The body is an intricate web of different systems working together – in the case of lower back pain, a poorly functioning digestive tract may contribute to back pain. And strained muscles from staying a sitting position for long periods may put pressure on the colon and cease it to work as efficiently as it should, causing constipation.