A Gluten-Free Diet Can Be A Solution to Back Pain

This post is from contributing writer, Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. he is the founder of Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab .

For various reasons, many take the bold choice to radically transition their diet. Some of those reasons include embarking upon a new weight loss journey, desiring to increase heart health, fighting against hereditary health issues, and in some instances, many simply choose to be plant-eaters because just the thought of eating an animal breaks their heart completely.  

A change of diet can indeed birth many great health benefits in the life of those willing to take the proper steps needed. 

What is a Gluten-Free Diet?

A Gluten-free diet is a diet that consists of avoiding gluten which is a certain protein that some are more sensitive to than others. Some have an intolerance all together, while others can tolerate it just fine. Wheat, rye, and barley are known to include gluten therefore a gluten-free diet generally requires for one to avoid most bread and baked goods. 

Gluten is a protein that also plays a role in processed foods. Processed foods aren’t always tolerated well by the human body, seeing that some of the chemicals and substances aren’t easily broken down. Medical News Today lets us know that when processed foods contain no refined ingredients and artificial substances is when it becomes harmful to the body.  

The substances and ingredients within lots of processed foods are known to cause unwanted inflammation within the body. High-fructose corn syrup for example, and refined carbohydrates. Inflammation leads to unwanted pain throughout the body that can’t always be diagnosed or avoided. 

It’s a gluten-free diet that many agree on attributing to better health, more energy and an overall lack of chronic pain. Improving digestive health along with better cholesterol levels are also said to be responses to this diet change. 

If you’re interested in beginning a lifestyle change and engaging in this diet or any other diet, it’s important to speak with your doctor and possibly a dietician. The reason being you’ll want to be sure you know what to do and keeping up the proper intake of all vitamins and minerals beneficial to the body is key.

That helps to ensure that no deficiencies occur. Whether it’s related to allergies, health, weight loss or some disease you’re battling, it’s never a bad idea to reconsider your diet. 

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is defined as a disease where a person’s immune system responds to a sensitivity to gluten. Diarrhea and bloat being two of the main symptoms, digestive related. There is no known cause as to how and why it develops, however, left untreated or misdiagnosed if diagnosed at all can cause further complications in one’s health. 

Low back pain can sometimes but not always lead to the diagnosis of celiac disease. Many who have been diagnosed were encouraged to maintain a gluten-free diet and saw results. It may not work for everyone, but it’s been proven to help one experience less back pain and other discomforts as well. 

A gluten-free diet helps to heal the inside of the small intestines which is where food is processed and broken down. Because the diet is helping with those symptoms then it’s likely going to have a positive effect on the rest of the body also.

Symptoms:

• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Gas
• Vomiting
• Infertility
• Fatigue
• Anemia
• Heartburn
• Osteoporosis
•  

To suffer from one or more of these symptoms doesn’t automatically diagnose you as suffering from celiac disease. However, it doesn’t hurt to visit your doctor and make sure your health is in the clear. 

How Can a Gluten-Free Diet Help with Inflammation?

Some forms of back pain specifically in terms of arthritis are caused by the root of inflammation. While certain foods are known to cause more inflammation within the body, other foods are known to do the opposite.

They do the opposite by helping to cut down the inflammation within and therefore benefitting the body more than harming it or weighing it down. 

If you’re living with back pain and intaking more gluten than you realize, you just might find relief in changing your diet and being more mindful of what you eat. 

Inflammation within the body can be bad but it’s also known to be a good thing when it’s remaining within its appropriate bounds. Inflammation gets out of hand when the body is continuing to produce the cells when there is no need. It’s important to know that the overproduction of those cells is known to cause other health risks (ex. Asthma, arthritis, cancer).

While all back pain isn’t associated with inflammation some forms of back pain are generally caused by spinal, joint or muscle issues. Whatever the cause, we at Better Health Chiropractic and Physical Rehab in Wasilla have worked with many patients, and your local chiropractor can help you too.

A gluten-free diet helps the body to rid itself of inflammation and therefore helps to cut down on inflammation caused pain and discomfort within the back. 

How Do I Know if I Have a Gluten Intolerance?

If you experience any of these symptoms in bulk, then it won’t hurt to talk with your doctor about possible diet changes. Seeing a local chiropractor helping to assist with the physical aspects of pain is something you may want to discuss with them also. 

Some signs that you may have a sensitivity to gluten are:

• Bloat
• Pain in the abdomen
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Skin issues
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain

Conclusion

A diet change can seem like a big step to take and for some, it may very well be, but if it means your health is made better then I’d say it’s worth it. Chiropractic care can assist you in your journey to a pain-free back also. 

What you eat is what your body is fueled by and the way the body responds on a daily is based on what you put in it and even what you don’t put in it. Take care of your body one diet change and one chiropractic visit at a time. You won’t be sorry.

Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. is the founder of Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. His practice offers Wasilla massage therapy, chiropractic care, physical rehab therapy,  and other various services designed to help give you long-lasting relief from different health problems.

Dr. Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr. Axe and Lifehack. He is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. And he continues his education to remain active and updated in all studies related to neurology, physical rehab, biomechanics, spine conditions, brain injury trauma, and more.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of only gluten-free recipes or its staff.

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