Everyone experiences a little pain in life, but some people suffer from long-lasting aches and stiffness that seems to never go away. One of the main causes of long-lasting pain like this is inflammation.

Inflammation is your body’s way of responding to a perceived threat, such as an injury or a chronic illness. However, inflammation can develop for the wrong reasons, leading to a painful irritation and stiffness in your muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. 

One way to help reduce inflammation is to make some simple changes to your diet. Take a look below for five foods you need to introduce to your diet to help with inflammation. 

Five foods that fight inflammation

1. Unsaturated fats — A lot of people think they need to stay away from fat, but there is a healthy type of fat, known as unsaturated fat, that your body craves. Unsaturated fats are found in food like fish, avocados and olive oil. It contains properties that help fight inflammation in your body and fuels other important bodily functions.
2. Whole grains — Processed grains, like white bread, white rice and pasta, are known to encourage the development of inflammation. Switch these processed grains for whole grains that don’t cause inflammation and are more nutritious and rich in flavor.
3. Turmeric — Turmeric roots are often ground into a fine powder that is frequently used in Indian curries and Middle Eastern cuisine. Turmeric contains a nutrient called curcumin, which is known to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Berries — Berries, such as blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, are delicious and also contain antioxidants that help fight inflammation in your body.
5. Dark chocolate — You probably don’t think of chocolate as a healthy food, but when it’s done right, it certainly is! Milk chocolate is loaded with sugar and other ingredients that aren’t good for you, but dark chocolate contains antioxidants that help fight inflammation and provide other benefits. Just make sure the chocoolate you eat is at least 70% dark to know you’re getting something good for you.

Visit Rehab Access for help fighting inflammation and pain

Improving your diet is a great start to fighting inflammation and pain, but some people need more. If your pain persists despite your best efforts to prevent it, you may need the help of a physical therapist.

Our team at Rehab Access can examine your condition and develop a personalized treatment routine to help you reach your recovery goals. Contact our team today for more information about treating chronic pain or to schedule an initial appointment.