Pinched Nerve? Foods that Will Help

If you have ever experienced a "pinched nerve", you understand the odd, uncomfortable sensation that results. When in your neck, it can make it difficult for you to raise your arm. When in your lower back, it can make something as simple as walking a chore. It can also be uncomfortable to sit or stand for more than a few minutes at a time.

Dangers of Ibuprofen

Many doctors will prescribe ibuprofen therapy as the first remedy for this ailment. Ibuprofen is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. However, many people do not know that overuse of ibuprofen can lead to a raging cancer in the kidneys that can kill within weeks. Pharmaceutical companies downplay this deadly potential side effect of ibuprofen. You may not realize it, but the reason doctors tell you not to give ibuprofen to an infant under 6 months of age is that it is difficult on their tiny kidneys.

What Causes a Pinched Nerve

To understand why ibuprofen is effective for treating pinched nerves, you need to know a little bit about your anatomy. Your nerves branch out from your spinal cord, which is encapsulated within your spinal bones. The vertebrae have small holes in them, called lamina, that allow the nerve branches to extend from the spinal cord. These exit holes can become restricted over time because of bony build up called plaque. Plaque build up is a natural result of aging, but it can worsen due to injury.

When the lamina become restricted, there is less room for your nerve to pass through. If you over exert yourself, the nerve can become irritated and inflamed, causing it to rub against the restricted space in the lamina. This often results in discomfort, pain or tingling sensations in the extremities. Because your nerves also deliver vital nutrients to muscles, it is especially important to keep the pathways unrestricted.

Ibuprofen is generally a safe medication when taken intermittently, but taken as a therapy, it can be dangerous. This is why you should know about natural ways to lessen inflammation and relieve the discomfort because of your pinched nerves.

Natural Foods that Fight Inflammation

The best natural treatment for inflammation is to increase your intake of Omega 3 fatty acids. While supplements can be helpful, they are much less effective that eating foods containing Omega 3. You can find the highest concentrations of this healthy nutrient in salmon, walnuts and flax seed.

Antioxidants are also effective at reducing inflammation. The best foods to eat are onions, blueberries, garlic, spinach and ginger. By adding these foods to your diet, you will be taking in a wide range of helpful antioxidants that fight free radical damage and reduce swelling.

You can get more of these healthy inflammation fighters by cooking with onions, garlic and ginger. Spinach is easily added to a salad. Blueberries are excellent on your morning cereal or with yogurt.

Adding these foods will not only fight inflammation, they will also lessen your risk of a wide range of diseases that result from free radical damage. They will also fight the signs of aging and help you to feel more youthful and energetic. The benefits of these foods go way beyond just fighting that uncomfortable inflammation in your nerves.