Many people see a chiropractor to alleviate pain and improve their daily lives. While this is a core aspect of care, the treatment doesn't stop with a spinal adjustment. Instead, your diet impacts your overall health and influences the effectiveness of chiropractic care. Below is more information about how what you eat affects the skeletal system and how to make positive changes.

How Does Nutrition Affect Musculoskeletal Health?

Chiropractors practice a holistic form of medicine. This means that they opt for natural remedies and focus on the core issue, rather than treating a single symptom. This requires them to take the entire muscoskeletal structure into consideration, including your muscles, bones, and nervous system.

A change in diet can impact the chiropractor's treatments. For example, if you are recovering from a spinal injury, you are likely less mobile. Without an adjustment to your calorie intake to compensate for the reduced physical activity, you could gain weight, straining the spine and potentially hindering your recovery. Conversely, a healthy diet can improve your musculoskeletal system. If you have a muscle strain, tear, or separation, eating more protein allows the muscles to repair themselves, preventing further damage. If a weakness in your bones is causing an alignment problem, calcium can strengthen them.

What Nutrition Recommendations Can a Chiropractor Make?

A chiropractor will work with you to develop the best diet and nutrition plan for your chiropractic needs. For autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, scoliosis, allergies, and hypothyroidism, they might recommend foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. For example, salmon contains a high amount of this nutrient, which helps reduce inflammation and heal your immune system. They might also recommend avoiding refined carbohydrates that are common in candy, bread, and pasta, as they increase inflammation.

A chiropractor can also suggest ways to improve your musculoskeletal health by taking vitamins, as deficiencies can result in skeletal misalignments and discomfort. For example, if you experience lower back pain, they may recommend increasing your vitamin D intake by eating leafy green vegetables. This nutrient strengthens your cartilage and joints, preventing chronic pain.

If you need a chiropractor who takes a full-body approach to treatment, contact Alpha And Omega Chiropractor in Ruidoso, NM. Since 2006, they have been helping people throughout Lincoln County find relief from neck and back pain. They can help treat everything from spinal stenosis to herniated discs and sciatica. Call (575) 258-5999 to schedule an appointment, and visit them online for more information about their services.