Back pain is a common condition that usually improves by itself within a few weeks or months, according to the NHS.
It may be caused by sleeping in an awkward position, having poor posture, or even by a minor injury.
Back pain could be made worse by eating certain foods, it’s been claimed.
Certain cooking oils could be adding to lower back pain, warned chiropractic clinic, Oklahoma Pain Management.
Some vegetable oils may be making back pain worse as they’re rich in omega-6 fatty acids, it said.
Despite being praised as a ‘healthy’ choice, they have a higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, which causes inflammation.
Inflammation is one of the contributing factors to lower back pain, it’s been claimed.
Canola, corn and safflower oil could all be adding to your back pain, said the chiropractic clinic.
Instead, try swapping them for coconut, avocado or sesame oil, it added.
“If you’ve been dealing with chronic back pain for a while, then you know that inflammation only worsens – or even causes – the pain,” it said.
“Vegetable oils have been lauded as health foods for a few decades now, but it turns out that these highly processed seed and vegetable oils are not doing our bodies any favours.
“Canola, corn, soybean, and safflower oil – just to name a few – contain a very high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats, which is the opposite of what our bodies are adapted for.
“And these oils are highly refined, which automatically takes them out of the realm of health food.
“Choose unrefined, cold-pressed fats instead – like olive, coconut, avocado, walnut, and sesame oil.”
You could also relieve signs of back pain by avoiding sugary foods, it said. Getting rid of pastries, fizzy drinks and other sweet treats from your diet would do your aches and pains a world of good, it claimed.
Lower back pain is the most common type of back pain in the UK, said the NHS.
The condition should usually get better by itself within a few weeks or months.
For short-term relief from backache, patients could try using painkillers, it said.
Speak to a GP if you have back pain and a numbness around the genitals.
A swelling in the back, difficulty passing urine, or chest pain should also be seen by a doctor if it’s accompanied by back pain.