Chronic pain affects us all at one point or another.  Whether you're dealing with heel pain from plantar fasciitis or you're lower back is always hurting, if you're hurting you want a way to stop the pain.  In most case, our first instinct is to run to the doctor and get a prescription for a pain pill, but did you know that there are foods that fight pain that could aid in your recovery?

Foods That Fight Pain

According to Institute of Medicine of The National Academies more than 100 million Americans are affected by chronic pain, all of whom are looking for ways of relieving pain, and some are looking for alternatives to prescription drugs and narcotics.  Fortunately, nature has provided us with a bountiful harvest of different foods that fight pain naturally, helping us relieve our aches and pains without medication and potentially harmful side effects.

Ginger

You've more than likely used ginger at some point, possibly adding it to soy sauce with sushi, but did you know it has health benefits?  Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body naturally and is even recommended to help reduce nausea.

Coffee

For most of us, it's an essential part of our mornings, but did you know it does more than help wake you up with a dose of caffeine?  Coffee has been shown to reduce the perception of pain and also to help in muscle recovery. Take caution though, as coffee does contain caffeine which needs to be taken in moderation.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is known to be a healthy cooking alternative to vegetable oil, but it also has anti-inflammatory benefits.  According to Everyday Health, it may contain compounds similar to ibuprofen which is a known pain manager and helps to reduce inflammation.

Salmon

Salmon by itself is an excellent source of protein and antioxidants, and frankly just tastes great!  It's also a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids which can help reduce inflammation and to lubricate your joints.

Turmeric

Turmeric, a spice used in dishes like curry, has been shown to reduce inflammation for many conditions including arthritis.  The main ingredient in Turmeric, curcumin, is considered to be one of the top anti-cancer properties, helping to reduce tumor growth.

Thyme

Thyme is a very fragrant herb that is often found in home gardens as it's commonly used in cooking.  As with caffeine, it has been shown to reduce the perception of pain and may contain anti-inflammatory properties.

Cherries

Just about every has had a cherry at one point, they taste fantastic!  They also help to reduce inflammation and help to neutralize free radicals in your body.  Cherries are known to have anti-inflammatory properties similar to taking an aspirin as a result of anthocyanins, which give them their red coloring.

Cayenne

If you like spicy foods, you've more than likely heard of cayenne before.  This spicy little pepper adds a great flavor to just about any dish, but is also known to act as both an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant.  In fact, its active ingredient capsaicin is found in a lot of prescription and over the counter products for this very reason. As with all pain fighters, it's important to contact your doctor before taking any supplements or food containing these ingredients to make sure it won't cause any complications or interactions with any medications you're taking.

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