Can Diet Help Manage Chronic Pain? Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Try

When you think of managing chronic pain, medications, physical therapy, and interventional treatments may come to mind first. But one often-overlooked tool in your pain management toolbox is your diet. At Garden State Pain and Orthopedics, we take a comprehensive approach to care—including exploring how lifestyle changes like nutrition can support pain relief.

While food isn't a cure-all, research shows that certain anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce the severity and frequency of pain, especially for conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and back pain. Here's what you need to know about the link between diet and chronic pain—and the foods that may help you feel better naturally.

Understanding the Link Between Inflammation and Pain

Chronic pain is often driven by ongoing inflammation in the body. Inflammation is your immune system’s natural response to injury or illness, but when it becomes persistent, it can damage tissues and lead to long-term pain.

Certain foods can either increase or decrease this inflammation. Diets high in processed foods, sugar, refined carbs, and trans fats can worsen inflammation, while nutrient-dense, plant-based foods tend to calm it down.

By making better food choices, many patients experience less joint stiffness, improved mobility, and even reduced reliance on pain medications.

Top Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Try

Here are some science-backed foods that can support your pain management efforts: