Great Addition to Yoga Exercises for Neck pain

Struggling with neck pain can have seriously painful effects on one’s day-to-day life. For some, even a regular routine of yoga exercises for neck pain still isn’t doing the trick. This is where diet plays a huge role. Almost all pains of the body are preventable with proper exercise and nutrition. Since the neck is an interconnected system of closely placed tendons, joints, vertebrae, and discs, it is important to focus on foods and nutrients that will reduce inflammation, promote healthy circulation, and support bone health.

Inflammation

Foods that cause inflammation (meat, cheese, alcohol, nicotine) enter the body and cause it to go into overdrive, protecting the vascular system by causing additional fluids to run throughout the body. This causes swelling, and in the tightly knit quarters of the neck, result in pain.

There are foods that contain anti-inflammatory properties, working with the body to reduce and stabilize proper fluid levels in the body; think fish, nuts, and beans as protein sources as opposed to heavy meats and cheeses.

Foods that contain natural antioxidants also work to fend off the harmful stimuli and free radicals that cause inflammation. For this, fruits and vegetables do their best work. Highest antioxidant levels can be found in berries, tomatoes, garlic, broccoli, red grapes, and yes, even red wine.

Circulation

When you do yoga exercises for neck pain and body gets better circulation, it means that healthy oxygen-rich blood is being carried throughout the body’s organs and tissues at a proper rate. At the same time, it also carries out carbon dioxide and eliminates it as waste. Neck pain can be a build up of this waste material in your tissue. So, focus on including foods that have high levels of quercetin, a bioflavonoid that improves the strength of blood vessels and capillaries. Foods with quercetin include red and yellow onions, zucchini, and grapes.

Cayenne pepper and ginger also do an excellent job at inhibiting blood clots and promoting circulation throughout the body.

Bone Health

Having weak vertebrae, the small bones that make up the spine and neck, makes the muscles of this area overcompensate to support the head and neck. This results in increased tension and pain. To improve overall bone health, be certain that your diet contains appropriate levels of calcium. Low-fat dairy products like milk, yogurt, and hard cheeses are excellent sources of calcium. However, many follow dairy-free diets because of it can cause some inflammation. Calcium-filled foods that are also dairy free include collard greens, bok choy, kale, soy beans, white beans, and almonds.

Along with eating these foods regularly, incorporating yoga exercises for neck pain may greatly reduce pain and tension.