Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I've really been beating myself up this week. Paleo x 3 months, wt loss 14 #, now 123, and my back is "out"!. The question is, If I am on an "inflammatory diet" why am I so INFLAMMED???

When to the chiropractor 3 x this week and have had 2 massages without much relief, although at least I can stand up today. I am so sore.

Trying to stay away from Medical Doctor, but I have to go to work Monday and start lifting heavy things (suitcases)

Any other suggestions? and yes, I do ICE and Moist Heat at night. I also started taking Sublinqual Magnesium 2 x daily.

Thanks!

flag	asked Jan 5 2012 at 13:56 Becky 137●6

i havent had any anti-inflammatory effects from paleo either. my knees still swell like balloons and my back still goes out constantly. fwiw, i switched from animal fats to plant fats and it has ceased. so, i finally stopped reading into every bloggers sat fat love affair fantasies and started to listening to what works for MY body. maybe try avocaods and olive oil fwiw... – Mallory Jan 5 2012 at 15:26

luckybastard · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-05 16:27:47Z UTC

When I lost weight, one of the things that happened during the weight loss was that the more I lost, the more muscle imbalances and kinetic chain issues began to show up. This may not apply to you but for myself and others, I believe this happens because the body now has a fuller range of motion and muscles that haven't been activated or firing are now being called upon to do what they're supposed to do. Lower back issues seem to be the one that pops up first- it did for me. Strengthening my core through strength training with compound movements, yoga and foam-rolling have really worked great in relieving these issues. Good luck.

AndyM · Answer 2 · 2012-01-05 14:08:47Z UTC

My guess would be that it's because your job involves lifting heavy things? Inflammation is not evil, your body often does it for very good reasons. If you've damaged your back then your body is trying to protect it while suggesting to you that you might want to give it a rest. Your body doesn't understand the realities of modern working practise. This shouldn't be confused with chronic inflammation, which is the body's reaction to damaged everything due to the food you've eaten.

It may be there's some detail of the diet you could perfect, or something lacking which has left your back muscles understrength for the task at hand, but as far as a cure goes - rest.

Firestorm · Answer 3 · 2012-01-05 14:23:12Z UTC

Sounds to me like you strained your back. Anyone can do that! It's not caused by diet, or by weight -- it's caused by over-working the muscles in your back, or doing things like lifting too much weight, or lifting with improper form.

If you have a back injury, rest your back. Don't beat yourself up over it. Stuff happens, and sometimes, injuries happen as well. Try to think about what might have happened to cause the injury and try not to repeat it in the future -- but in the meantime, rest your back, and keep eating a nutritious diet so that your body can heal the damage as efficiently as possible.

Hope you feel better.

Dragonfly · Answer 4 · 2012-01-05 16:38:59Z UTC

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Vitamin D, Magnesium, Zinc and Omega 3s have really helped my muscle recovery. I'm almost never sore after a workout now and never have leg cramps, etc. I do free-style dance, so my range of motion is pretty big.

answered Jan 5 2012 at 16:38

Dragonfly
31.2k●1●8●41

Nance · Answer 5 · 2012-01-05 17:06:08Z UTC

Well, on this question my qualifications are impeccable. My back and I have had a "strained" relationship since my mid-20s.

I agree with Firestorm to a point. Between now and Monday, rest is helpful while you're doing the ice/heat thing. Move around a little but be very careful of your posture trying not to "bend, twist, flex or rotate" as my back specialist once said. Lie on your back with pillows under your lower legs or on your side with a pillow between your knees (I have to do that all the time.)

On Monday, if you go to work be absolutely certain to let your legs do the work--keep your back still. If you have to bend over to get the suitcases, stick your butt way out so your back remains straight. It feels weird but it will speed your healing.

Sooner or later, the acute injury will heal and I encourage you to do some back exercises and WALK. Overall, walking is the best natural exercise because it doesn't strain your back yet it will improve your muscle tone.

That's why I walk every other day.

Paleo, wt loss, now my back is “out”!

5 Answers