Now that the busy holiday season has ended, it’s a great time to practice some healthy resolutions. If you’re living with chronic pain, the changes you decide to make have the power to help you get lasting relief.
Pain management physicians Kevin Elaahi, MD, and Benjamin Kim, MD at Interventional Pain Consultants in Parsippany, Montclair, and Landing, New Jersey, provide an array of non-surgical treatments to diminish your pain.
In this month’s blog, we explore three helpful ways to get ahead of chronic pain in 2026.
If you’re suffering from pain in your back, neck, joints, knees, or other area, our team offers a range of tailored treatment solutions. Dr. Elaahi and Dr. Kim also recommend the following three lifestyle changes to put you on a healthier, more pain-free path.
Since the sensation of pain begins when your body signals your brain, it makes sense that managing stress helps ease both physical and emotional pain.
Minor changes often bring major results when it comes to pain management. Try lowering your stress in one or more of the following ways:
Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun stimulates the release of feel-good hormones called beta-endorphins. Just 10 minutes of exposure during the summer, and an hour or so in the winter, can increase your vitamin D levels, too.
Low levels of vitamin D undermines your bone density and increases your risk of fractures. We also suggest taking vitamin D3 supplements, especially during the winter.
Although it may sound counterintuitive, movement actually helps relieve pain. Aerobic activities, such as moderate walking or swimming, trigger endorphins, which causes your brain to release dopamine. This improves your state of mind and lessens pain.
Laughter and music also stimulate endorphins, along with mood-boosting serotonin and dopamine. Maintaining a healthy weight helps, too: Several studies pinpoint a direct link between obesity and ongoing chronic pain.
This saying holds a lot of truth, even when it comes to pain management. Make sure your diet includes plenty of healthy, immune-enhancing ingredients.
Foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, flaxseed oil, walnuts, and olive oil. Our team may also recommend fish oil supplements. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) notes that people who take 3000 milligrams (mg) of omega-3s each day, over a three-month period, reduced their pain from arthritis and other issues.
Many people find pain relief from additional magnesium, which suppresses muscle spasms and neuropathic pain. You can also incorporate more vitamins B12 and D to improve neurological issues related to pain. Foods such as fish, eggs, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products contain these nutrients and more.
Boost dopamine levels naturally by eating foods containing the amino acid tyrosine, such as:
Lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes by eliminating sugary drinks and other high-sodium, ultra-processed foods. These increase inflammation and oxidation, which aggravates chronic pain conditions.
Dr. Elaahi and Dr. Kim also recommend drinking plenty of water. Dehydration raises pain sensitivity, while water improves nutrient circulation and waste elimination to help your body heal and recover.
Some of the best resolutions involve following through on your health goals. Start small and work on one issue at a time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way.
Our team is here to encourage your success. We employ a variety of non-invasive procedures, as appropriate, to improve your condition, from regenerative medicine, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cells therapies, to trigger point injections for muscle pain.
Ready to reduce your pain? Schedule an appointment at your nearest Interventional Pain Consultants office in Parsippany, Montclair, or Landing, New Jersey, today.
