News

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that pain is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care. All over the world, people are suffering from acute pain from injuries and accidents and chronic lifelong pain from illnesses like fibromyalgia. The problem is big, it’s widespread, and it’s not easy to solve. And considering our current opioid epidemic—which kills more than 115 people every single day—we’re not doing a great job treating pain in a way that is safe and effective.

That’s why, despite it being small, a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama that evaluated the effects of caffeine intake on pain tolerance is so incredibly relevant. Published in Psychopharmacology, the researchers asked 62 men and women to record their daily caffeine intake—including coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and anything caffeine-containing. After one week, they conducted pain tolerance tests on the participants (using a device that gradually increased heat or pressure).

Interestingly, the results showed that the more caffeine a participant had consumed, the more tolerant they were to pain. The participants’ average caffeine intake equated to about two cups of coffee.

At mindbodygreen, we’ve been talking about the connection between diet and pain—including coping with chronic pain—for years. Wouldn’t it be amazing if this simple lifestyle change could bring people some relief? We still don’t know enough to sub Bulletproof Pumpkin Spiced Lattes for pain relievers, but it’s an exciting area of study that we’ll be keeping an eye on.

By Gretchen Lidicher

Pacific Rehabilitation Centers logo

If you are having a Medical Health emergency, please call 9-1-1.
If you are having a Mental Health emergency, please call 9-8-8.

Everett

9617 7th Avenue SE
Everett, WA 98208

(425) 513-8509 Phone
(425) 290-9774 Fax
info@pacificrehabilitation.com

M-F: 8am – 5pm

Puyallup

1416 East Main, STE F
Puyallup, WA 98372

(253) 445-8663 Phone
(253) 445-8342 Fax
info@pacificrehabilitation.com

M-F: 8am – 5pm

Moses Lake

821 East  Broadway Ave. STE 10
Moses Lake, WA 98837

(509) 350-2298 Phone
(425) 290-9774 Fax
info@pacificrehabilitation.com