Nutrition care in pain rehabilitation-success and lessons from practice

Clinical data reveals that people living with chronic pain often report suboptimal nutrition and eating behaviors. Nutrition may significantly affect the occurrence, development, and prognosis of chronic pain. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) encourages clinicians to include nutrition care in pain management. A potential approach is to integrate nutrition care into interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation, alongside routine lifestyle interventions such as physical activity, sleep habits, and stress management. This discussion paper explores the practical implementation of nutrition care in tertiary pain rehabilitation settings, highlighting key adaptations, challenges, and successful strategies drawn from clinical experience. These reflections on adapting practical tips in day-to-day practice may help strengthen the integration of nutrition care in pain rehabilitation and inspire new investigations in this field.