Inflammation is our body’s protective immune response to infection or tissue damage, raising a “red flag” to alert the body to initiate repair. Inflammation typically presents as heat, swelling, pain, and irritation in an affected area, but unfortunately, many factors can keep that response from shutting off, resulting in chronic inflammation. The Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology at Sapienza University in Rome has indicated this condition as the “common soil” of many diseases, including rheumatic disorders, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, obesity and cancer, and which can result a cycle of long term pain that can delay or prevent healing and reduce function. How can you treat inflammation naturally to improve health and reduce chronic pain?
Clean house
- Cleaning up your diet is essential for treating chronic inflammation. According to Dr. Welches, a pain management specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, nutritional and dietary support will go a long way in helping your body fight chronic inflammation and will create an internal environment that supports healing. “Research shows that diet should be an integral part of a pain management program, especially as patients age,” she states. Adopting an eating style closer to vegan or Mediterranean, and reducing consumption of processed sugars, meats and full fat dairy can control insulin and cholesterol levels and treat inflammation.
- Consider cleaning house, literally. Even low level reactions to environmental allergens like dust and mold can keep your immune system in a constant “on” state, contributing to chronic inflammation system-wide.
De-stress
- It’s long been believed that psychology impacts biology, and recent research supports the connection between stress and a compromised immune system. Researchers found that exposure to chronic stress changes the activity of immune cells at a genetic level before they even enter the bloodstream, so they are primed to fight, even when no infection or trauma are present. This increased inflammation is directly due to the impact of stress on the sympathetic nervous system. Practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help you treat inflammation
- Get Some Zzz’s! Research published by the Department of Neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School shows that disrupted sleep for even a single night can increase the amount of inflammatory markers in circulation. They state that while the increases represent small changes, it’s these “sub-clinical shifts that are known to be associated with the future development of metabolic syndrome disease” in otherwise healthy people. Eating a lighter dinner, shutting down electronics an hour before bed, and developing a calming evening ritual can help you get more shut-eye and reduce chronic pain and inflammation.
Fix what needs fixing
- While you may be tempted to “wait it out,” or to try medications to reduce chronic pain marginally, seeking treatment to effectively heal an injury at the source will treat the inflammation that is perpetuating the pain cycle. Getting an accurate assessment and diagnosis for your injury and establishing care with reputable medical professionals could be the difference between finally healing the injury and the development of a long-term, chronic pain disorder.
- With more than 2 out of 3 adults in the US considered to be overweight or obese, addressing the “fat” elephant in the room is an important step to treating chronic inflammation. Excess body fat will not only strain inflamed joints, the University of Michigan School of Public Health reports that fat cells “are considered a highly metabolic endocrine organ” that can actually create and release hormones, including those called adipocytokines that trigger inflammation.
Tired of fanning the flames?
The chiropractic physicians, physical therapists and other health care professionals at Advanced Wellness & Rehab diagnose and treat a broad range of chronic pain conditions and illnesses. We want to understand your symptoms and develop a successful pain relief treatment plan. Contact us today to get out of pain and back to living!
