Chronic inflammation is being discussed more and more these days, and for good reason.
Chronic inflammation can lead to some of the most dreaded health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
It's also more common than most people realize.
Inflammation occurs naturally in the body, but we are trained to treat inflammation in ways that only mask the symptoms without addressing the causes.
It's crucial to treat inflammation at the root cause, and not just mask the symptoms.
Your local chiropractor can go a long way in helping you do that.
In the article below, we will talk more about inflammation and find out what your chiropractor can do to help.
Table Of Contents
- What Is Inflammation?
- What Causes Inflammation?
- Signs and Symptoms
- Treatment
- Chiropractic Adjustments
- Lifestyle Changes
- Talk To Your Chiropractor
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is a natural process in the body that occurs when harmful pathogens like bacteria and viruses need to be removed.
It's your immune systems way of fighting off foreign invaders. Without inflammation, these pathogens could enter our bodies and have the potential to kill us.
We've all seen inflammation in action - it's what happens after you get bit by a mosquito and swell up. You have a bug bite, but it eventually goes away.
Chronic inflammation is long-term and can be created for several reasons, such as an imbalance in your immune system, or like with arthritis, the inflammatory response is triggered without reason.
When inflammation occurs, your immune system releases white blood cells to fight any unwanted, foreign substance.
The problem begins when regular inflammation turns to chronic inflammation, revealing an imbalance in the immune system.
For other frequently asked questions about chiropractic care, check out our recent blog post here.
What Causes Inflammation?
Chronic inflammation is caused by an imbalance in the immune system.
Your acquired immune system develops over time via exposure to the environment around you, and the more exposure it has, the stronger it becomes.
That's why it's important for kids to play in the dirt and for adults to avoid taking unnecessary antibiotics.
Learning to fight bugs and allergens makes our acquired immune systems stronger.
Certain foods and lifestyle factors can also increase your risk of chronic inflammation.
Not sleeping enough, dealing with a lot of stress, and a high carb diet are all an excellent way to increase your risk of chronic inflammation.
Chronic inflammation can also be the result of the body's inability to eliminate the cause of acute inflammation.
Or, it could be an autoimmune response where the immune system mistakes healthy tissue for unhealthy pathogens.
Signs and Symptoms
Most people don't realize they have chronic inflammation until they're diagnosed with a disease that's associated with it.
However, you don't have to wait until you've been diagnosed with a life changing disease to treat chronic inflammation.
You should keep an eye out for these symptoms, which are often indicators of chronic inflammation:
- Skin problems
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Pain in the joints
- Shortness of breath
- Allergies and asthma
- High blood pressure
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Stiffness
- Weight gain
- Congestion
- Frequent infections
- Indigestion
Treatment
Most people turn to anti-inflammatory drugs to treat inflammation and pain.
This is unfortunate because while they provide short term relief from acute pain, they can cause serious long-term health problems if abused or used too frequently.
Instead of taking anti-inflammatory drugs, you should use natural alternatives like eating a diet high in Omega 3 fatty acids and turmeric.
Both serve as an anti-inflammatory and potent antioxidant.
Chiropractic care can also significantly help relieve pain from the areas of your body with chronic inflammation.
Chiropractic Adjustments Can Reduce Inflammatory Agents
The primary purpose of chiropractic care is to realign the vertebrae in your spine to reduce the pressure on your nerves and promote a healthy nervous system.
When your spine and other joints are correctly aligned, and your nerves are functioning as they should, your body's biomechanics return to normal.
This will stop the production of neuropeptides, and in turn, will help reduce inflammation.
Chiropractic care can also reduce the production of cytokines, which are proteins that regulate the cells of the immune system.
When cytokines build up, they can cause a severe inflammatory response.
Preliminary studies suggest that chiropractors may not only help the affected areas but other parts of the body as well.
Chiropractors Can Offer Lifestyle Advice
Along with the performance of spinal adjustments, chiropractors can also suggest lifestyle changes that can help fight chronic inflammation.
During your appointment, your chiropractor can recommend:
- Anti-inflammation diet: A nutrient-dense, low-calorie diet made up of fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and fish can help reduce inflammation. Your chiropractor can also suggest supplements like vitamin D, magnesium, and fish oil to promote joint health.
- Exercise: Exercise promotes healthy bodily functions and reduces inflammation. Everyone should aim for 30 minutes of aerobics and 15 minutes of weight training four to five days a week.
- Weight loss: Your body is naturally more inflammatory if you are overweight. Shedding the extra pounds with diet and exercise can help.
- Stress management: Your chiropractor may suggest techniques for managing your stress, such as meditating, yoga, or various other techniques. Getting enough sleep can also help you tackle stressful situations more effectively.
Talk To Your Chiropractor
If you're dealing with chronic inflammation or a chronic inflammatory disease, chiropractic care can go a long way to ease your symptoms.
A balanced approach that includes chiropractic adjustments, proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management can significantly improve your overall health and lower your inflammation.
If you'd like to speak to a chiropractor about your inflammation, contact the team at Advanced Injury Care.
They help people treat a number of issues, including chronic inflammation, and they're prepared to help you today.
Click the button below to get started.
