Inflammation- Common signs and Treatment
Inflammation has been a fairly common cause of pain and discomfort among my patients.
In fact, according to a 2020 report–the number of conditions tied to inflammation is said to increase exponentially over the next three decades in the US. That is quite alarming.
And naturally, a lot of my patients have been concerned with inflammation and the problems that come with it. What are the signs to look out for? How can it be treated?
The blog below may help. From the basic idea of inflammation to its possible solutions–here is everything a new patient should know-
What is inflammation?
Primarily, inflammation is an essential part of the body’s healing. It is the process by which our white blood cells and the rest of the immunity system–protect the body from infections and pathogens.
This is part of the body’s natural response to remove an intruder, and it happens in everyone–whether or not we are aware of it. While inflammation is important in the short term, it is not good when the inflammatory cells stay too long. The body may continue to send inflammatory cells even when there is no outside danger–and that is chronic inflammation. This opens up a slew of problems.
Inflammation and the spine
Inflammatory problems may occur in the body’s neuromuscular system, and that can be debilitating or downright painful. In fact, every single portion of the spine can be affected by inflammation. An injury to the discs, ligaments, or anywhere around the spine–is often followed by fluid build-up or swelling in the affected area. This can easily be spotted using various kinds of imaging.
The common signs
When it comes to short-term or acute inflammation–pain and swelling are the most common signs involved. Some patients may also have flushed skin at the site of an injury. This is usually a response to sudden body damage, like cuts or bruises.
But chronic Inflammation is trickier. Inflammatory problems–particularly in the neuromuscular system, are often followed by some or all of these signs-
Fatigue
Sluggishness
“Heaviness” in the brain
Difficulty in motion
Abdominal pain
Stiffness and joint pain
Treating inflammation
Are you noticing any signs of inflammation?
There are some things you can do to make it better.
Gently apply ice around the wound for 15 mins–at least 3 times a day
A good, 20-min bath with 1 cup Epsom salt
Try supplements! Some vitamins and supplements have anti-inflammatory properties and can improve your healing-
Omega 3 supplements
Magnesium supplements
Vitamin D, vitamin C, and vitamin A supplements
Inflammatone, by Designs For Health-
Leafy greens, tomatoes, and olive oil have great anti-inflammatory properties. So, add more of these to your diet.
And in the same light, try and cut back on fried foods, cured meats, and refined oils. Eating too much of these can increase inflammation.
And finally-
Getting adjusted can help!
If you are always in pain and total discomfort, please do not just wait for it to get better. If left for itself, chronic inflammation can get worse and cause severe problems down the road. And for those looking for a natural solution to this problem–chiropractic care has been an ideal solution.
Treatment in my office will initially include a proper evaluation of your condition. I will try and identify the source of your pain–and this will be key in determining the cause of inflammation.
In most cases, gentle adjustments to the spine have been incredibly effective in reducing inflammation. Spinal adjustments can help release tension and provide relief to the irritated nerves or tissues–if any. Chiropractic adjustments are also key in allowing better nerve communication throughout the body. This makes the immune system less likely to trigger chronic inflammation.
Got any concerns? Please do not hesitate to send a word. At Lotus Chiropractic Care, Dr. Tanvi Desai can assess your condition and walk you through the right treatment plan. She can also advise you on some exercises or dietary changes that may make things better.
With chiropractic care and a healthy lifestyle–a balanced approach could be your key to recovery!