Somedays it can feel like your body is rebelling against you. All you want to do is get up, maybe go to work or have fun with friends, simple everyday things. Your body has other plans. If you suffer from chronic pain, inflammation in your body may be making it worse. And once inflamed, it can be hard to quell the fire and get your body feeling good again. Drs. Stefanie and George Olar, owners and practitioners at 360 Chiropractic want you to understand chronic inflammation and how chiropractic work can help your body stop being at war with itself.
“Inflammation is a natural response by the body’s immune system to injury, infection, stress and harmful stimuli,” shares Dr. George. “While it is essential for healing, chronic inflammation can lead to persistent pain, affecting daily life. Understanding how inflammation contributes to pain and how chiropractic care may help with management is helpful for those seeking holistic treatment options.”
What Causes Chronic Inflammation?
Unfortunately, there is not one simple cause of chronic inflammation in the body. Figuring out the cause in your own body may be difficult, as there is most likely more than one factor at play. “Chronic inflammation can be due to various factors such as repetitive stress, repetitive injuries, prolonged poor posture or autoimmune disorders,” shares Dr. Stefanie. Most of us are dealing with more than one of those things in our lives.
20% of the adult U.S. population – roughly 1 in 4 – has arthritis. It’s the leading cause of disability! And if you have it, you can understand why the pain is inhibiting. It can be made worse due to inflammation. “Conditions like arthritis, tendonitis and certain digestive disorders are often associated with chronic inflammation,” adds Dr. Stefanie. In turn, chronic inflammation makes the symptoms for these medical issues worse, creating a vicious circle.
Are you now wondering, “Do I have Chronic Inflammation?”
Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation
- Fatigue
- Redness
- Swollen Joints & Joint Pain
- High Blood Pressure
- Chest Pain
- Abdominal Pain
- Fever
- Rash
- Stiffness
- Irritable Bowels
- Weight Gain
So How Do I Decrease Inflammation in the Body?
If you have these symptoms, especially in tandem with arthritis, tendonitis or a digestive disorder, you may be wondering how you can stop the body inflammation. Drs. Stefanie and George at 360 Chiropractic have a few tips for decreasing chronic inflammation.
Tips To Decrease Inflammation from 360 Chiropractic in Lacey
Eat Anti-inflammatory Foods. Incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, flaxseeds and black currant seeds are also beneficial. Try limiting processed foods, sugars and saturated fats that feed inflammation!
When avoiding sugar, be aware of sugar substitutes. For example, sucralose (you may know it as Splenda) is a very common ingredient in sugar-free foods. However, it is known to increase inflammation! Honey is a great way to sweeten your coffee, tea or even that pie you are baking and is anti-inflammatory.
Exercise Regularly. Physical activity promotes the release of endorphins, which can reduce inflammation, improve mood, and improve memory. Plus, studies show that walking regularly can help you live a longer life!
Get Enough Sleep. Sleep is essential for overall health and inflammation control. Try establishing a relaxing bedtime routine.
Manage Stress. Chronic stress can trigger inflammation. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, humming or yoga. Dr. Stefanie is a certified yoga instructor and practices regularly to reduce her stress.
Consider Anti-Inflammatory Supplements. Supplements such as Omega-3s (fish oil or black currant seed), turmeric, curcumin and ginger all have natural anti-inflammatory properties. Always follow recommended dosages and use brands that are both clean and ethically sourced.
How Chiropractic Care Helps with Chronic Inflammation
Drs. Stefanie and George see a lot of patients dealing with chronic inflammation – you are not alone! Dr. Stefanie’s last tip on how to reduce inflammation is to seek out chiropractic care. “Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system,” she explains. “Utilizing adjustments, chiropractors work to align the body’s musculoskeletal structure, alleviating pressure on affected nerves, which can reduce inflammation.”
“Significant numbers of chiropractic patients report improvements with pain and mobility after receiving chiropractic care,” she continues. “In several controlled group studies, chiropractic adjustments caused the mediators of inflammation to present a normalization response in individuals suffering from chronic low back pain.”
Arthritis, Chron’s disease and multiple sclerosis patients find that gentle, targeted spinal adjustments can help with chronic inflammation as well as symptoms from the diseases themselves.
Dr. Stefanie says other techniques a chiropractor may suggest and use include soft tissue therapies like massage therapy, myofascial release, and low-level laser therapy to improve circulation and reduce inflammation.
“In addition to treatments, many chiropractors may guide posture correction, work ergonomics and exercises to strengthen muscles and improve joint stability,” Dr. Stefanie adds. “These lifestyle modifications can help prevent inflammation-related pain from recurring.”
As you can see, just as there is not one thing that causes inflammation, there is also not one cure. “Understanding the relationship between inflammation, pain and chiropractic care underscores the importance of holistic approaches in healthcare,” shares Dr. Stefanie. “By restoring proper alignment and promoting overall wellness, chiropractors empower patients to take an active role in their healing journey.”
To learn more about their holistic approach, visit the 360 Chiropractic website or call 360.923.0360 to get on their new patient waitlist.
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