The purpose of chiropractic therapy is primarily to realign your spine’s vertebrae. This is to make your nervous system healthier and also reduce pressure on your nerves. The biomechanics of your body can return to normal when your joints and spine are aligned properly. Your nerves also function the way they should.
By stopping the production of neuropeptides, a properly aligned spine can help in reducing inflammation. Chiropractic therapy can also help in reducing cytokines production– which causes an extreme inflammatory response. Chiropractic therapy does not only help the affected area, but it improves the function of other body parts as well.
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is a way in which your body protects itself from injuries, infection, irritation, and illness. Your body’s immune system produces an inflammatory response to potential invaders and irritants. This response is to help fight off harmful pathogens or bacteria.
Your body uses inflammation to fight off harmful substances. If it did not respond this way, these substances would move freely in your body and cause harm. Inflammation occurs to protect the body from such harm. When it happens, it may cause pain, swelling, and redness. In extreme cases, the presence of a foreign substance in your body may lead to death.
Inflammation is beneficial and is present in every person. By getting rid of foreign pathogens and irritants, your body can start to heal. Without an inflammatory response, wounds and infections would not be capable of healing. With treatment and time, beneficial inflammation disappears, and so does the swelling and redness.
What Are The Causes Of Inflammation?
The causes of inflammation range from a high level of fatigue or stress to a poor diet. Generally, your lifestyle choices can also cause inflammation. Here are some things that may cause an inflammatory response:
- Chronic sickness
- Injury to your body
- Poor nutrition and inflammatory foods
- Not sleeping well
- Disease or sickness
What Is Chronic Inflammation?
Chronic inflammation is not the same as the typical response of your body to irritants and harm. It is a type of inflammation that happens when the inflammatory response by your body to a potential threat is greater than the normal response it is supposed to have. Arthritis is a case of chronic inflammation where the body produces a response despite having nothing to fight.
Chronic inflammation can be triggered by a wrong immune response, possibly leading to illness or long-term pain. It can also give rise to an autoimmune response. This is a result of the immune response attacking healthy substances normally present in the body because of inaccurately suspecting them to be a threat.
Chronic inflammation can be harmful and can lead to diseases and conditions such as Psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and some forms of cancer. A lot of people do not know they have chronic inflammation until a related disease or disorder is diagnosed in them.
What Are The Symptoms Of Chronic Inflammation?
Some symptoms of chronic inflammation may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Fever
- High blood pressure
- Irritable bowels
- Rash
- Redness
- Stiffness
- Joint pain and swollen joints
- Weight gain
The immune system of your body can become overused as it tries to get rid of potential pathogens and infections, leading to more inflammation. Blood cells are released by the body to help fight off threatening substances. However, this response may contribute to chronic inflammation. When it does, the immune system becomes unbalanced, possibly leading to chronic illness.
Can Chiropractic Therapy Help Treat Inflammation?
Chiropractic care may be used to ease symptoms of chronic inflammation. It can also help to get rid of the stress adding to your condition. Generally, it is a treatment option capable of providing relief from chronic inflammation. The approach of this therapy is focused on the nervous system and spine.
Your spine can be manually adjusted by a chiropractor to help relieve you of pinched spinal nerves, thereby releasing tension. This adjustment can help minimize the production of cytokines and neuropeptides, helping to further reduce inflammation. Your body’s immune system is less likely to trigger chronic inflammation since spinal adjustments improve nerve signaling and communication.
Chiropractic Therapy For A Healthy Lifestyle
Chiropractors can help diagnose the cause of your chronic inflammation. They can also recommend lifestyle changes to help ease symptoms and minimize their occurrence.
Here are some common lifestyle changes that can help in treating chronic inflammation:
1. Regular Exercises
A good way of maintaining the normal functioning of your body and reducing inflammation is by doing exercise regularly. A chiropractor can help recommend the best exercises that will be beneficial to the well-being of your body. Exercises like weight training and aerobics can help you be at your best.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Some nutrient-rich food can help reduce chronic inflammation. Such diets may include fish and lean meat, vegetables, and plenty of fruits. To prevent inflammation, supplements like fish oils, magnesium, and vitamin D are usually recommended.
3. Stress Reduction
Everybody experiences stress to some level. However, managing your stress level is good for promoting relaxation and reducing inflammation. You can create a stress-free environment by doing activities you enjoy. Gardening, reading, meditating, and yoga are some of the activities that can reduce your stress level.
4. Sleep Management
You need to get enough sleep to be able to handle daily stressors. Sleep makes your immune system more effective and promotes a healthy body. It’s important to get enough rest to improve your health and minimize the chance of developing conditions that are associated with chronic inflammation.
5. Weight Loss
If you are overweight or suffering from constant weight fluctuations, maintaining a healthy weight is crucial. Weight loss prevents inflammation from getting worse and can be achieved through exercise and proper dieting.
Conclusion
Inflammation is your body’s natural response to foreign substances. However, it may become chronic if the inflammation becomes frequent. With spinal manipulation and lifestyle changes, chiropractic therapy can help treat inflammation.
