It’s part of the body’s defense mechanism, namely the immune system, and plays a crucial role in the healing process. The purpose of inflammation is to remove harmful stimuli and initiate the repair process.

Inflammation can occur in different parts of the body and can have various causes, but common features often include:

Redness: Increased blood flow to the affected area, transporting immunecells, causes it to become red and warm. This is useful, for example, when we cut ourselves, and the skin’s protective barrier is breached. The immune system quickly stops the bleeding and mobilizes a defense against invading bacteria, toxins etc. This requires increased blood supply.

Swelling: Fluid and white blood cells enter the damaged area, and the increased activity and number of cells cause swelling.

Pain: Inflammation can irritate nerves and cause pain. Pain is an important signal indicating, for example, that a broken finger should be kept still for proper healing.

Loss of function: The affected part of the body may have reduced function, such as limited movement in a sprained joint that doesn’t need stress while healing.

Inflammation can be divided into two main types:

Acute inflammation: This is a short-term and normal response to injury or infection, as in the examples above. It occurs quickly, and the reaction is often intense, as in the examples of redness, swelling, pain, and reduced function.

Chronic inflammation: This is an inflammatory condition that lasts for an extended period. It can be weeks, months, or even years. It may involve lower-grade inflammation that occurs more in the background, with symptoms not as severe as in acute cases. Chronic inflammation can be caused by various factors, including autoimmune diseases, obesity, prolonged exposure to irritants, or infections.

Inflammation is an essential part of the body’s healing process and a protective mechanism against infections. However, if inflammation becomes chronic or excessive, it can lead to health problems and contribute to the development of various diseases. Treatment of inflammation depends on the cause and may include medication and lifestyle changes of various kinds.

Some of the causes of chronic inflammation include:

Autoimmune diseases: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis involve an overreaction of the immune system, resulting in chronic inflammation in the body.

Prolonged exposure to irritants: Exposure to chemicals, pollutants, smoke, or other irritants can lead to chronic inflammation in the lungs, skin, or other tissues.

Obesity: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammation. Much inflammation is produced in adipose tissue, and losing weight can reduce inflammation. Certain hormonal imbalances, such as during menopause or thyroid hormone imbalances, can lead to various signs of increased inflammation with the associated discomfort.

Diet: A diet rich in sugar, processed foods, unhealthy fats, and lacking healthy fatty acids can contribute to chronic inflammation.

Stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact the immune system and lead to inflammation.

Aging: Aging, by itself, can be a cause of low-grade chronic inflammation, known as “inflammaging.”

Genetic factors: Some people may have a genetic predisposition to develop chronic inflammation or autoimmune diseases. This doesn’t mean it’s inevitable but rather that it is good to know where your body has its genetically weak points to support the right areas.

Chronic diseases: Certain chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, can lead to persistent inflammation.

Smoking: Smoking is a known cause of inflammation in the lungs and other tissues.

When you book a consultation with me, needing help with chronic pain and inflammation, we typically examine your diet, looking for any food your body may not tolerate, resulting in stress. We also look into potential vitamin deficiencies, habits, exercise, various factors that  in your life that act as a constant burden. We take a closer look into your health history as a whole. You will receive a personalized program to follow, incorporating solutions such as diet, exercise, vitamins, herbs, and homeopathy. Laboratory tests may be considered to take a deeper look into the underlying issues. DNA life tests might also be interesting.

Additionally, I recommend booking a package that includes four sessions of manual therapy and follow-ups. This approach yields the best results, and my experience shows that it works well, providing strong support to turn your life in the right direction, allowing you more energy to continue with positive habits.

Manual therapy forms that I typically offer for support alleviating pain and chronic inflammation include ear acupuncture, reflexology, laser therapy, connective tissue massage/craniosacral therapy, heat therapy, and hypervibe (read more here).

I am looking forward to helping you.