What Is a Chiropractor’s Role in Reducing Inflammation?

The immune system activates when the body encounters an offending agent like bacteria and virus or simply suffers from an injury. The immune system then sends out its first responders, the inflammatory cells and substances that stimulate more inflammatory cells (cytokines). Due to these cells, an inflammatory response traps the bacteria and other offending agents. In short, it starts healing the injured tissues, and this may result in bruising, pain, and swelling. 

In the case of chronic inflammation, the body continues to send inflammatory cells even in the absence of danger outside. 

Why Does Chronic Inflammation Happen?

Various things can lead to chronic inflammation. These include infection, injury, untreated causes of acute inflammation, an autoimmune disorder that involves the mistaken attack of the immune system on healthy tissues, as well as constant exposure to irritants like polluted air and industrial chemicals.

How Does Chronic Inflammation Affect the Body?

If you’re suffering from chronic inflammation, your body's inflammatory response can slowly start damaging the healthy organs, tissues, and cells. In the long run, this can lead to internal scarring, DNA damage, and tissue death. Such issues are linked to the development of several diseases like cancer.

How Can Chiropractic Care Reduce Inflammation?

Our chiropractor, Dr. Michael Berry, D.C., can help reduce inflammation through chiropractic adjustments. Such adjustments align the spine and other joints properly. This allows the body’s biomechanics to return to normal, which stops the production of neuropeptides and helps in reducing inflammation. Furthermore, chiropractic treatment can also treat other chronic conditions effectively that affect a person’s health or cause chronic pain. 

Here are some chronic conditions that can be treated through chiropractic care:

• Asthma

       Alignment problems with the spine can worsen asthma symptoms. Chiropractic treatment can realign the spine, which allows the muscles used for breathing to loosen. This then allows a person to take deeper breaths.

• High Blood Pressure

     In some cases, high BP can be related to neck subluxation. According to recent medical studies, patients who suffered from high BP and had a misalignment of the vertebrae in their neck saw their blood pressure drop after spinal manipulation treatment.

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder)

      GERD occurs when the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach doesn’t close completely or is weak. The risk of GERD can also increase due to subluxations that press on the nerves in the stomach along with other parts of the gastrointestinal system. Hands-on treatment like spinal manipulation can realign the spine and reduce the pressure on nerves.

Conclusion

Looking for chiropractic treatment for chronic pain? Visit Active Chiropractor & Laser Center in Tustin, CA, for the best chiropractic care and services. Contact us to schedule an appointment now.

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Top 5 Tips to Reduce Chronic Inflammation for a Healthy Body

Chronic inflammation is the body's confused, harmful response to any number of mental, physical, and environmental factors such as stress and poor diet.

There are a few simple things you can do to reverse its effects, including the following:

1. Start an anti-inflammatory diet
   Incorporate fiber, berries, healthy fats (i.e. extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed oil), and plant and fish based proteins into your diet. When choosing spices, opt for garlic, ginger, onion, rosemary, and turmeric.

2. Identify and address food allergies and infections
   If you haven't addressed a major food allergy or chronic infection, you may not be able to reverse the effects of inflammation. Try an elimination diet to rule out common allergens, such as dairy and gluten, and get your stool and blood work analyzed for abnormal bacteria, parasites, yeasts, and other gastrointestinal problems.

3. Exercise regularly to maintain an optimum weight
   Make time for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise four times per week. Then add high-intensity interval training sessions three times per week and strength or resistance training exercises two or three times per week.

4. Get ample amounts of rest
   Most doctors recommend seven to eight hours of sleep for adults. Cutting your sleep short is tough on the immune system. If it's running on overdrive to keep you healthy, inflammation can rear its ugly head.

5. Calm your mind
   Mental factors can trigger inflammation just as much as physical and environmental factors. Seek out ways to reduce stress in your life, and make a point to clear your mind at least once a day with meditation or something similar.

While chiropractic services won't cure a severe dairy allergy or work related stress, they play a key role in overall health, which is critical for minimizing inflammation. To learn more about how to reduce chronic inflammation, talk to your chiropractor.

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