Most of us have some aches and pains every now and again. But some people suffer from chronic pain.
Pain in their lower back, pain in their hips, pain in their neck, pain in their shoulders, pain in their head, knees, elbows – well you get the point.
Some people have pain in all their joints. Some people have pain and soreness in all their muscles.
What is this pain and how can we reduce it?
Every pain syndrome involves inflammation.
The key to treating pain is to understand and reduce the inflammation.
So what is this inflammation?
Inflammation is actually an important part of our body’s defense system and it plays a leading role in the healing process.
When our body detects an attack or danger from an injury, an infection, or exposure to an irritating substance the immune system triggers an inflammatory response.
This acute response can include localized swelling and increased white blood cells whose job it is to isolate and fight the invader, clean up the area, and allow the body to heal.
In truth, inflammation is the first stage in the body’s healing process.
And once the healing is on its way the inflammation should end. The danger is over. The body is healed.
However, sometimes this process goes awry. Sometimes the acute inflammation that is meant to help our bodies heal doesn’t resolve itself. When the inflammation continues longer than a few weeks it is called chronic inflammation.
Chronic inflammation can occur when there is constant exposure to an irritating substance, in an auto-immune disorder when the body mistakenly attacks itself, or simply when a person doesn’t recover from an episode of acute inflammation.
In cases of chronic inflammation the body continues to engage in the process and produce the substances that attack and fight off intruders. Constantly. This can continue even if the initial trigger is gone.
How is this connected to pain?
Well as we all know acute inflammation can be painful. Think about a little paper cut. The cut gets red and the area might swell a bit. This is inflammation at its best – kick starting the healing process.
The inflamed, swollen, red area is sensitive and can ache, throb and pinch. As the area heals the swelling goes down, the redness resolves, the sensitivity is less. Once the area is healed – there is usually no more pain.
Inflammation can also bring with it flu type symptoms like fever, chills, fatigue, headaches, and muscle stiffness.
With chronic inflammation these symptoms of inflammation – pain, soreness, achiness, and stiffness continue and don’t self resolve. Chronic inflammation can continue for years.
Some people experience chronic inflammation and pain locally, in one specific area of their body. Others have pain all over and experience a more systemic type of inflammation.
But do NOT despair!!
The good news is that chronic Inflammation can usually be resolved, and pain can be reduced and even eliminated. Our bodies know how to heal it. We just need to give the body the right tools.
Next week we will address how YOU can lower inflammation in your body and reduce chronic pain.
