Inflammatory Pain Handout

WHAT IS INFLAMMATION?

After an injury, or flare-up of an existing issue, the body produces inflammation. Symptoms of inflammation may include: pain, swelling, redness, increased temperature, and loss of movement. When inflammation sets in, it usually is felt as an increase of 3 points on a 10-point scale, which lasts longer than a day - typically 3 -5 days. Once inflammation sets in, the body starts to heal. Pain is your brain-body’s response to inflammation. Once an injury occurs, your brain produces pain in the area to tell you to back off, slow down, etc. This is your brains response in an attempt to get you to respect the injury; ultimately allowing the injury to heal correctly to decrease the odds of re-injury during the early phase of healing. 

WHAT ARE CAUSES OF INFLAMMATION?

Anything that causes tissue damage or stress to an area can cause inflammation.
Examples: sprain/strain, leaky gut (food sensitivities), autoimune conditions, working out, etc.

WHAT DOES INFLAMMATION FEEL LIKE?

Inflammatory pain may be described as:

• “I feel stiff or tight” 
• “I have pain here when I move like this”
• “I hear and feel crackling” 
• “I have a constant dull ache that doesn’t ever go away”
• “I have a nagging issue in multiple areas of my body that never get better”

Categorizing Inflammation?

It is important to categorize your type of inflammatory pain. Typically, there are two types of inflammatory pain after an injury. A third type of inflammatory pain can be present at the same time for other reasons (systemic inflammation). Understanding the difference can help guide you toward the right intervention.

Mechanical Inflammatory Pain

Mechanical pain gets better and worse depending on the position of your body or movement(s) that you perform. With mechanical inflammatory pain, if there is a position or movement that hurts, then the opposite position or movement might be therapeutic. Over-the-counter pain medication or muscle relaxers are typically not helpful here. It may take the edge off the pain but not reduce it significantly. Healthcare providers who may be able to help direct care during this type of pain include: chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists. Ulitmately, we need to find the right position to rest in and then move through to reduce and eliminate mechanical inflammatory pain. 

Chemical Inflammatory Pain

Chemical pain gets worse with all positions and movements. With this type of pain, rest, anti-inflammatory foods, spices and medications are beneficial. These “supplements” work by reducing chemical pain receptors in the body. Typically, after the first 5-7 days of a flare up or new injury, chemical inflammation decreases or is gone. Healthcare providers who may be able to help direct care during this type of pain include: a family M.D., a chiropractor, and a naturopath. Each provider has their own strategies. 

How to Support the Body With Inflammation

We want to superchage the mitochondria and the anti-inflammatory pathways. Outside of pharamaceuticals, we want to use "tools" and nutrition for either form of inflammatory pain. Below is not an exhaustive list but a beneficial list for many reasons. Some of these are appropriate interventions for some inflammatory situations and not correct for others. If you have questions feel free to contact us or another healthcare provider. 

Tools Beneficial for Inflammation

• Red Light Therapy
• Class 4 Lasers
• Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy 
• Heat - speeds healing but can increase inflammation
• Cold - slows healing down for inflammation but decreases pain
• Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy
• Saunas 

Supplements Beneficial for Inflammation

• Methelyene Blue
• Turmeric 
• Antioxidants 
  • Glutathione
  • Resveratrol
  • Melatonin 

In Closing

If you further questions feel free to reach out to either Wichita, KS locations. We are conviently located off of east K-96 and west Kellogg.