Since chronic pain is often caused by inflammation, why does inflammation happen?
Inflammation is one of our body’s natural defense mechanisms that help it fight against potential harm. It could be in the form of infections, injuries, and even toxins. It’s part of the body’s immune system – a response that is meant to promote healing and recovery.
Inflammation in and of itself is not bad.
Even acute inflammation is not bad. Acute inflammation happens when our bodies need to do some repair. Tissue damaged from an injury and the stuffy head from colds, other illnesses, or exposure to allergens is actually meant to help us recover!
So, if inflammation isn’t bad, what’s the problem?
The problem is chronic inflammation. This is a result of too much stress in our lives – in all forms: physical stress, mental stress, emotional stress, chemical stress, etc.
Unfortunately, when we overload on stressors, the immune system can get overwhelmed, and it increases the inflammation response and doesn’t seem to shut it off. Chronic inflammation is at the root of many illnesses and physical maladies.
How does diet effect inflammation?
Here’s the bad news: our modern diet is often the cause of the chemical stressors and toxins that lead to chronic inflammation. It is low in nutrients and high in inflammatory foods that wreak havoc on our systems. The good news is that cleaning up your diet can reverse the effects of inflammation, helping your body to reduce inflammation and pain and sometimes remove it all together!
Pass on Pesticides – Choose Organic
Pesticides and other toxins are sprayed on our food, as well as on the food of the animals we eat. A quick google search brought me to Beyond Pesticides – an entire website dedicated to demonstrating the links between pesticides and many diseases and illnesses, including those that chronic inflammation plays a role in causing.
White Sugar – The White Devil
Processed white sugar is one of the biggest issues in our diets. You may not know this, but unless stated, sugar on labels is usually from sugar beets, a toxic GMO crop. It rarely comes from sugar cane anymore. It is easy to become addicted to, and they put that $*!# in everything. I don’t even miss it in my clean versions of salad dressing, condiments, tomato sauces and so much more. Honestly, you will not miss the sugar if you buy sugar free mustard and ketchup. Numerous studies have linked white sugar to chronic inflammation, whether it is from sugar beets or cane sugar.
Gluten & Processed Foods, Oh My!
Gluten is another biggie. Many people know they need to eat a gluten free diet because of glaring health issues. Many others have a sensitivity to gluten and can eat it, but they don’t feel good after because of leaky gut, upset stomach or other symptoms. Again, there are oodles of articles on gluten and chronic inflammation.
Overly processed foods are the last major culprit of inflammation in our bodies and encompasses much of the modern diet, including most of the cooking oils on the market. This processing of food is how many chemical toxins make their way into our diets and how most of the nutrients are removed from our food.
Tips for reducing pain from inflammation
Ice Ice, Baby!
Ice is one of the best things you can do to provide relief from the pain of inflammation associated with injuries, orthopedic post-op and more. It can be used long term with no ill effects, although you do have to be conscientious of not getting an area too cold. Most practitioners will recommend best icing practices for individual cases.
Like many people, we have some reusable gel packs in the freezer at all times specifically for icing injuries. They don’t seem to get as cold as straight ice, but we still put a cloth between our skin and the ice pack. They are available at the local pharmacies around here.
Hot packs for pain relief.
Isn’t it crazy that we can use both cold and heat to help relieve pain? Heat is recommended for certain kinds of injuries, muscle pain and more! But, keep in mind that heat will not reduce inflammation which is why many practitioners recommend we follow up with cold for acute injuries.
Also, listen to your body. If it feels too hot, it might be! I know someone who used a microwavable heat pack on his arm. He thought it was a good burn. Until he ended up with third degree burns and scars over six months later. Be conscientious when using hot packs on yourself or children.
Ahhhhh . . . pain relieving lotions, gels, etc.
Many people find relief from topical analgesics and pain relievers like cooling balms, lotions and gels. Again I can’t stress enough the need to read labels. Some of these contain toxic ingredients like parabens, ammonias and dyes. There are clean herbal formulations that work pretty well that contain herbal, nontoxic ingredients generally considered safe for long term use. I like Vintage Traditions Oh Aches Tallow Balm.
Beware long term use of over-the-counter pain meds!
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are the common names for the most well known over-the-counter swelling reducers, pain relievers and/or fever reducers. All of these have a list of bad side effects possible from long term use. A quick internet search gives oodles. Or just ask your practitioner.
Aside from that, some of these may give relief from pain, but they don’t help with swelling. And some are recommended for fever and others aren’t.
Bottom line, make sure you read your labels, or talk to a professional first if you aren’t positive. Make sure you know which are best for your problem before you take any – especially long term.
Best Tip for Reducing Chronic Inflammation!
Eat fewer foods that contain ingredients known to cause inflammation.
You can spend hours and days researching this . . .
Or you can contact us about our next 2 – week class. We will walk you through following this anti-inflammatory nutrition guide for the first two weeks so you can feel the benefits for yourself. Our goal is to teach you the ins and outs of what foods are anti-inflammatory and what inflammation-causing foods you want to avoid like the plague.
When I followed this Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Guide for two weeks I had amazing results and started feeling the benefits by day four. That was over a year ago, and my chronic pain has remained in check! I do follow the Anti-inflammatory Nutrition Guide most days and it has made such a difference in my life!
Ready to try living with less pain? Contact us about our next 2-week classes starting soon. 😉
Feel Better Fast! 