Inflammation plays a significant role in many chronic pain-causing conditions. Learning to manage it is a vital part of an effective pain management treatment plan. At Macomb Pain Management, we support you every step of the way, providing the tools and knowledge you need to take control of your life and manage your chronic pain. Keep reading to learn more about the role of inflammation in chronic pain and the steps you can take to reduce chronic pain-causing inflammation both on your own and with the help of pain management specialists.
What is Inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection and plays a prominent role in pain and pain-causing conditions. The body’s system typically triggers inflammation to fight off infections or as the result of an injury. It is caused by the body sending white blood cells to the affected area, promoting healing in the body. While this is a natural response, chronic inflammation can lead to pain, loss of function in the affected area, and other irritating symptoms. There are two types of inflammation in the body: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is the body’s immediate response to injury or infection and typically resolves in a few hours to a few days. On the other hand, chronic inflammation in the body lasts for weeks, months, or even years and can cause pain, swelling, and loss of function in the inflamed area of the body. Chronic inflammation is the type of inflammation that is most commonly associated with chronic pain-causing conditions like:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Lupus
- Psoriatic Arthritis
Managing chronic inflammation is crucial to build an effective pain management treatment plan.
The Connection Between Chronic Inflammation and Pain
Chronic inflammation can cause and worsen pain in patients with high levels of inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to peripheral sensitization, leading to the over-sensitization of pain receptors in inflamed body areas. This can cause pain levels to become more intense and difficult to live with. If not addressed and corrected, peripheral sensitization can lead to patients developing central sensitization when the body’s central nervous system becomes overly reactive to pain signals sent to the brain. In some cases, patients dealing with an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, like rheumatoid arthritis, may begin to develop areas of inflammation-induced tissue damage, which can lead to pain and loss of function of the affected joint. While chronic inflammation can both cause and increase pain levels, there are steps you can take to reduce your levels of chronic inflammation.
How to Get Chronic Inflammation Under Control
Several foods and spices have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, making them beneficial for chronic pain patients to incorporate into their diet. These include foods like:
- Fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Turmeric
- Black pepper
- Ginger
- Oregano
Maintaining a healthy weight has also been shown to reduce chronic inflammation. Steps should also be taken to manage stress levels, as stress causes the body to release cortisol, a hormone that can fuel inflammation. Not getting enough sleep can increase your stress levels and other inflammatory markers in the body. Besides eating a healthy diet, inflammation can be reduced by ensuring that you:
- Get eight hours of sleep a night
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption
- Exercise regularly (after first consulting with your doctor)
Suppose chronic inflammation is causing or worsening your pain. In that case, the team of pain management doctors and specialists at Macomb Pain Management can help you build an effective, safe, and affordable pain management plan that addresses inflammation.
Get Help With Chronic Inflammation At Macomb Pain Management
At Macomb Pain Management, we offer effective pain management treatments that fight pain at the site and address chronic inflammation concerns. To learn more about our treatments and to schedule a consultation with one of our Board-Certified physicians, contact us today at (248) 844-8281.
