Understanding The Inflammatory Response

By Dr. John A. Papa, DC, FCCPOR(C)

The inflammatory response is a natural phenomenon that enables our bodies to fend off various disease-causing organisms, harmful toxins, and physical injury.  It is a protective and restorative process that helps keep us healthy - most of the time.  Unfortunately, when inflammation becomes excessive or uncontrolled, we begin to see chronic inflammation which can lead to poor physical health.  Learn more about how the inflammatory response can affect your health.

When you catch a cold, sprain your ankle, or are exposed to an environmental pollutant such as cigarette smoke, a chain of events are triggered in your body known as the “inflammatory cascade”.  The familiar signs of normal inflammation - local redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of function - are the first signals that your immune system is being called into action.  Pro-inflammatory hormones are released at the injury site, which stimulates the release of white blood cells, antibodies, and other chemical compounds that help initiate the healing and repair process.  Inflammation that starts and ends as intended signifies the proper and essential inflammatory response.

Chronic inflammation occurs when there is an inflammatory response of prolonged duration (weeks, months, indefinite).  It is accompanied by simultaneous attempts at healing and repair and inevitably causes tissue damage.  Over time, it may become more difficult for the body to heal and repair tissue in areas of chronic inflammation.

Symptoms of chronic inflammation can include persistent pain, fever, fatigue, weakness, and irritability.  Chronic inflammation has also been linked to undesirable health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, symptomatic osteoarthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome.  Listed below are some natural ways to manage and avoid chronic inflammation:

·     Use the right fuel:  Avoid foods that can be a source of chronic inflammation in the body such as refined sugars, trans fats, and allergens.  In contrast, omega-3 fats which are found in fish oils have an inflammation suppressing effect.  Anti-oxidants, found in most fruits and vegetables are natural compounds that help protect the body from harmful free radicals and inflammation.

·     Exercise works like medicine:  Endorphins released by the body during exercise can have anti-inflammatory properties.  Exercise also regulates insulin levels and body weight.  Being overweight increases inflammation in the body.  Fat cells are efficient factories for producing key inflammatory elements, and burning calories through exercise shrinks those cells.

·     Sleep and stress management:  Poor sleep quality increases body inflammation.  Regular restful sleep allows for important biological systems to recover and recharge.  Prolonged stress, whether it is emotional or physical, can be a source of chronic inflammation.  Finding an effective outlet for dealing with stress is important for managing this source of inflammation.

·     Be mindful of your habits and environment:  Avoiding exposure to pollution and toxic fumes such as cigarette smoke will help minimize inflammation in the body.

·    Treat muscle and joint injuries:  These injuries can be a major source of inflammation.  Many individuals experience the benefits of therapies such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care for these structural causes of pain and inflammation.

For additional information on natural inflammation management and improving your health, visit www.nhwc.ca.

This article is a basic summary for educational purposes only.  It is not intended, and should not be considered, as a replacement for consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a duly licensed health practitioner.

Non-Invasive Recommendations For Managing Low Back Pain

By Dr. R. Greg Lusk, DC

In January of this year a new clinical practice guideline was published in the European Journal of Pain with respect to the non-invasive management of low back pain (LBP).  A clinical practice guideline aims to summarize research evidence, with the goal of optimizing patient care and improving health outcomes, and to prevent clinicians from considering interventions that are ineffective, expensive or harmful.  LBP affects 80% of people throughout their lives, is a common cause of disability, and is the most common musculoskeletal complaint for which people visit a healthcare provider.  In more ways than one it is a very expensive condition that warrants guidance from best evidence.  For this particular guideline, over 2500 research titles and abstracts were reviewed with only 10 previously published guidelines being included due to quality.  The recommendations are as follows.

 

For Acute LBP (i.e. LBP that started suddenly or has only been present for a few days or weeks), or Chronic LBP (i.e. LBP that persists beyond 3 months), all 10 guidelines recommended:

 

1.    Advice, reassurance or education with evidence-based information regarding the expected course of recovery and effective self-care options (e.g. ice or heat for pain, short-term rest, medication).  With respect to course of recovery, most cases of LBP improve much or completely within six weeks of onset, with a slower rate of improvement noted beyond six weeks if it persists.  Recovery is also affected by risk factors such as job demands, sedentary lifestyle, body weight, age, and smoking.

 

2.    Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or NSAIDs (e.g. Advil) if indicated, with advice and consideration of risks and warning signs and symptoms.

 

For Acute LBP only, all guidelines encouraged an early return to activity, staying active, and the avoidance of prolonged bed rest.  A short course of muscle relaxants alone or in addition to NSAIDs if acetaminophen or NSAIDs did not reduce pain was also an option.  Spinal manipulation (i.e. spinal joint "adjustment") was also advised for those not improving with self-care methods.  Also, in rare cases when the pain is severe and unmanageable, short-term use of opioids was mostly recommended as long term use is associated with significant risk, something we have all become increasingly aware of due to the amount of media coverage on the topic.

 

For the management of Chronic LBP, other interventions recommended by all guidelines were exercise or yoga (for up to 12 weeks), manual therapy (i.e. spinal manipulation or mobilization) for up to 12 weeks, and extensive rehabilitation with both physical and psychological components over 8 weeks.  If acetaminophen or NSAIDs have not provided adequate pain relief, short-term use of opiods was also recommended taking into consideration side-effects, risks, and evidence of ongoing pain relief on re-assessment.  Massage, acupuncture, and antidepressant medication was also recommended by most guidelines.

 

Some interventions for Chronic LBP were also NOT recommended by most guidelines.  This does not mean these treatments don't provide relief, just that the supporting evidence isn't strong enough to warrant a recommendation.  This included the use of muscle relaxants, gabapentin (a medication for nerve-based pain), and passive electrotherapeutic modalities including TENS, laser, IFC, or ultrasound.

 

A key thing to remember with all of these interventions is that there are options and patient preference is an important consideration.  Some people want to avoid medications at all costs and others have no interest in having their low back manipulated.  For chronic LBP, results are often better with the inclusion of a more active component of treatment (e.g. exercise) but many patients admit that they will not comply with a regular program.  Thankfully the passive approaches still have value.

 

This article is for general information purposes only and is not to be taken as professional medical advice.

 

 

The Pain Drain

Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA)

Back pain, neck pain and headaches: these three common pain conditions affect millions of Canadians every day, draining our energy and ability to function at normal levels. Sometimes pain may be the result of chronic underlying medical conditions, and requires a health professional’s care. But in many cases, you can help manage energy-draining pain by taking a few simple steps in your daily life.

 

 

Powerful Posture

If you could do just one thing to reduce the aches you may experience daily, it would be to improve your posture both when standing and seated. Strengthening your core muscles will help support your spine and minimize the physical stresses and strains that create back, neck and shoulder pain.

 

Soothing Sleep

Many of us get less than seven hours of sleep each weeknight, but sleep provides vital rejuvenation for sore muscles and joints. If you are not getting enough restful sleep, look at two things: your mattress and your sleep position.

• A good mattress supports the natural contours of the body, letting your muscles and joints fully relax.
• Sleep on your back or side. If you sleep on your side, put a pillow between your knees. If you’re on your back, place it under your knees. Better sleep positioning with the help of pillow support can ease pain by easing pressure on your spine.

Exercise

• Exercise can help ease many types of pain, from arthritis to low back pain. A pain-reduction exercise program should include both flexibility and strength training. The stronger and more flexible you are, the better your body can distribute the physical forces of movement and prevent painful imbalances. And of course, exercising regularly may help you reduce body weight, which can significantly decrease pain – particularly in the joints of your hip, knee, and ankle, and in your lower back.

Stress

• Stress and pain are often closely linked. Each one can have an impact on the other, creating a vicious cycle that sets the stage for chronic pain and chronic stress. Managing stress can lead to pain relief. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, guided imagery and meditation can teach your body to relax and decrease stress levels.
• These tips may not completely eliminate pain from your life — but try them for a few weeks, and you’ll likely feel less discomfort. Recurrent pain can affect your quality of life, but learning how to cope with it can help you manage its harmful impact. A chiropractor can diagnose the causes of your pain and develop a treatment plan to reduce your “pain drain” and get you moving again.

Acupuncture Confirmed Helpful for Chronic Pain
By Dr. Mercola

Story at-a-glance

• A recent analysis of the most robust studies available concluded that acupuncture has a clear effect in reducing chronic pain, more so than standard pain treatment
• Study participants receiving acupuncture reported an average 50 percent reduction in pain, compared to a 28 percent pain reduction for standard pain treatment without acupuncture
• Other treatment modalities for pain include massage, chiropractic, energy psychology tools, and neuro-structural integration technique (NST)
• Alternatives to over-the-counter and prescription pain medications include astaxanthin, ginger, curcumin, boswellia, cayenne cream, bromelaine, Cetyl Myristoleate, and evening primrose, black currant, and borage oils

Read the full article here:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/09/29/acupuncture-reduces-chronic-pain.aspx

For more information on Medical Acupuncture offered at the New Hamburg Wellness Centre, visit our website:  http://nhwc.ca/so_acupuncture.html