Inflammation is the bodies response to aliments and injuries. Its function is to limit activities and allow the body to heal itself.
The medical definition of inflammation is : a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.
This natural process of healing is the bodies ability to recover and reach pre-jury status. Besides therapy i.e ( chiropractic, soft tissue work or stretching ) we should be able to control inflammation by making sure we are smart about eating foods that won't cause our bodies further distress.
Here is a guide to recognizing inflammatory situations:
- Sub acute: comes and goes. Yet if untreated will be chronic ( shoulder muscles are tight, tight hamstrings, achy low back, tight calf's )
- Acute: Immediate Injury ( fall, banged a body part, strained a muscle lifting something, turning over in bed, car accident ) These a few examples of life causing disease.
- Chronic: Pain with motion of joint or body region. Due to prolonged Sub-acute and chronic inflammations greater than 2 weeks.
Inflammation is most present ( depending upon the severity of initial trauma ) 1 - 10 days post injury. What we can do when it happens and during the 10 day window can have a huge outcome on our rode to recovery.
To begin with:
Follow the RICE principle:
- Rest
- Ice ( 8 min on, 2 min off. perform 3 x )
- Compression ( ACE bandage )
- Elevation
Then be purposeful in your eating habits to make sure that you'll be on the rode to recovery. Below are some items you should be eating to help you recover faster:
Foods
Blueberries, Raspberries,Leafy greens, ginger, grapes, peppers, Green tea
Spices
Thyme, basil, rosemary, black pepper, turmeric, cinnamon
Vitamins
Omega 3, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Bromelain, Selenium
As you can see besides the typical over the counter medicines if you add in the foods , spices and supplements you will be able to get twice the benefit and a faster recovery to heal your body. So if you follow the above information you'll be closer to getting better.
Next Level Fitness is a small private fitness facility in Oakland, CA. It is located in the Grand Lake area of Oakland. Next Level Fitness provides chiropractic, personal training and small group training services to these areas of Oakland 94610, 94611, 94602. We cater to "Every-Body" but specialize in fitness services for adults 30(+).
