Inflammation is your body’s built-in response to injury—whether it’s a sprained ankle, a pulled muscle, or even a paper cut. Think of it as a small “fire” your body sets to help you heal. This healing response does three key things:
- Stops damage from spreading.
- Clears out dead cells and germs.
- Gets the repair process rolling so you can return to normal.
Signs to Look For
When inflammation shows up, you’ll notice classic signs like redness (thanks to extra blood flow), warmth, swelling, pain, and sometimes, trouble using the injured area (like limping or stiffness).
“These signs pop up because your body releases chemical messengers—like histamine and prostaglandins—that sound the alarm and get healing started,” says Dr. Bob Apol.
Inflammation: Friend, Not Foe
Inflammation often gets a bad rap, but it’s not the enemy. In fact, it’s how your body repairs itself. Special cells called fibroblasts move in to rebuild damaged tissue—whether it’s muscles, tendons, or ligaments. When inflammation runs its full course, you heal stronger. But if it’s interrupted too early (by accident or by habit), the healing process stalls, leaving you vulnerable to lingering pain or incomplete recovery.
When Healing Gets Stuck
As we get older—especially past age 40—healing sometimes struggles to finish. Inflammation might get stuck halfway, leading to what you could think of as a “repair backlog.” Even if you don’t feel it right away, this can turn into chronic pain, stiffness, or weakness down the road. “The goal isn’t to block inflammation but to let it do its work,” emphasizes Dr. Bob.
Why What You Eat Matters More Than You Think
Here’s the part many people miss: the food you eat can either help or make inflammation worse. A typical modern diet—about 60% for most people—is loaded with sugar, white flour, and refined oils like corn or soybean oil. These are packed with omega-6 fats, which your body turns into inflammation-producing chemicals.
When you pile on fat-laden meats and dairy, you’re essentially eating extra inflammation at every meal. It’s no wonder the body struggles to heal. Giving your body the right fuel helps inflammation do its job the way it’s meant to.
Ready to Feel Better and Heal Better?
Contact Apol Chiropractic today to discover how we can help you not just feel better temporarily but heal completely and maintain optimal health for years to come.
CONTACT US