
Chronic inflammation plays a central role in some of the most challenging diseases of our time, including rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and even Alzheimer’s.
Chronic inflammation can develop in any of several ways. One possibility is that the threat remains because the body can’t rid itself of the offending substance, be it an infectious organism, an irritant, or a chemical toxin. The immune system is pretty good at eliminating invaders, but sometimes pathogens resist even our best defenses and hide out in tissues, provoking the inflammatory response again and again.
Another possible scenario is that the immune system goes into "threat mode" when no true threat exists. In an autoimmune disorder, the immune system seems to become overly sensitized to the body’s own healthy cells and tissue. It reacts against the joints, intestines, or other organs and tissues as if they were dangerous. As the inflammatory response continues, it damages the body instead of healing it.
Unhealthful lifestyle choices, too, can cause ongoing inflammation. Smoking, being sedentary, or eating a diet high in processed foods and refined carbohydrates can contribute to chronic inflammation. This ongoing inflammation increases the risk of many diseases—including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation
The signs of chronic inflammation are not as obvious as those of acute inflammation. No sharp twinge of pain as when you cut yourself, no swelling or redness will you see to alert you to a problem. Chronic inflammation can be widespread or more localized to specific areas of the body. Some of the symptoms associated with chronic inflammation include:
fatigue and lack of energy
depression, anxiety
muscle aches and joint pain or any pain lasting longer than 6 weeks
constipation, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal complaints
changes in weight or appetite
headaches
a "fuzzy" mental state (brain fog).
Acupuncture treats chronic inflammation
Acupuncture triggers your body’s innate healing mechanisms. We treat inflammation every day with Acupuncture and Herbal Prescriptions.
We know it might sound counterintuitive that Acupuncture and the insertion of tiny needles can relax and heal you, but it’s been effective for thousands of years.
Dr. Anne has successfully treated all of the symptoms listed above in addition to many more. And treating your inflammation now will help you avoid the more severe conditions like heart disease, alzheimers, cancer, diabeties, arthritis, chronic pain, migraines, asthma, IBS, IBD (Acupuncture can also help treat those conditions with the exception of cancer, it can help side effects from radiation and chemo, though.) Make an appointment with Dr. Anne today and start living your happiest, healthiest life.