6 signs of Chronic Inflammation
You’re not sick but you just feel a bit off. You’ve last your usual spark. You feel sluggish, tired, and achey. You might be suffering from chronic inflammation-a condition that affects millions worldwide. Because it develops gradually it can be hard to recognise at first. The good news is that it’s entirely treatable and preventable with a few treatment protocols and lifestyle changes.
What is Chronic Inflammation?
Chronic inflammation is long term activation of the body’s inflammatory response. Inflammation in the short term is a natural part of the body’s innate healing process-it helps repair damage, infection or injury. The difference with chronic inflammation is that this process can continue even when there’s no apparent issue. Similar to autoimmune disease it’s a malfunction of the body’s own healing process.
Six Signs of Chronic Inflammation
Fatigue: chronic fatigue that’s doesn’t resolve with rest or exercise.
Weight fluctuations: unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Body aches and pains: joint pain, muscle tension and stiffness
Digestive symptoms: can include bloating, constipation, indigestion, diarrhoea, reflux & heartburn
Recurring infections: sinus infections, head colds, tonsillitis etc
Depression & Anxiety: fluctuations or symptoms of irregular mood.
A Chinese Medicine approach to reducing Chronic Inflammation
Dietary Adjustments
Good health begins in the gut. The body’s capacity to defend itself and heal is dependent on healthy gut function. Increase your intake of warm, well cooked foods-particularly bone broth, fatty fish, grass fed beef, organic eggs. Cut back on alcohol, sugar, caffeine, processed foods, refined flours and grains.
Mindfulness
A regulated nervous system is critical to a healthy immune system. If you’ve been chronically stressed consider mindfulness as a useful tool to slow down, become aware, and relax. Mindfulness is the foundation of a whole host of meditative practices such as meditation, yoga, qi gong. The beauty of mindfulness is that it can be practiced anywhere, and at any time. Simply be mindful of breath, thoughts, feelings, and the body as it moves.
Improved Sleep
7-9 hours of deep, restful sleep is what most people need. Lack of sleep or disrupted sleep interferes with many of the healing processes that occur at night, including hormone regulation. Stress hormones like cortisol can be easily disrupted by continued poor sleep. Aim to be in bed by 9pm and avoid screen time for 1-2 hours before bed.
Move and Breathe
Exercise and diaphragmatic breathing give your body a boost to vitality and circulation. They improve feel good hormones such as endorphins and are great mood enhancers and regulator.
An Individualised Approach
If you’re experiencing any or all of the symptoms of chronic inflammation and have tried almost everything but still don’t feel quite yourself, you don’t have to do this alone. I work with clients using a holistic, Chinese Medicine-based approach to uncover the root causes of chronic inflammation and guide gentle, sustainable lifestyle shifts that restore balance and energy. Together, we look at a treatment plan that includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet, sleep, stress, and movement to create a plan that’s realistic, supportive, and tailored to your life.
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