Introduction

The immune system is crucial in protecting the body from foreign pathogens that cause inflammation in the affected area. Cytokines produce inflammation in the body to fight off infections or bacteria. However, inflammation can be beneficial or harmful, depending on the severity of the affected area. Acute inflammation is a natural healing process that causes redness, swelling, and heat in the affected area, and it usually resolves within a few days. In contrast, chronic inflammation causes pain and damages healthy tissues, mistaking them for foreign invaders. Environmental factors can trigger chronic inflammation, leading to muscle and joint pain and other chronic conditions. Fortunately, an anti-inflammatory diet combined with soft tissue therapy can help reduce the effects of chronic inflammation. Our article today discusses how these diets work and how they can be combined with MET therapy to restore the body. We utilize and incorporate valuable information about our patients to certified medical providers using MET therapy to relieve chronic inflammation associated with the musculoskeletal system through dieting. We encourage and refer patients to associated medical providers based on their findings while supporting that education is a remarkable and fantastic way to ask our providers the essential questions at the patient’s acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., comprises this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

What Are Anti-Inflammatory Diets?

 

Are you experiencing inflammation in your muscles, joints, or vital organs? Do you feel musculoskeletal pain or have uncertain symptoms after eating certain foods? Chronic stress, obesity, autoimmune disorders, and abdominal pain can cause chronic inflammation. These conditions may be caused by environmental factors leading to chronic inflammation. Research shows that certain dietary components can contribute to inflammation, which can be beneficial and harmful. While additional research studies reveal that incorporating lean meats, omega-3s, antioxidants, fruits, and vegetables can help minimize inflammasome activation and its negative effects on the muscles, joints, and vital organs to reduce chronic inflammation.

 

How Anti-Inflammatory Diets Help The Body?

Did you know that adopting an anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce the effects of chronic inflammation in the body? Research studies reveal that lowering the intake of pro-inflammatory foods and increasing the consumption of unsaturated fats, fruits, and vegetables can effectively combat inflammation. While inflammation is a natural defense mechanism, excessive production of inflammatory cytokines can lead to chronic conditions. However, combining an anti-inflammatory diet with exercise or physical therapy can help reduce these cytokines and identify the underlying causes of inflammation. By consuming specific foods and vitamins, an individual can effectively reduce the progression of inflammation and prevent further damage to the body.

 

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Understanding Inflammation- Video

Are you experiencing muscle or joint pain, tenderness, or redness in certain body areas? Do you notice that certain foods cause issues with your organs? These symptoms may be caused by inflammation affecting your body. Inflammation is a natural immune system response that releases cytokines to affected areas. When cytokines are released onto healthy tissue can lead to aggravating issues such as autoimmune disorders and chronic pain. However, there is hope. You can understand the root cause of inflammation and reduce its effects on your body. The video above provides an excellent overview of how environmental factors can cause inflammatory impacts on the body and how whole-nutritional foods and vitamins with antioxidants can help reduce pain associated with inflammation.

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Anti-Inflammatory Diets & MET Therapy

 

According to “Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques” by Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T. and Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., inflammation can be a normal part of healing. Still, if left untreated, it can cause soft tissue injuries. Muscle energy techniques (MET) can help reduce inflammation by stretching soft tissues, improving joint mobility, and draining the lymphatic system. Combining MET with an anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce inflammation and heal the body naturally. Here are some diets to consider merging with MET.

 

The Exclusion Diet

The exclusion diet is a way to identify which foods are causing negative symptoms in the body. By listing foods that cause allergic or inflammatory reactions, the doctor can create a personalized dietary plan for the patient, excluding these problem foods. After at least 3-4 weeks of avoiding these foods, reintroduce them to see if symptoms return. If they do, remove the food from the diet. This anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce muscle and joint pain associated with inflammation and is effective for many people with food sensitivities/allergies.

 

The Oligoantigenic Diet

The oligoantigenic diet is an anti-inflammatory diet involving whole foods rich in vitamins and minerals to reduce inflammation in individuals with severe food allergies. This diet allows the person to identify which foods are causing inflammation by removing them from their diet for a few weeks and then reintroducing them one at a time. If the symptoms return, the food can be eliminated from the diet.

 

Conclusion

Inflammation is a double-edged sword as it can have beneficial and harmful effects on the body depending on environmental factors and can result in musculoskeletal pain. Nevertheless, one can aid the body’s natural recovery process by consuming whole foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties and undergoing therapies that can alleviate the effects of inflammation in the musculoskeletal system. By adopting these approaches, individuals can eliminate foods and other environmental factors that may trigger chronic inflammation, enhancing their quality of life.

 

References

Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Dragan, Simona, et al. “Dietary Patterns and Interventions to Alleviate Chronic Pain.” Nutrients, 19 Aug. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7551034/.

Kiecolt-Glaser, Janice K. “Stress, Food, and Inflammation: Psychoneuroimmunology and Nutrition at The Cutting Edge.” Psychosomatic Medicine, May 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2868080/.

Sears, Barry, and Asish K Saha. “Dietary Control of Inflammation and Resolution.” Frontiers in Nutrition, 10 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8382877/.

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