There Is Nothing 'Acute About Chronic Inflammation
Acute inflammation is a short-term process that typically develops within a few minutes or hours of an injury. The main causes of acute inflammation are pathogens and injury. It is characterized by five cardinal signs: redness, heat, swelling, pain and loss of function.
The redness and heat are due to increased blood flow to the injured site. The accumulation of fluid causes swelling. Pain is due to the release of chemicals that stimulate nerve endings. Loss of function has multiple causes. Acute inflammation often stops when the injurious stimulus is removed or resolved.
Chronic inflammation is different. It can be caused by non-degradable pathogens or foreign bodies that aren’t removed during the acute inflammatory response. A persistent unresolved strain can also cause chronic inflammation. It is this persistent strain that correlates most with a vertebral subluxation.
A vertebral subluxation occurs when a bone of the spine locks in a misaligned position and obstructs nerve transmission. This can lead to an imbalance in the muscles of the spine, causing them to strain. Persistent muscle strain caused by a vertebral subluxation leads to a shift in the inflammatory response.
The shift is characterized by the increased production of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are cells that help form and maintain connective tissue. Fibroblasts mainly produce fibrinogen and collagen. Excessive collagen and fibrinogen production leads to fibrosis, which is the formation of scar tissue.
While scar tissue is part of the normal healing process, it can be detrimental. Scar tissue reduces flexibility, increases adhesions and can trap nerves. This can weaken muscles, cause pain and lead to neurological dysfunction.
By adjusting a vertebral subluxation, Chiropractic helps improve the neuromechanics of the spine. This creates ease in the muscles, which can help reset the inflammatory process. The body can shift away from a state of chronicity into a state of adaptability.
- Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP
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Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP is a pediatric, family wellness and upper cervical specific Chiropractor. He is an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Jarek has postgraduate certification in Pediatric Chiropractic through the ICPA. Dr. Jarek also has postgraduate certification in the HIO Specific Brain Stem technique through The TIC Institute. Dr. Jarek is happily married to his wife Regina. They live in Youngstown, Ohio with their daughter Ruby.
