Reduce Inflammation Naturally and Reclaim Your Health
Inflammation plays a vital role in the body’s healing process. It’s your immune system’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, bringing blood flow and immune cells to the affected area to support recovery. In the short term, inflammation is helpful. But when it becomes chronic, it can contribute to a wide range of health problems.
At McAuley Family Chiropractic, we’ve helped many people in the Federal Way area find relief from the effects of inflammation, especially when it’s tied to chronic pain, poor posture, or spinal misalignment. Chiropractic care doesn’t just address symptoms - it helps the body heal more efficiently by supporting the nervous system and reducing sources of internal stress.
Let’s take a closer look at the difference between acute and chronic inflammation, and how chiropractic adjustments can support your body’s natural healing process.
Understanding Inflammation: Helpful vs. Harmful
Inflammation is your body’s first line of defense. When you sprain your ankle or catch a cold, your immune system sends white blood cells and other compounds—like cytokines—to fight off invaders and start the repair process. This kind of acute inflammation is a short-term, necessary response. It causes redness, swelling, and warmth, and usually resolves with time and treatment.
Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is a different story. This occurs when the body continues to send inflammatory signals even when there’s no threat to address. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage tissues and contribute to conditions like:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
- Chronic back or joint pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Autoimmune disorders
It’s also influenced by lifestyle factors such as poor diet, stress, lack of exercise, and inadequate sleep—all of which place additional strain on the nervous and immune systems.
How Chiropractic Care Can Reduce Inflammation
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring spinal alignment and improving the function of the nervous system. When the spine is misaligned, what we call a subluxation, it can interfere with nerve communication, disrupt muscle function, and trigger an exaggerated inflammatory response.
Here’s how chiropractic care can help address inflammation:
1. Improves Nervous System Function
The spine protects your spinal cord, which is the main communication channel between your brain and body. When vertebrae are out of alignment, it can irritate nerves and signal the body to enter a constant state of stress and inflammation. Spinal adjustments relieve pressure on those nerves, supporting a more balanced and efficient nervous system.
2. Helps Regulate Inflammatory Chemicals
Research suggests that chiropractic adjustments can influence the body’s production of inflammatory markers, like cytokines and neuropeptides. When the spine is functioning properly, the body is less likely to overproduce these compounds, which may help reduce systemic inflammation and promote healing.
3. Reduces Muscle and Joint Tension
Tight muscles and restricted joints can create localized inflammation, especially in the neck, back, and shoulders. Chiropractic adjustments, along with soft tissue therapy, can release tension, improve circulation, and help your body process inflammation more efficiently.
4. Supports Better Mobility and Posture
Poor posture, especially from sitting for long periods places uneven stress on the body, leading to irritation and inflammation in key joints. Chiropractic care helps correct postural imbalances and improves joint motion, which can ease inflammation in the spine and surrounding tissues.
Lifestyle Support for Inflammation Management
At McAuley Family Chiropractic, our care doesn’t stop at the adjustment table. We work with patients to develop personalized plans that include lifestyle changes proven to reduce inflammation:
Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition
What you eat plays a major role in inflammation. We often guide patients toward a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory nutrients like omega-3s, vitamin D, and magnesium.
Movement and Exercise
Regular physical activity helps regulate the immune system and reduce chronic inflammation. Whether it’s walking, stretching, or strength training, we can help you choose safe exercises that fit your body and support recovery.
Stress Reduction Techniques
Chronic stress keeps the body in a constant fight-or-flight state, which fuels inflammation. We offer guidance on mindfulness, breathing exercises, and other stress-reducing practices that support nervous system health.
Sleep and Recovery
Sleep is when your body does most of its repair work. Poor sleep quality increases inflammatory markers and delays healing. We offer tips on sleep posture, sleep routines, and other strategies to help you rest more deeply and recover more fully.
Conditions That May Improve with Chiropractic Support
Many inflammatory conditions respond well to chiropractic care, especially when paired with consistent lifestyle changes. Some of the most common issues we see include:
- Chronic low back pain
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Joint inflammation (including shoulders, knees, and hips)
- Autoimmune-related inflammation
- Post-injury inflammation that isn’t resolving
- Pain flares triggered by stress or fatigue
If you’re living with one of these conditions, addressing spinal alignment and nervous system function can be a valuable part of your healing plan.
Take the First Step Toward Less Inflammation
You don’t have to live with chronic inflammation, pain, or fatigue. At McAuley Family Chiropractic, we take a whole-body approach to help you heal naturally, feel stronger, and live more comfortably.
Book your free consultation today, and let’s talk about how chiropractic care can support your body’s ability to reduce inflammation and feel its best.
