Can Physiotherapy Reduce Inflammation?

Yes, physiotherapy can help reduce inflammation through exercise, a well-balanced nutritious diet, and lifestyle modifications. Physiotherapists detect and treat the underlying cause of inflammation, not just the symptoms, providing long-term recovery. While inflammation is our body’s natural healing process, leaving it untreated can cause swelling, pain and limited mobility. This blog discusses the role of physiotherapy in inflammation reduction, revealing its effects on your overall health and lifestyle. 

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to protect itself from harm, whether it is germs, infections or any other foreign substances. The primary goal of inflammation is to flush out damaged cells and tissues while promoting tissue repair. This natural protective measure can become a health challenge if you don’t manage the symptoms early leading to joint pain and muscle stiffness. 

What are the types of inflammation?

Which Injuries Cause Inflammation?

It is crucial to understand the common triggers that can cause inflammation so you can prevent it or take the right steps in the first place. While any physical injury or trauma to your body can result in inflammation, here are the most common injuries we have treated at our clinic. 

• Sprains and strains (Injuries to ligaments and muscles)
• Fractures
• Repetitive strain injuries (overuse of muscles, tendons and joints)
• ACL injuries

Other factors that contribute to chronic inflammation

• Stress levels
• Weight gain/Obesity 
• Lifestyle habits, including smoking or sedentary habits
• Constant exposure to allergens 
• Poor dietary choices 
• Hormonal imbalances
• Poor sleep quality

The inflammatory response is a natural part of your body’s healing process. However, prolonged inflammation can cause problems. You should seek medical attention if you are in pain or lack optimum mobility/functional strength. 

How Does Physiotherapy Help Reduce Inflammation?

Physiotherapy aids inflammation reduction in four ways:

Patient Education

Physiotherapists help you understand the condition and what causes it. Informed patients make better decisions, maintain treatment plans consistently and heal faster. You feel less anxiety before the sessions since you already would have an idea about the treatments and their impacts. 

Inflammation-Relieving Exercises

Note: Exercises can both cause and reduce inflammation. So, it is important to consult a licensed physical therapist who can guide you through the right exercises so you don’t hurt yourself. 

Low-impact moderate exercises typically form the basis of an inflammation reduction treatment plan. The goal is to release stress on joints while restoring muscle strength and reducing inflammation. 

Your physiotherapist may ask you to perform low-intensity basic activities at home for a certain time period, such as walkin,g cycling or swimming. Incorporating these general exercises into your daily routine can help manage inflammation symptoms and improve your well-being. 

Lifestyle Modifications

Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking or working out regularly play an integral role in reducing inflammation. Besides regular exercise, here are the other healthy habits that can reduce inflammation. 

Dietary changes

A physiotherapist or nutritionist can provide you with an anti-inflammatory diet which contributes to a significant reduction in inflammation symptoms.  and an anti-inflammatory diet consists of but is not limited to:

Stress management

Stress triggers the natural protective response of your body, causing or contributing to inflammation. The impact of stress is not localised to a particular area but can affect other systems located far from the injured area. 

Physiotherapists can help reduce stress through deep breathing exercises, manual therapy breathing exercises, and posture training.  Stress management techniques not only reduce inflammation but also relieve muscle pain, correct posture and promote relaxation. 

Sleep quality

Sleep and information influence each other significantly. While a lack of sleep can increase inflammation, enough quality sleep helps maintain a healthy inflammatory response. 

Physiotherapy promotes regular physical activity, which can improve overall sleep quality. For example, tailored exercise programs can help individuals achieve a certain level of activity, leading to better sleep. Techniques like massage therapy and soft tissue release therapy can do both- reduce inflammation and improve sleep quality. 

Weight management 

Research suggests that excess weight, particularly obesity, has a clear link with increased inflammation in the body. The chronic inflammation can further contribute to metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. 

So, physiotherapists help maintain a stable weight by promoting an active lifestyle wherein you actively participate in your own recovery process. They can educate you on proper movements or guide you through consistent exercises so you can achieve a healthy weight. 

What Are the Physiotherapy Treatments To Reduce Inflammation?

Physiotherapy treatments are typically tailored to meet the individual health goals of every patient. The following treatments are just an example of what you can expect at your physiotherapy clinic. The professionals, however, personalize the treatment plan based on the severity of your inflammation, its cause, your lifestyle, medical history and other factors. So, let’s take a look at the common physio techniques that help manage inflammation.

Exercise therapy 

Low-impact gentle exercises improve blood circulation and reduce muscle stiffness, minimising inflammatory effects. Specific exercises strengthen supporting muscles, relieving stress on the inflamed joints. 

Cold therapy

This is usually the most effective treatment for acute inflammation.  The physiotherapist applies cold packs for 15 minutes every 3-4 hours on the affected area. 

Electrotherapy 

Some physiotherapy clinics provide advanced treatment such as ultrasound therapy and TENS to reduce inflammation-related symptoms. 

Physiotherapy doesn’t follow the one-size-fits-all approach, which means every treatment plan is unique to the patient.  It is important to consult experienced professionals before adopting any lifestyle modification for a smooth and safe recovery journey. 

When should you see a physio for inflammation reduction?

Look out for the following signs before booking your appointment with the therapist. 

• Persistent pain and swelling: If pain and swelling last for more than a few days and don’t improve with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Restricted movement: If inflammation is limiting your ability to move a joint or body part.
• Chronic conditions: If you have conditions like arthritis, tendinitis, or bursitis, which involve chronic inflammation.
• Sports injuries: If you’ve experienced a sports injury involving inflammation, such as a sprain or strain.
• Post-surgical inflammation: To manage inflammation and promote healing after surgery.  
• Recurring inflammation: If you experience frequent episodes of inflammation in the same area.

A physiotherapist can accurately assess your condition and give you a comprehensive treatment for inflammation. Look for licensed professionals like the ones at Physiotherapy First who have experience reducing inflammation through osteoarthritis treatments in Brampton. They identify the underlying cause of inflammation and develop a personalized treatment plan to reduce pain and swelling, and improve function.

sid@easydigi.ca

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