Regenerative Medicine
Diagnosis & Understanding
2. PRP Injection
1:42
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
Alternative & Emerging Therapies
1. Shockwave Therapy (MSK)
2:03
2. Laser Therapy
2:05
3. Ozone Therapy
1:37
Lumbar Basivertebral Nerve (Vertebral Body or Disc)
Diagnosis & Understanding
1. Degenerative Disc Disease
2:06
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
1. Basivertebral Nerve Ablation
1:36
2. Intradiscal Fibrin Injection
1:53
Alternative & Emerging Therapies
2. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
Low back or Lumbar Pain
Diagnosis & Understanding
1. Herniated Disc
1:58
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
Alternative & Emerging Therapies
1. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
2. PRP Injection
1:42
4. MFAT
2:04
5. Shockwave Therapy (MSK)
2:03
6. Laser Therapy
2:05
7. Ozone Therapy
1:37
Headaches
Diagnosis & Understanding
1. Migraine
2:04
2. Tension Headache
1:50
3. Cluster Headache
1:53
4. Occipital Neuralgia
2:02
5. Trigeminal Neuralgia
1:35
6. Neck Pain
1:55
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
4. Acupuncture
2:13
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
2. Botox (Migraines/Dystonia)
2:07
3. Sphenopalatine Block
1:47
6. Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
1:41
Alternative & Emerging Therapies
1. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
2. PRP Injection
1:42
3. Shockwave Therapy (MSK)
2:03
4. Laser Therapy
2:05
5. Ozone Therapy
1:37
Robert Moghim MD
Anchor Healthcare
The Role of Inflammation in Chronic Pain
1746883775
Inflammation plays a key role in both acute and chronic pain. While it is a natural part of the body’s healing process, prolonged or excessive inflammation can contribute to ongoing pain and dysfunction. Understanding its role can help guide better treatment options. In acute pain, inflammation is a short-term response to injury or illness. The immune system releases chemicals that increase blood flow, causing swelling, redness, and pain to promote healing. As the injury heals, inflammation naturally subsides, and pain improves. In chronic pain, inflammation may persist even after the original injury has healed. This prolonged inflammation can lead to nerve irritation, joint damage, and increased pain sensitivity, making conditions like arthritis, neuropathy, and back pain worse. Research shows that chronic inflammation can also contribute to central sensitization, where the nervous system amplifies pain signals over time. Managing chronic inflammation is key to long-term pain relief. Treatments like anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, diet changes, and regenerative medicine therapies (such as PRP or stem cell injections) can help reduce inflammation at its source. For nerve-related pain, interventional treatments like spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) can help regulate pain signaling.
FAQs
How does chronic inflammation contribute to chronic pain conditions?
Chronic inflammation can lead to nerve irritation, joint damage, and increased pain sensitivity. It is known to worsen conditions like arthritis and neuropathy. Additionally, chronic inflammation can cause central sensitization, where the nervous system begins to amplify pain signals, making pain more pervasive and severe over time.
What are some common treatments for managing chronic inflammation and related pain?
Common treatments for managing chronic inflammation include the use of anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, such as diet modifications. Regenerative medicine therapies, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cell injections, can also be effective. For nerve-related chronic pain, treatments like spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) can help alleviate pain.
What is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation in terms of pain?
Acute inflammation is the body's short-term response to injury or illness, characterized by increased blood flow and chemicals that cause swelling and redness to promote healing. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, persists long after the initial injury has healed, leading to prolonged pain and conditions such as arthritis, neuropathy, and increased pain sensitivity.
What role does central sensitization play in chronic pain and inflammation?
Central sensitization refers to the phenomenon where the nervous system amplifies pain signals over time due to persistent inflammation. This makes individuals more sensitive to pain stimuli and can turn even mild pain into a more severe, persistent problem. Addressing central sensitization is a key component of treating chronic pain effectively.
Why is it important to manage chronic inflammation for pain relief?
Managing chronic inflammation is crucial for long-term pain relief because prolonged inflammation can lead to ongoing pain and dysfunction, worsening conditions like arthritis and neuropathy. By reducing inflammation, it is possible to alleviate pain, prevent additional nerve damage, and improve overall quality of life.