Injury & Inflammation
Extensive functional assessment for chronic pain and inflammation conditions using precision medicine, hyperbarics, and integrative therapies.
Comprehensive Care for Body Injuries and Inflammation
Injuries to the body have certain warning signs and symptoms. When the body knows it is injured, it sends extra cells to the injury site. Swelling in response to an injury is the standard response of the body — the extra fluid is present to locate and remove injured cells and to jump-start the healing process.
If a person injured themselves or had an infection and the swelling response didn't happen, the body would not be able to heal any damaged tissues without that inflammatory response. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, it requires professional medical intervention.
5 Classic Signs of Inflammation
Heat
The injured area feels warm to the touch due to increased blood flow.
Pain
Nerve endings signal damage, alerting you to protect the area.
Redness
Increased blood flow causes visible redness around the injury site.
Swelling
Extra fluid floods the area to deliver healing cells and remove damaged tissue.
Loss of Function
The injured body part cannot perform normally (e.g., inability to bear weight on an injured ankle).
Swelling & Edema
There are several types of swelling, each indicating different levels of injury and requiring specific approaches to management.
Edema
Fluid or swelling of blood or other fluid outside of the joint capsule. Common in soft tissue injuries.
Effusion
Fluid that is actually inside the joint capsule. Indicates irritation or damage within the joint itself.
Hemarthrosis
Presence of blood in the effusion within the joint capsule. Usually signifies damage to a ligament (like an ACL tear) or a fracture.
Acute Swelling
Swelling that happens within the first 24 hours following an injury. Represents the body's immediate protective response.
Chronic Swelling
Happens gradually over time. A runner may notice knee swelling following workouts — this type of inflammation is considered chronic.
The Inflammatory Response
When a body part is injured, the body responds with an amazing engineering process in three distinct phases to heal and repair damaged tissue.
Phase 1: Vascular Response
Vasoactive substances (histamine, bradykinin, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, nitric oxide) reach the injury site by passing through blood vessel walls.
Phase 2: Phagocytic Healing
Phagocytic cells ride the chemotactic current to the injury site and begin cleaning up damaged cells, which will gradually be replaced with healthy new ones.
Phase 3: Tissue Repair
The actual repairing of tissues begins. The immune system floods the area with white blood cells to test for invading microbes and start the healing process.
Management Options
Natural Balance Wellness Medical Center offers a comprehensive range of management options for injury and inflammation.
Precision Medicine
Advanced diagnostics and personalized protocols targeting the root cause of chronic inflammation.
Functional & Integrative Medicine
Whole-body approach addressing underlying triggers of persistent inflammation and pain.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Pressurized oxygen delivery to accelerate tissue healing and reduce inflammation at the cellular level.
Acupuncture
Traditional technique stimulating specific points to reduce pain, improve circulation, and support healing.
Wearable Therapy®
Advanced wearable technology delivering therapeutic benefits for ongoing pain and inflammation management.
We Are Here to Help You!
For a personalized assessment and management plan unique to you and your needs, get in touch with our team today.