March 20, 2023
Are you experiencing foot arch pain? You’re not alone.
The arches of our feet support our weight when we're upright, providing a critical function for the body. Your arch also influences how you move, making it essential to keep them healthy and supported. But, sometimes, pain can creep up.
We're here to help. This blog post outlines how foot arch pain develops and how to nip foot arch discomfort early to prevent long-term effects.
What is foot arch pain?
Foot arch pain can be a subtle or intense discomfort in the curved, raised area along the bottom of the foot (the arch). The arch is the midpoint of the foot between the ball and the heel of the foot. It comprises bones, ligaments, and tendons in the foot, which support the body's weight and help absorb shock during walking and other activities.
A person's arch is unique. The height and shape of the arch vary from person to person. Genetics, age, and the type of shoes a person wears all play a role in the arch's shape. Foot arch pain is a common source of discomfort and may occur for various reasons. You may experience pain in different parts of the arch: the medial arch (inside edge), the lateral arch (outer edge), and the transverse arch (middle).
Next, we get into the causes of foot arch pain.
What causes foot arch pain?
Foot arch pain can be acute or chronic, typically stemming from inflammation. Pain can also range from a dull soreness to an intense sensation. Below, we outline the various causes of foot arch pain.
Overuse or repetitive stress
Foot arch pain can be simply the result of doing too much in too short a period. Repeated stress or overuse of the feet can lead to inflammation and pain in the arches. Overuse is especially prevalent in sports, with running, jumping, or even standing for long periods (like at work or if you stand at your desk while working from home).
Flat feet
Flat feet occur when the arch comes in complete contact with the ground due to weakened tendons and ligaments that can no longer hold up the arch. While flat feet may not always cause problems, individuals with fallen arches may require treatment such as supportive shoes or custom orthotics to alleviate symptoms and prevent further damage.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis affects the bottom of the foot and causes heel pain. This foot condition occurs when the band of tissue between your heel and toes becomes irritated. Plantar fasciitis can happen for various reasons, such as overuse, repetitive strain, or injury to the foot.
People who are overweight, have flat feet or high arches, or engage in activities that stress the feet, such as running or standing for long periods, are more likely to develop plantar fasciitis. You may experience pain and stiffness in the heel or arch of the foot, especially in the morning or after walking, running, or standing.
Arthritis
Arthritis describes conditions that cause inflammation and damage to the joints. Various forms of arthritis can lead to arch pain. Types of arthritis that cause arch pain include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Injury
You may experience foot arch pain because of past trauma or injury. Conditions like sprains, strains, or falls can cause arch pain due to acute muscle damage, ligament, and tendon damage.
Now that you know the various causes of arch pain, let's get into treatment methods.
How can foot arch pain be treated?
Foot arch pain treatment can sometimes be frustrating due to our reliance on our arch. Staying off our feet to reduce stress on the arch can be challenging, but fortunately, there are several effective treatment options for foot arch pain. Depending on the intensity of the pain, you may choose a DIY treatment method. If your arch pain is persistent or severe, we recommend seeing a foot specialist to discuss treatment options and create a treatment plan.
Rest and ice
A mix of rest and ice is an effective treatment method for foot arch pain. First, temporarily reduce impactful activities and allow your feet to rest. Supplement rest with icing to keep swelling and inflammation down. (You can even use a frozen water bottle as an icy massage tool by rolling your feet on the bottle.) Then, when you feel like you're on the upswing, ease slowly back into physical activity. Avoid returning to strenuous activity to allow your body to readjust from rest to being active.
Stretching
Stretching exercises can help improve flexibility and relieve tension in the arches. Here are a few effective stretching and strengthening exercises for arch pain:
Place a towel on the floor, and grab the towel with your toes pulling it towards you.
Grasp your toes (while seated), and scrunch them towards you to feel a stretch in your arch.
Lean against a wall with your arms extended, and move your hips forward to stretch your calves.
Shockwave Therapy
This non-invasive innovative treatment delivers high-energy sound wave pulses to the affected area. Shockwave therapy triggers your body’s natural healing response to repair the damaged tissue in the arch area and reduce pain. Shockwave therapy is scientifically proven to be a highly effective treatment for chronic arch pain caused by plantar fasciitis. It is an excellent supplement to other treatments like orthotics and supportive footwear.
Orthotics
Custom-made orthotics can provide additional support and cushioning to the arches, which can help reduce pain and discomfort. Orthotics work to correct or accommodate biomechanical abnormalities, foot deformities, and other conditions to improve your gait and manage pain. The purpose of orthotics is to redistribute the force and pressure placed on our muscles and joints when we move. Equal distribution across your feet means fewer aches and pains as your muscles work better in tandem instead of select groups overworking.
Supportive footwear
Shoes with good arch support can alleviate arch pain, much like orthotics can. Wearing the proper footwear for your feet and the purpose is the least we can do for our feet. Supportive footwear acts to provide both the correct cushioning and
Physical therapy
Physical therapy can help improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the feet and ankles. Keeping your feet strong and balanced is vital to proper arch support. Over time, the tendons and ligaments of the arch tend to weaken. Physical therapy can help combat age and fallen arches.
Medications
You may supplement the above treatment methods with over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce inflammation. Consult a doctor if you have intense pain or have questions about dosage or the recommended medication.
January 23, 2023
Have you ever noticed horizontal lines or grooves lengthwise across your nails? The nail abnormality is called Beau's lines. You may develop Beau's lines after trauma to the nail, or it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Today's blog article explores Beau's lines, potential causes, and treatment methods. Keep read to learn more about Beau's lines and how to keep your nails healthy and strong.
What are Beau's lines?
Beau's lines are a type of nail abnormality. They are indentations, grooves, or lines that run horizontally across the nails. The condition can affect any number of fingernails or toenails. Amongst your toenails, the big toe is the most common culprit. Curious as to why they're referred to as Beau's lines? French physician Joseph Honoré Simon Beau first discovered the condition, hence the name.
What causes Beau's lines on nails?
A temporary disruption in the growth of the nail matrix causes Beau's lines. They are symptoms of an underlying illness, medical, or skin condition. They appear when average nail growth is interrupted, and the blemishes appear due to irregular keratin (skin cells) development. Once you can identify and treat the underlying cause, normal nail growth may resume.
Identifying Beau's lines can be delayed because of the nail growth rate. Toenails grow at ~1.60 mm per month, so nail growth delays Beau's lines' arrival. The lines appear roughly 2-3 weeks after damage or cause sets in.
The number and distinctiveness of Beau's lines can provide insights and clues into possible causes. For instance:
One Beau's line on a single toenail may indicate a less severe injury.
Beau's lines on multiple nails may indicate higher stress levels or a more severe injury/illness.
Several rows of Beau's lines on each toenail with a gap in between may indicate multiple traumas over time, but not at once.
Fewer but thicker Beau's lines may signify a chronic injury or illness.
Beau's lines may occur for several reasons. Possible causes include:
Illness or severe stress. Being ill or stressed can divert your body's resources and nutrients away from nail growth. Blood flow interference due to an illness or infection is the culprit. Certain illnesses or infections can cause Beau's lines, including:
Viral infections
Heart attack
High fever
Measles
Mumps
Pneumonia
Strep infections
Raynaud's disease
COVID-19. A study published in the National Library of Medicine noted that COVID-19 might cause Beau's lines. The coronavirus is by no means the sole cause of Beau's lines but can be a trigger. As such, Beau's lines are sometimes known as "COVID nails."
Nail trauma. Acute or chronic trauma to your toenails can interrupt nail growth and cause Beau's lines. For example, you may stub your toe, drop an item on your foot, or wear ill-fitting shoes that add undue pressure to your toes and toenails. Damage to the nail matrix—the part of the nail where growth starts—is notably correlated with Beau's lines as growth is interrupted at the root.
Skin conditions. Skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis, can damage your nail matrix.
Vitamin or nutrient deficiencies. Particular vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can interrupt nail growth. For instance, biotin deficiency is known to cause brittle nails and affect nail growth. Zinc deficiency is also linked to the nail condition.
Chemotherapy side effects. Approximately 23% of anti-cancer therapy patients report nail changes. Changes to the nail may include Beau's lines.
Paronychia. Inflammation of the skin around the nails (known as paronychia) can cause Beau's lines.
How do I treat Beau's lines?
Moisturizing dry, itchy skin, both the byproducts of skin conditions, can help reduce the damage to the nail fold.
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for Beau's lines, nor is there a specific treatment for the condition per se. The key is to address the underlying cause - whether it be a medical condition or acute trauma - rather than the symptom (i.e.: what you see on your nails).
Below are several possible treatment methods you can try, depending on the underlying condition:
Allow the nail to grow out. Nail growth is approximately 1 mm every 6-10 days. Letting the nail grow and slowly trimming the tips reduce the appearance of lines on the toenail. The entire toenail should grow out within 6-8 months.
Apply creams or moisturizers for eczema or psoriasis. Moisturizing dry, itchy skin, both the byproducts of skin conditions, can help reduce the damage to the nail fold.
Avoid salon manicures, artificial nails or harsh nail products. Avoiding harsh chemicals and products can help reduce the trauma of the nail matrix.
Mask the ridges with nail polish. Nail polish is a cosmetic treatment to hide the grooves from Beau's lines. However, some nail polishes can weaken the nail, so be cautious about your product.
Get a medical pedicure from a licensed chiropodist to encourage proper nail growth, perform a thorough examination, and eliminate onychophosis (the buildup of skin cells in the nail folds, nail plate and cuticles).
Take biotin supplements. Some studies suggest that taking biotin can increase nail plate thickness by 25%. Generally, adults 19+ should be consuming 30-35 mg of biotin per day.
Biotin and Zinc supplements are believed to help nail growth.
If you find Beau's lines persisting, or worsening, it's recommended to contact a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
October 10, 2022
Inflammation is your body's natural and beneficial reaction to fight off invaders. From illness to injury, inflammation protects our bodies from damage that would worsen without this bodily response. However, sometimes there may be too much inflammation. And too much of a good thing can have damaging effects.
When addressed and managed correctly, you can reduce pain and discomfort associated with inflammation.
In this article, we'll show you how to control inflammation. Additionally, you'll learn more about inflammation, its causes and symptoms, and finally, how to relieve and reduce pain associated with inflammation.
What is inflammation?
Inflammation is your body's reaction to an irritant. Specifically, inflammation occurs when your immune system triggers white blood cells to release chemicals into your blood or tissues to fight off invaders. As a result, blood flow to the area increases, causing redness, warmth, and enlargement.
However, in some cases, certain conditions trigger inflammation when it's not needed. When your body produces too much inflammation, you may experience discomfort, pain, and other issues.
Generally, there are two types of inflammation: acute and chronic.
Acute inflammation is a short-lived bodily reaction, usually to some injury, foreign substance, or illness.
Chronic inflammation is a long-term reaction from your body's immune system. This type of inflammation can damage your body. Conditions linked to chronic inflammation include cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gouty arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and Alzheimer's.
Next, let's get into the symptoms of inflammation.
What are the symptoms of inflammation?
Those with inflammation may experience any number of symptoms you'll find below, but not necessarily all of them.
The most common symptoms of inflammation include:
Redness (a red tinge to your skin)
Swelling (warm to the touch and slightly enlarged in some cases, like if you sprain an ankle, for example)
Sharp or dull pain, especially in the joints
Stiffness
Deterioration of your joint's motor function. For instance, a loss of range of motion or reduced weight-bearing ability.
Now that you understand the signs and symptoms of inflammation, how does one know what causes inflammation? Let's get into the causes of inflammation next.
What causes inflammation?
Many things can trigger either low-level regulatory or quick, intense inflammatory responses. The source of the inflammation directly ties back to the type of inflammatory response: acute or chronic.
Below you'll find an extensive list of instances and causes where your body may trigger a swelling and inflammatory response:
An autoimmune disorder mistakes a healthy component of your body for a foreign antigen. As a result, your body attacks healthy tissues. Such diseases include rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Exposure to toxins and particular chemicals
Infections
An acute injury
Pregnancy can increases inflammation for several reasons. When pregnant, your body holds more water, and the added water may pool in your legs. The weight and pressure of your womb may also cause increased swelling in your legs, especially if you stand a lot.
Your diet has a direct connection with inflammation. Foods high in fat, fried foods, and refined carbohydrates can induce inflammation. More on that further along in the article.
Your age contributes to elevated inflammation levels. For example, Aging may cause higher levels of several inflammatory molecules. The age-associated increase in inflammatory molecules may be due to mitochondrial dysfunction, free radical accumulation over time, and other age-related factors like an increase in visceral body fat.
Obesity
Smoking cigarettes can reduce the production of anti-inflammatory molecules in your body.
Poor and a lack of sleep can cause increased inflammation. But not just a few poor nights of sleep. Being consistently sleep deprived interferes with the normal function of the brain's housecleaning system, and your body cannot clear itself of specific beta-amyloid proteins.
How can I reduce and relieve pain from inflammation?
Whether it's medication or altering your diet, the best treatment method for inflammation depends on the type of inflammatory response. For some, it may be a simple change to your lifestyle that can help relieve inflammation. For others, it may be a lifelong challenge where treatment methods aim to improve quality of life.
Exercise & Physical Activity
Exercise is a natural anti-inflammatory. The movement breaks up inflammation and stiffness. Physical activity also strengthens your muscles, which helps them better withstand your everyday activities without becoming over-exerted and getting injured. Since over-exertion can trigger an inflammatory response, strong muscles are your body's best defence and treatment against inflammation and injury. Check out our Pinterest Exercise and Stretching Board for recommended exercises to keep your inflammation at bay.
Pain relief cream
Over-the-counter topical creams can help provide pain relief associated with inflammation. These can be in the form of analgesic creams, rubs, and sprays. Diclofenac, known for its brand name Voltaren, for example, can help provide pain relief as well as provides a cooling sensation. Salicylates and topical NSAIDs may also provide relief.
Oral medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen)
Corticosteroids
Anti-inflammatory diet
The adage that you are what you eat has particular relevance for inflammation. Certain foods can cause inflammation, while other foods can help reduce inflammation. Foods like tomatoes, olive oil, greens, nuts, fish, and fruit all have anti-inflammatory properties to reduce inflammation. Conversely, avoid processed foods, fried foods, refined carbs, and sugary drinks, as these all have inflammation-inducing ingredients.
Cold therapy
Cold therapy, for instance icing, can be effective against pain related to swelling and inflammation for acute injuries. For sprained ankles, icing can help numb the area and encourage blood flow away from the site, which can help reduce swelling and discomfort. However, be careful when using cold therapy for chronic inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, as cold can sometimes cause your muscles to stiffen.
Elevate
Elevating your legs about your heart can help reduce inflammation by promoting blood flow back towards your heart and away from your feet. Elevating your legs is as simple as resting your legs up at an upward angle against the wall for 5-10 minutes.
Compression socks
Compression is a common and effective way of controlling and limiting swelling and inflammation. Custom garments exist to specifically increase circulation and help prevent swelling. These garments are called compression socks. Compression socks can be particularly handy when standing for long periods, travelling, or if you're sedentary for prolonged lengths.
August 15, 2022
Have you ever experienced a burning sensation in your feet? Your feet may feel hot for no reason or tingle and become uncomfortable, especially at night. While hot feet syndrome is highly painful, it is extremely common and can affect anyone for several reasons. If you experience a burning sensation in your feet, learn about the cause and potential treatments for burning feet below.
Nerve damage
Also known as neuropathy, nerve damage occurs when the sensitive nerves of the feet are injured. This is usually caused by disease. Nerve fibers can become overactive, misfiring and sending mixed messages to the brain. Sometimes they may send pain signals, while other times, they may send feelings of tingling, heat, or numbness. These sensations may be manageable with only slight discomfort, or they may be completely debilitating.
The most common cause of neuropathy is diabetes. Alcohol abuse, vitamin deficiency, kidney disease, and the side effects of some medications can also cause nerve damage. The nerves of the legs are often affected as well, causing pain and numbness to radiate down the lower legs and into the feet and toes.
Infection
Another common cause of burning feet is infection. Certain types of infection can cause hot feet. When the feet become inflamed, they can feel hot and uncomfortable. The skin of the feet may feel as though it is tingling and burning, and if not promptly treated, some infections may spread up the leg.
Blisters and cuts that become infected may cause burning feet. Fungal infections, such as athlete's foot, can also cause pain and discomfort.
Other Causes of Burning Feet
Other possible causes of burning feet include:
Inflammatory Arthritis: Sometimes, arthritic pain can cause a burning sensation in the affected joints. This from excess inflammation buildup, is most often seen with inflammatory arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout and psoriatic arthritis. Treating the underlying arthritis can ease or make the burning sensation go away.
Contact Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis is your skin’s allergic reaction to a certain chemical or substance. It is associated with an itchy red rash. Sometimes, the rash can also feel like it's burning. Contact dermatitis is caused by allergens and skin irritants. Often, identifying and removing the allergen/irritant can resolve the reaction.
Symptoms of burning feet
The symptoms you experience will depend on the cause of your condition. Some common complaints include:
Feet that feel warm or hot.
A burning sensation in the feet.
Burning feet at night.
Numbness or loss of sensation.
Prickling or tingling sensation.
Increased sensation to the touch (hyperesthesia).
Impaired blood flow to the feet.
Swelling.
Itching.
Difficulty walking.
How are burning feet diagnosed?
Depending on your overall health, your health care provider may use a few different methods to determine the cause of your burning feet. If you have been previously diagnosed with diabetes, this is the likely cause of your neuropathy, and no further testing will often be required. However, if diabetes isn't the culprit, your doctor may order a blood test, a nerve biopsy, a nerve conduction study, or an electromyography test. These tests will help determine the exact cause of your hot feet and allow your doctor to provide you with the best treatment solution.
Treatment for burning feet
The treatment for your burning feet will depend on what's causing it in the first place. If your hot feet are the result of an infection, treating the infection should eliminate all symptoms. If you are suffering from a vitamin deficiency, such as a lack of B12, taking supplements of this nutrient will help. If you have neuropathy, the best option is to slow down any further progression of the disease and help minimize the severity of the symptoms.
Keeping your blood sugar levels stable and ensuring you take all prescribed diabetic medications will help keep your nerve fibers healthy. Minimizing alcohol consumption and following a healthy and nutritious diet can also help. On top of this, numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications can reduce your discomfort, help you manage your pain, and improve the quality of your life.
July 4, 2022
The proverb goes, you are what you eat.
The notion represents the idea that to be and stay healthy, you should eat well. Good nutrition not only helps you feel good, but it also helps prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. And in Canada, there are few more prevalent diseases than arthritis. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, over 4.2 million Canadians (16%) aged 15 years and older reported having arthritis. And that number is expected to grow as the population ages.
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints, and it can affect any part of your body. There more than 100 different types of arthritis, each with different mechanisms and causes. While there is no cure for arthritis, there are a number of effective potent treatments for the condition. At or near the top of the list of treatments is nutrition. By avoiding foods that exacerbate joint pain and eating foods that reduce it, you can improve your quality of life, curb the effects of arthritis, and limit its arthritis.
In this article, we'll go over the best (and worst) foods for arthritis and joint pain.
Why Does Diet Affect Arthritis?
Most of the foods that are “bad” for arthritis are foods that promote inflammation.
As explained above, arthritis is a disease defined by joint inflammation. While inflammation is actually part of our body’s process for healing itself, with arthritis, too much inflammation continues to build up over time. This produces excessive swelling, restricts the joint’s movement, and triggers pain. The inflammation build-up ultimately erodes healthy tissue and bone. This leads to joint deformities and damages the surrounding ligaments, tendons and muscles.
The types of foods you eat can affect inflammation. Simply put, eating foods that trigger even more inflammation will make arthritis worse, whereas those that inhibit it can work as a natural “anti-inflammatory”. Wondering what foods those are? Keep reading to find out.
What are the worst foods to eat if you have arthritis?
There are many foods that can aggravate arthritis. The main thing they all have in common is that they trigger a chain reaction that triggers our body to produce inflammation, which makes arthritis symptoms worse.
Artificial trans fats
Fast food can be great when you’re on the go. Unfortunately, it’s also loaded in artificial trans fat, which is not so great if you have arthritis. On the spectrum of fats to avoid if you have arthritis, artificial trans fats ranks near the top. This is because, per the Arthritis Foundation, trans fats and saturated fats raise low-density lipoprotein (aka the "bad" cholesterol) while reducing high-density lipoprotein (aka "good" cholesterol). This increases risk factors associated with arthritis, like weight gain, while sending signals to our brain to release inflammation to the joints.
Examples of foods with high artificial trans fats include:
French fries
Fried foods
Shortening
Lard
Margarine
Saturated Fats
Like artificial trans fats, saturated fats can also trigger inflammation, which can contribute to arthritis flare-ups. Saturated fats specifically stimulate inflammation in fatty (adipose) tissue.
The following foods are high in saturated fats:
Whole dairy products, like butter, lard, creams and cheese
Red meats
Baked Goods
Milk and white chocolate
Gluten
Dietary adjustments have been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis with varying results. One link is between that of gluten. According to a study published in 2021 in the National Library of Medicine, evidence suggests that a gluten-free diet may improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Refined carbohydrates and white sugar
When there’s too much sugar in our system, our insulin tries to store the excess within fat cells. This makes fat cells grow in size.
Examples of foods with refined carbs and white sugar include:
White bread
Pastries
Soda
Sweetened beverages
Cookies
Cereals
Granola bars
Candy
Red meat
Foods with high amounts of a chemical named purine can raise uric acid levels, which contributes to gout. Avoid red meat and organ meats (for instance, liver) for this reason. Consuming red meat may increase your levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine, which can cause inflammation.
Alcohol
As alcohol may worsen arthritis symptoms, anyone with inflammatory arthritis should restrict or avoid it. One study linked alcohol to spinal structural damage in patients with axial spondylarthritis (a type of arthritis that primarily affects the spinal cord and sacroiliac (SI) joints).
Studies have also shown that alcohol intake may increase the frequency and severity of gout attacks. Moreover, some studies associate chronic alcohol consumption with an increased risk of osteoarthritis.
What are the best foods to eat if you have arthritis?
Foods that are good for arthritis are typically good for your joints, help reduce inflammation, and are rich in vitamins.
Green tea
Green tea contains antioxidants called polyphenols that have been shown to slow cartilage degradation. Polyphenols also help reduce inflammation in your joints. People with rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from another antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).
Fish
Fish — salmon, herring, tuna, sardines, mackerel — is great for people with rheumatoid arthritis because it is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which naturally fight inflammation.
These fish contain the highest amounts of omega-3s:
Herring
Salmon
Tuna
Mackerel
Vegetables
Vegetables are good for people with arthritis for a number of reasons. They're rich in vitamins, including vitamins A, C, and K, which protect cells from free-radical damage. These foods are also high in calcium, which helps bone strength and density.
Examples of vegetables good for arthritis include:
Broccoli
Spinach
Brussels sprouts
Kale
Swiss chard
Bok choy
Onions
Garlic
Leeks
Shallots
Olives
Nuts
Some nuts are rich in magnesium, l-arginine, and vitamin E, which can play a role in fighting inflammation. Studies show that people who eat a diet high in these nutrients tend to have lower levels of some inflammation-causing molecules and higher levels of the anti-inflammatory protein, adiponectin.
Whole grains
Whole grains are rich in B vitamins and in antioxidants, which protect cells from damage.
Soy
Soy is another food rich in omega-3, therefore being naturally effective in reducing inflammation. Soybeans are high in protein and fiber but low in fat, making them a great addition to any plate.
Examples of food that contain soy include:
Tofu
Edamame
Soy milk
June 27, 2022
Redness, swelling, discomfort, hot upon touch. These are all symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation is triggered by the body’s inflammatory response. It’s the medical term for your body’s process of fighting against harmful substances. Thanks to our body's inflammatory response, we're able to fight off illness, regenerate muscle and tissue, and trap bacteria while our immune system fends for itself.
Everything good comes in moderation though, right? In some cases, your body's inflammatory response is too much and, if it continues for a prolonged period, can cause a number of foot conditions. In this article, you'll learn more about the various kinds (the good and the not-so-good) of inflammation, signs of the inflammatory response, and the two primary categories of inflammation.
What is inflammation?
Inflammation occurs when your body's white blood cells release chemicals into your bloodstream. It does this to fight disease, damage, or harmful substances. As the blood flow to the area increases, you experience warmth, redness, and swelling. In many ways, inflammation is a good thing. It helps fight things that can harm your body. It also helps repair damage to your tissues and muscles, which is often why after an acute injury, you'll have localized swelling. But too much inflammation or prolonged inflammation can do more harm than good.
What is the inflammatory response?
Think of the inflammatory response as your body's firefighters. This defense mechanism is your body's response to invaders that it deems harmful. It activates disease-fighting and muscle-generating cells and chemicals and dispatches them to the affected area.
There are five components of the inflammatory response:
Heat
Pain
Redness
Swelling
Loss of function
What's "good" about inflammation?
Inflammation is a powerful reaction that can fight infection, heal injuries, and regenerate tissue, among other benefits.
How does inflammation help heal an injury?
Inflammation helps heal an injury by encouraging increased blood flow with the nutrients needed for your body to repair itself. These are immune cells. They include neutrophils and monocytes, antibodies, protein, and other fluids. The increased blood supply and fluids also causes swelling. Once the job is done, the inflammation subsides as your body relays signals that the healing process is complete.
Inflammation can also be purposely induced. For example, shockwave therapy uses high-intensity sound waves to purposely trigger the inflammatory response to treat chronic injuries like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and patellar tendinopathy. Contact us today if you'd like more information about shockwave therapy and where you can get this treatment in Toronto.
How does inflammation fight infection?
Like with an injury, your immune system responds to infection by sending out inflammatory cells and cytokines to fight the bacteria. The goal here is to trap the area from additional bacteria and neutralize the site while the healing process occurs. Again, this is why you see swelling, and redness, while also experiencing some pain and discomfort.
What's "bad" about inflammation?
Sometimes, inflammation doesn't turn off when it should. Prolonged bouts of inflammation can be a “bad” kind of inflammation, and lead to many chronic conditions. This type of unintended inflammation occurs when your body thinks it's fighting invaders when in fact it's not needed. For instance, with arthritis, your body's defense system - your immune system — triggers inflammation when there are no invaders.
Harvard Health Publishing writes, “intermittent bouts of inflammation directed at truly threatening invaders protect your health.” But, inversely, research shows that too much of a good thing can be bad. One such study concludes that “chronic, low-grade inflammation is a key factor in the pathogenesis of the cardiovascular disease, and is associated with the risk of developing diabetes, dementia, and depression.”
Excessive inflammation buildup also damages joints, muscles and ligaments. Too much inflammation (i.e.: chronic inflammation) is linked to various foot diseases and conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout and psoriatic arthritis. Excessive inflammation buildup can also occur with persistent and chronic Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.
Chronic or acute inflammation? Which is it?
Primarily, there are two types of the inflammatory response: acute inflammation and chronic inflammation.
Acute inflammation
Acute inflammation is your body's immediate inflammatory response. It can last hours to days for minor injuries, and up to 3 months for more severe injuries (i.e.: a broken bone). Acute inflammation is temporary, only lasts for the time required for the injury to heal, and then goes away once the injury is healed. During acute inflammation, plasma and leukocytes travel via the blood supply to the damaged/infected area. Acute inflammation occurs when you stub your toe, sprain your ankle, have an infected ingrown toenail, or break a bone.
Chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is just that: chronic. This prolonged inflammation can last months, if not years. It can occur when the inflammatory response is delayed, halted, or incomplete after an acute injury. It can also occur when the inflammatory response continues even after an injury heals, or is unnecessarily triggered due to an auto-immune disease (i.e.: rheumatoid arthritis or lupus). Chronic inflammation involves a physiological shift of the body's cells at the site of inflammation. Prolonged inflammation can be destructive to your joints and muscle as it both attempts to heal the area, but simultaneously does the opposite.
