Inflammation and Chronic Pain
Mark Earnhart, DC Owner, Nutri-West Pacifi c, WSCA Platinum Level Corporate Member
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the August 2025 issue of The American Chiropractor
https://theamericanchiropractor.com/article/2025/08/01/infl ammation-and-chronic-pain
Inflammation has been linked to every health condition that afflicts the human race, including chronic pain. There are many causes of inflammation such as injury, poor diet and stress to name a few. In case of injury there are several things to help the body heal properly such as chiropractic adjustments, laser, nutrition, acupuncture and massage.
One thing that ensures chronic pain after an injury is to take NSAID’S due to them blocking the healing of the joint. NSAID’S relieve pain but then puts the person into a chronic pain cycle. Recent research shows that people given NSAID’S for an injury causes them to have chronic pain the rest of their lives. It is now known that NSAID’S cause damage to the mucosal lining of the small and large intestines leading to leaky gut and inflammation in the gut. Once we have inflammation in the gut, we have inflammation in the brain.
Omega 3’s from fish has been shown to be as effective as NSAID’S in reducing pain and inflammation in the joints from acute injury. As far as chronic pain goes, the food we eat is critical to our inflammatory profile. People with a ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 oils above 4/1 (some researchers say 2/1) are in serious trouble. The average American’s ratio is 25/1 which ensures chronic disease and early death. It is important to have this ratio checked by a simple finger prick blood analysis. I use the Brain Span test (
BrianSpan.com) which also has a cognitive portion as well.
“Omega 3’s from fish has been shown to be as effective as NSAID’S in reducing pain and inflammation in the joints from acute injury.”
18 www .ch ir oh ealth.or g
Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has also been shown to reduce inflammation, improve circulation and increase mitochondrial production of ATP. When something does all three of these things, healing occurs. I personally use and trust Erchonia lasers.
When it comes to chronic pain, nutrition becomes critical. We need to reduce pro-inflammatory foods like sugar, refined or excess carbohydrates, Trans Fats, processed/packaged foods, deep fried foods, soda whether with sugar or one of the diet forms, high omega 6 oils (vegetable oils) and fast foods to name a few.
We need to replace those with Omega 3 containing foods, wild caught fatty fish, wild game/lean organic meats, olive oil, avocado oil and coconut oil, organic fruits and vegetables, raw unsalted nuts, clean filtered water, organic green tea and spices.
There are also many nutrients that can help reduce chronic inflammation, including:
Top Nutrients to Support Infl ammation 1. Boswellia 2. Ginger 3. Turmeric
6. Quercetin 7. Alpha Lipoic Acid 8. Vitamin D3 4. Curcumin 5. Milk Thistle 9. CoQ10 10. Vitamin C
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