What do others do about inflammation?

Myofascial release (MFR) is a specific therapy modality that requires extra training. My friend @jenniferhunter can explain it better than I do. Manual therapy includes MFR, manually finding and releasing tight muscles, stretching & manipulation by the therapist, massage and other techniques. Most of the PT's who do this are Doctors of Physical Therapy and can be found through pain rehab clinics, rehab centers, and some ortho and neuro docs. They also give you highly specific stretches and/or exercises to do on your own. Today my PT worked exclusively on a problem I am having with one shoulder, arm and hand using a combination of manipulation, MFR of key restrictions and stretching.

As for turmeric, I wasn't very successful until I used curcumin (350 mg) with black pepper (2.5 mg) three times a day. Also, duloxetine only works for me if I keep moving and stretching - even when I hurt. I have found sitting or lying on the sofa, or in the recliner makes me much worse. That reminds me, I am due for a quick walk - I have been at the keyboard for an hour!
Sue

@sueinmn Sue, I think you explained this very well. We have all seen fascia. If you skin a raw chicken, it is the cobwebby stuff you are cutting through. That fascia connects everything in our bodies through all the muscles and connects the bones. It can develop scar tissue if it gets torn. If you imagine stretching some netting and pulling it on a diagonal, it gets tight and the spaces close down. MFR is all about opening up the spaces and letting the fascia glide on itself. It's like a spider web and it is reorganizing itself in a semi liquid state as it unwinds.

Here is our discussion, that you may be interested in:

Neuropathy- :Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Just saw your question, Linda. Sorry to take so long replying. I did try infusion therapy, with mixed results. I had what's called a Myers Cocktail, which contains vitamin C, B vitamins, and magnesium. The only thing I noticed was increased energy the first few times, but I was already feeling much better when I started the infusions. (I started them after a terrible flare up of inflammation, thinking this might prevent it from happening again.) The last time I had an infusion (I had 5 altogether), my blood pressure shot way up, so I decided to stop them. They're also very expensive -- $250 each.

Cortisone increase blood glucose levels thus possibly increasing an inflammatory response if you have insulin resistance and an overworked pancreas. Recently got a continuous glucose monitor and started a low carbohydrate meal plan. Pain is reducing in OA knees and I feel my depression lifting. I hope it continues because I found that with the exception of this last doctor I visited, physicians do not connect the dots in their specialty area to inflammation. It’s surgery or a medication in most every instance.

Hi. I also have several health issues, one being dysautonomia which causes multiple symptoms. Arthritis is all over my body and the osteoarthritis in my right hip will need hip replacement soon.

My doctor stressed that I should cut way down on sugar, gluten and dairy if not totally eliminate them. She also said I should be on an anti-inflammatory diet - fresh fruits and vegetables, no preservatives or processed foods. She put me on a supplement of alpha lipoic acid as well as a couple of prescriptions. When I followed this diet I did feel better but I got sick so it's been a couple of months since we've had those meals. We are eating whatever was convenient.

Hope you feel better.

Thank you.

Linda, my advice is to find a functional medicine doctor and avoid any more cortisone shots. I had terrible pain all over after my fourth Covid vaccine, followed by amoxicillin to treat a cough that lasted 4 months. My functional medicine doc ordered lots of blood tests that showed widespread inflammation. He put me on an anti-inflammatory diet with no refined sugar, no dairy (except Greek yoghurt), and no gluten. After a few months, I got better! But I'm gluten intolerant now. Functional medicine looks for the cause of the problem and then treats it, not just the symptoms (like Western medicine). If you continue with your regular doctor they'll only give you more drugs, which might make you worse. I have a history of antibiotic overuse, due to chronic sinus infections. I also took a drug called Levaquin 8 years ago that really did a number on my health. Don't ever take one of these drugs--called fluoroquinolones. They're poison.

Early this past summer, I developed prostatitis and was prescribed a 38 day course of ciprofloxacin, a flouroquinalone. I was reticent about taking it after reading the warnings that came with my prescription, especially about the potential for long-term muscle/joint/tendon damage, peripheral neuropathy (had a bout of idiopathic PN once and never want to have it again!), and heart arrhythmia problems (which I have a history of). My doctor convinced me to take the cipro, advising that the odds of having the nastier side effects were low and said that I didn't have any better choices for my condition. So, deciding that the risk wasn't worse than not being able to urinate properly, against my better judgement, I started my regimen. Due to developing moderate joint/muscle pain, and the prostatitis clearing up, I quit the course about 3/4 of the way through it. This was back in July. I've had problems with heart flutter and joint pain since. I am 66 and have a history of arthritis and the heart flutter, so these symptoms may just be coincidences.

But Levaquin cured my pneumonia quick with no SE! They may have better choices now but that was commonly used back in the ‘90’s and pneumonia can kill.

What is a continuous glucose monitor and is it used only by diabetics? Does it involve needles?