Definition
Healing after injury is a staged, coordinated process — hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, remodeling — in which controlled inflammation is essential to recovery.
Why it matters
The public conversation about inflammation often forgets that inflammation is required for healing. Blocking it indiscriminately can slow recovery.
The Science
Inflammatory signaling recruits immune cells, clears debris, and initiates tissue repair. Anti-inflammatories used incorrectly around fractures, tendon injury, and surgery can impair outcomes. Timing and context matter more than a blanket rule.
The NSI Perspective
NSI treats inflammation as a process to be understood and supported, not simply suppressed.
Clinical Implications
Timing of anti-inflammatory interventions is a nuanced clinical decision. Blanket avoidance and blanket use are both errors.
Practical Application
When you are healing, some inflammation is the body doing its job. Suppressing it too aggressively can slow the process you are trying to help.
References
- 1.Duchesne E, Dufresne SS, Dumont NA. Impact of inflammation and anti-inflammatory modalities on skeletal muscle healing: from fundamental research to the clinic. Phys Ther. 2017;97(8):807–817.