The Health Diva

The adrenal system is another important regulator of the inflammatory response.

The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. They produce hormones for the body’s “fight or flight response”. They also regulate the immune system, hormonal system, muscle integrity, sleep, connective tissue, and inflammatory response, among other things.

When the adrenal glands are weak, damaged tissue from an injury heals more slowly, less completely, and inflammation will persist longer.

The adrenals will not be able to respond properly to help decrease pain and inflammation in your joints and body by producing cortisol, when they are weakened from prolonged physical or emotional stress.

Other factors that contribute to adrenal weakness are sugar imbalance, menopause, pregnancy, lack of rest, and inappropriate diet and/or exercise.

The adrenals can be strengthened with good nutrition, supplements, and appropriate lifestyle changes.

Pain and inflammation can also be alleviated with specific herbal remedies such as Devils Claw, Turmeric, and Boswellia, as well as manual treatment for the nerves and joints, such as acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathic treatments.

Yoga, Pilates, breathing techniques and regular aromatherapy massages can all help to improve muscular relaxation and reduce muscular tension.

You hurt all over, and you frequently feel exhausted. Even after numerous tests, your doctor can’t find anything specifically wrong with you. If this sounds familiar, you may have fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain.

Fibromyalgia occurs in about 2 percent of the population. Women are much more likely to develop the disorder than are men, and the risk of fibromyalgia increases with age. Fibromyalgia symptoms often begin after a physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases there appears to be no triggering event.

Herbs such as Rhodiola, and  Siberian Ginseng, have been shown to be helpful for fibromyalgia suffers, helping to increase constitutional energy and stamina.

Nutrients such as  D- Ribose, B vitamins, vitamin C, Magnesium and antioxidant nutrients, are also important to support the adrenal system and improve muscular functioning.