Dr. Jordan Sudberg on Inflammation: The Hidden Driver of Chronic Pain and How to Fight Back

Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide, yet many sufferers never fully understand the underlying processes fueling their discomfort. One of the most significant—and often overlooked—contributors to ongoing pain is inflammation. While inflammation is a vital part of the body’s natural healing response, when it becomes chronic, it can lead to ongoing tissue damage and persistent pain.

Dr. Jordan Sudberg, a renowned pain management specialist, emphasizes that targeting chronic inflammation is key to long-term pain relief. In this blog post, he explains how inflammation drives chronic pain and outlines practical strategies to combat it without relying solely on medication.

What Is Inflammation—and Why Does It Matter?

Inflammation is the body’s way of protecting itself from harmful stimuli such as pathogens, injuries, or toxins. It’s a complex biological response that involves immune cells, blood vessels, and molecular signals.

There are two types of inflammation:

• Acute inflammation, which is short-term and part of the healing process (e.g., after a cut or sprain)
  
• Chronic inflammation, which persists over time and can damage healthy tissues
  

Dr. Jordan Sudberg explains:

“Acute inflammation is protective. Chronic inflammation is destructive. When inflammation becomes prolonged, it can lead to lasting pain, fatigue, and even degenerative diseases.”

How Inflammation Fuels Chronic Pain

When inflammation persists, it doesn’t just affect the area of injury—it also affects the nervous system, which is responsible for processing pain.

1. Sensitization of Nerves

Chronic inflammation can cause nociceptors (pain receptors) to become hypersensitive. This leads to peripheral sensitization, meaning that even mild stimuli—like touch or pressure—can trigger significant pain.

“It’s like turning up the volume on your pain signals,” Dr. Sudberg explains. “Inflamed nerves react more strongly and more often.”

2. Central Sensitization

Long-term inflammation may also cause changes in the spinal cord and brain, a phenomenon known as central sensitization. This results in an exaggerated pain response and can make the nervous system behave as if it’s in a constant state of alarm.

3. Destruction of Joint and Tissue Structures

In autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation targets the joints, causing erosion of cartilage and bone—leading to joint deformity and chronic pain.

4. Involvement in Neuropathic Pain

Inflammation also plays a role in neuropathic pain, especially when nerves themselves become inflamed or damaged. Sciatica, for example, is often the result of nerve root inflammation due to herniated discs or spinal stenosis.

Conditions Where Inflammation and Pain Intersect

Dr. Sudberg highlights several common chronic conditions driven by inflammation:

• Osteoarthritis
  
• Rheumatoid arthritis
  
• Fibromyalgia
  
• Chronic low back pain
  
• Neuropathic pain (e.g., sciatica, diabetic neuropathy)
  
• Tendonitis and bursitis
  
• Autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus, multiple sclerosis)
  

In each of these cases, managing inflammation is critical to controlling pain.

Strategies to Combat Inflammation and Reduce Pain

The good news is that inflammation is modifiable. With the right approach, many patients can significantly reduce both inflammation and the pain that comes with it.

Here’s what Dr. Jordan Sudberg recommends:

1. Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Food is one of the most powerful tools for reducing chronic inflammation.

Foods to Include:

• Fatty fish rich in omega-3s (salmon, sardines)
  
• Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
  
• Berries (blueberries, raspberries)
  
• Olive oil
  
• Nuts and seeds (especially walnuts and flaxseed)
  
• Turmeric and ginger
  

Foods to Avoid:

• Processed sugars
  
• Trans fats
  
• Refined carbohydrates
  
• Red and processed meats
  
• Excess alcohol
  

“What you eat can either fuel the fire or help put it out,” Dr. Sudberg says. “A consistent anti-inflammatory diet can make a huge difference in how you feel.”

2. Physical Activity and Movement

Contrary to popular belief, rest is not always best. Regular, low-impact exercise can decrease inflammation and increase mobility.

• Walking, swimming, and cycling are all excellent choices.
  
• Stretching and yoga reduce stiffness and support joint health.
  

“Movement increases circulation and promotes the release of anti-inflammatory compounds. It also helps prevent muscle loss that worsens chronic pain,” Dr. Sudberg notes.

3. Sleep and Stress Management

Chronic stress and poor sleep both contribute to elevated inflammatory markers like CRP (C-reactive protein).

Tips:

• Aim for 7–9 hours of restorative sleep per night.
  
• Practice deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness.
  
• Consider cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for stress and anxiety.
  

“Reducing stress is not just about feeling better emotionally—it’s about reducing physical inflammation in the body,” Dr. Sudberg emphasizes.

4. Medications and Supplements

While non-pharmacologic options are ideal for long-term management, medications can also play a role:

• NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) reduce inflammation and pain.
  
• Corticosteroids may be prescribed for severe inflammation.
  
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used in autoimmune conditions.
  

Supplements to consider (under medical supervision):

• Omega-3 fatty acids
  
• Curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric)
  
• Magnesium
  
• Vitamin D
  

“Supplements can be a helpful adjunct but should be part of a larger, evidence-based strategy,” says Dr. Sudberg.

5. Interventional Therapies

For patients with severe inflammation and pain, advanced treatments may be necessary:

• Joint injections (e.g., corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid)
  
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
  
• Radiofrequency ablation
  
• Nerve blocks
  
• Biofeedback and neuromodulation techniques
  

Dr. Sudberg offers many of these options through his clinic and tailors them to the unique needs of each patient.

Final Thoughts: Inflammation Is Treatable—Don’t Ignore It

Inflammation is often the silent culprit behind chronic pain. But with awareness, education, and the right support system, it can be managed.

Dr. Jordan Sudberg encourages patients to take a proactive approach:

“If you treat the inflammation, you can often treat the pain. You don’t have to live in constant discomfort. There are powerful tools available—and most of them start with simple, sustainable changes.”