3 Myths About Inflammation That Need to Die

Inflammation gets a bad rap. In the world of health, it’s often painted as the villain—something to suppress, avoid, or eliminate altogether. But what if we’ve misunderstood its role in the body?

At Perfectly Human Physiotherapy, we believe the human body is intelligent—everything it does serves a purpose. That includes inflammation. When understood correctly, inflammation isn’t something to fear; it’s something to work with. Let’s break down three common myths about inflammation and shift toward a more informed, holistic approach.

Myth 1: Inflammation Is Always Bad

Truth: Inflammation is a natural and essential part of the body’s healing process.

Acute inflammation occurs in response to injury, stress, or illness. It’s the body’s way of sending immune cells and nutrients to repair tissue and remove harmful stimuli. In other words, inflammation is your body doing its job.

The real problem lies in chronic inflammation—when the body stays in a prolonged state of alert due to poor lifestyle habits, unresolved stress, or underlying health issues. But short-term, well-regulated inflammation? That’s not just normal—it’s necessary.

Myth 2: You Should Always Reduce Inflammation with Ice or Anti-Inflammatories

Truth: Suppressing inflammation too early can interfere with the natural healing cascade.

While ice and anti-inflammatory medications can provide temporary pain relief, they may also block important healing signals. Research increasingly supports the idea that inflammation plays a critical role in tissue repair, especially in musculoskeletal injuries.

In holistic rehab, we use tools like gentle movement, heat therapy, grounding, light therapy, breathwork, frequency healing and nervous system regulation to support the body’s innate intelligence, rather than suppress it.

Myth 3: Inflammation Means Something Is Wrong

Truth: Inflammation is a sign that the body is responding—not failing.

Whether it’s the soreness you feel after training or the swelling after a strain, inflammation is often your body adapting and growing. It’s a signal—an invitation to listen, slow down, and support recovery.

Instead of fearing inflammation, ask: What is my body responding to? What does it need right now?

When you take a functional and holistic view of health, inflammation becomes a teacher—not a threat.

At Perfectly Human Physiotherapy, we believe the body is built to heal, adapt, and thrive—when given the right conditions. Inflammation isn’t the enemy; chronic imbalance is. By shifting how we view inflammation, we empower ourselves to work with the body, not against it.

Looking to heal smarter, not harder?

Book a session with our team to explore holistic physiotherapy that honours your body’s natural processes.

https://www.perfectlyhuman.au/bookings