Inflammation Isn't the Enemy
Inflammation is often viewed as something that should always be eliminated, but that's only part of the story. Your body's inflammatory response is the biological process responsible for repairing injuries, fighting infection, and rebuilding damaged tissue.
"The goal isn't to eliminate inflammation—it's to encourage the right kind at the right time."
— Dr. Joseph Albano
What Acute Inflammation Does
Acute inflammation begins immediately after an injury or infection. Blood flow increases while platelets, immune cells, growth factors, proteins, and stem cells travel to the injured tissue to begin the healing process. Once repair is complete, the inflammatory response naturally resolves.
Why Suppressing Healing Can Be a Problem
Medications such as NSAIDs and corticosteroids reduce inflammation, but they also suppress many of the biological signals responsible for tissue repair. While they may temporarily reduce pain, they can slow healing, interfere with collagen production, and mask symptoms that help protect injured tissues.
Important Note
For patients undergoing regenerative procedures like PRP or orthobiologic injections, NSAIDs are generally avoided because they suppress the very healing response the treatment is designed to stimulate.
When Inflammation Becomes Harmful
Unlike acute inflammation, chronic inflammation persists for months or years. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, degenerative joint disease, and accelerated aging. Rather than helping tissue heal, chronic inflammation slowly damages healthy cells.
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Autoimmune disorders
- Osteoarthritis
- Accelerated aging
- Metabolic dysfunction
How Orthobiologics Work
As we age, the body's natural healing response becomes less efficient. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow concentrate help by delivering concentrated healing cells and growth factors directly to injured tissue. Rather than suppressing inflammation, these treatments create a controlled healing response that encourages tissue repair.
Clinical Insight
Regenerative medicine doesn't fight your body's healing response—it enhances it by delivering more of the biological tools needed for repair.
The Big Picture
Healthy recovery depends on balancing inflammation—not eliminating it. Acute inflammation should be supported because it allows injured tissue to heal. Chronic inflammation should be reduced through nutrition, exercise, hormone optimization, weight management, and regenerative therapies when appropriate.
Our Approach
At Albano Clinic, we focus on helping the body heal naturally by supporting beneficial inflammation while addressing the chronic inflammatory processes that contribute to pain, arthritis, and degenerative disease. Every treatment plan is tailored to the patient's condition, overall health, and long-term goals.