08/22/2026
MOVEMENT, INFLAMMATION & LYME DISEASE 🌿
Dr. Myriah Hinchey describes inflammation as a major driving force in Lyme and tick-borne disease. Her inflammatory framework includes signaling pathways and mediators such as:
• NF-κB
• IL-6
• IL-8
• IL-1β
• TNF-α
• MAPK signaling
• IDO and the kynurenine pathway
• Galectin-3
• Fibrinogen and tissue-remodeling enzymes
These markers are not necessarily elevated in every patient, and many are not included in routine bloodwork. However, several overlap with the inflammatory pathways that consistent physical activity may help regulate.
Research suggests that regular, tolerable exercise can help lower resting levels of CRP, IL-6, TNF-α and fibrinogen while helping regulate NF-κB signaling and kynurenine metabolism.
The types of movement studied include:
• Walking and other moderate aerobic activity
• Cycling or swimming
• Light-to-moderate resistance training
• Combined aerobic and resistance exercise
• Tai chi, gentle yoga and similar mind-body movement
But what if chronic illness makes traditional exercise impossible?
Movement does not need to be long, strenuous or look like a conventional workout to be meaningful.
For someone with limited energy, movement might mean gentle stretching in bed, ankle pumps, slow seated movements, one light resistance-band exercise, walking across the room or spending one comfortable minute moving the body.
These smaller amounts may still support circulation, mobility, digestion, joint health and the nervous system—even if they have not been proven to produce the same measurable cytokine changes as a full exercise program.
If you experience post-exertional malaise, dysautonomia or nervous-system dysregulation, more is not necessarily better. The goal is to remain within your individual energy envelope and avoid triggering a delayed crash. Symptoms of PEM may not appear until 12–48 hours after activity, so how you feel later matters as much as how you feel during it.
The movement your body can safely handle still adds up.
It is still helpful.
It is still beneficial.
And it is good enough. 💚
This post is educational and is not individualized medical advice. Always adapt activity to your condition and discuss significant exercise intolerance, chest symptoms, fainting or new neurological symptoms with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Sources: Dr. Myriah Hinchey’s 2023 ILADS presentation; CDC guidance on post-exertional malaise and pacing; research reviews examining exercise, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α.
