Most people think of inflammation only when a joint swells or a wound becomes red and sore. But the truth is, low-grade inflammation can quietly influence everything from digestion to energy levels, and even how well you age. So what can a functional medicine doctor in Chino Hills tell us about it? What happens when they examine what fuels these reactions?
Understanding the underlying causes helps them recommend natural ways to calm them, which we’ll explore below. Read on to learn what body inflammation really means and the practical steps you can take to bring your body back into balance.
What is inflammation in the body exactly?
Inflammation is your body’s built-in defense system. When an injury or infection occurs, immune cells release chemicals that help protect and repair tissue. This short-term (acute) process is extremely important because it’s what drives healing. Unfortunately, it can happen that this response never fully shuts off. Then, inflammation shifts from being protective to harmful, and quietly damages cells and tissues over time. Let’s take a closer look at this process:
Acute vs. chronic inflammation
Short-term or acute inflammation is the swelling and warmth you notice after twisting an ankle or catching a cold. It may not feel pleasant, but its function is important, and it resolves once the body recovers. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, can last for months or years. It’s often fueled by ongoing stress, poor diet, hidden infections, or toxin exposure. Over time, this can contribute to issues like fatigue, joint pain, skin flare-ups, or difficulty losing weight.
Common triggers of ongoing inflammation
A range of lifestyle and environmental factors can keep your immune system on constant alert, including:
- Processed foods and excess sugar
- Gut imbalances or food sensitivities
- Lack of quality sleep
- Emotional stress and elevated cortisol
- Sedentary habits
- Pollutants or heavy metals that strain detox pathways
When you identify and address these root contributors, it’s possible to quiet the immune system instead of just suppressing its signals.
How to reduce inflammation with functional medicine?
The same holistic approach that functional medicine uses to address chronic pain can help with inflammation too. It doesn’t treat symptoms only or prescribe a one-size-fits-all treatment. Instead, functional medicine looks carefully into why inflammation is happening and then supports the body’s natural ability to regulate itself.
Though practitioners design plans based on each person’s specific triggers and needs, here are some core strategies to calm inflammation naturally:
- Anti-inflammatory nutrition: Center meals around colorful produce, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber-rich foods. Limit refined sugar, processed oils, and alcohol.
- Support for the gut: Restoring balance to the digestive tract helps reduce immune overactivity. Probiotics, fermented foods, and targeted nutrients that address deficiencies can strengthen the gut barrier.
- Liver and detox support: Hydration, cruciferous vegetables, and gentle herbal aids assist the body in clearing toxins that aggravate inflammation.
- Stress regulation: Treating chronic stress or burnout is a crucial step, and options like meditation, breathing exercises, or gentle yoga lower cortisol and calm inflammatory pathways.
- Targeted supplementation: Omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, and antioxidants, when used properly, can help reduce systemic inflammation.
- Acupuncture and body therapies: These methods promote circulation, reduce tension, and modulate the body’s inflammatory response through the nervous system.
When carefully combined to fit each person’s individual needs, all of these can contribute to a more stable internal environment that supports healing rather than constant defense mode.
Who’s the most reliable functional medicine doctor in Chino Hills?
If you’re seeking a center that goes deeper than quick fixes, Oasis Healing Arts stands out for our commitment to uncovering the drivers of inflammation in each person. We combine detailed testing, lifestyle coaching, and supportive therapies to help calm internal stress, gut imbalance, and immune overactivation.
From central Chino Hills to the beautiful vistas of Overlook Park, residents across the city can count on us for personalized, holistic care. Ready to reduce inflammation and restore balance in your body? Contact us today to arrange your first consultation and take the first step toward a calmer, healthier you.