Understand the role of chiropractic care in reducing chronic inflammation and supporting a healthier life.

Managing Chronic Inflammation with Functional Medicine at El Paso Health Coach Clinic

Inflammation is a natural process that helps the body fight infections and heal injuries. However, when it becomes chronic, it can lead to serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and fibromyalgia. Unlike acute inflammation, which is a quick response to harm, chronic inflammation persists and can silently damage tissues over time. At El Paso Health Coach Clinic in El Paso, Texas, Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, uses functional medicine and health coaching to address the root causes of chronic inflammation, promoting natural healing and long-term wellness. This article explores the differences between acute and chronic inflammation, their roles in the body, environmental factors that contribute to chronic inflammation, and how non-surgical, integrative treatments at the clinic help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and support overall health.

Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation: What’s the Difference?

Inflammation is the body’s way of protecting itself from injury, infection, or harmful substances, involving immune cells, blood vessels, and chemical signals. Acute and chronic inflammation serve different purposes and have distinct effects on the body.

Acute Inflammation: A Rapid Defense

Acute inflammation is the body’s immediate response to a specific event, like a cut, sprain, or infection. For example, when you burn your finger, the area becomes red, swollen, and painful as immune cells like neutrophils work to prevent infection and start healing (Germolec et al., 2018). Key features include:

• Short Duration: Lasts hours to days, resolving once the threat is addressed.
• Visible Signs: Redness, swelling, heat, and pain occur due to increased blood flow.
• Protective Function: Eliminates pathogens, repairs tissues, and restores normal function (Arulselvan et al., 2016).

For instance, a sore throat during a cold is acute inflammation fighting the virus to aid recovery.

Chronic Inflammation: A Silent Threat

Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, low-grade state that can last months or years, often without obvious symptoms at first. It can damage tissues and contribute to diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and fibromyalgia (Suzuki, 2019). Characteristics include:

• Persistent Nature: Continues due to ongoing stressors or immune dysfunction.
• Hidden Damage: Affects organs and tissues, leading to conditions like heart disease or cancer.
• Increased Pain: Sensitizes pain pathways, worsening conditions like fibromyalgia (García-Domínguez, 2025).

For example, chronic inflammation in the joints can lead to osteoarthritis, causing persistent pain and stiffness.

The Role of Inflammation in the Body

Inflammation is essential for survival, but it can become harmful when it becomes chronic. Understanding its roles helps highlight the importance of managing chronic inflammation.

Acute Inflammation’s Protective Role

Acute inflammation supports the body by:

• Fighting Infections: Immune cells attack bacteria or viruses to prevent illness (Arulselvan et al., 2016).
• Repairing Tissues: Delivers nutrients and oxygen to injured areas for healing.
• Clearing Debris: Removes dead cells and pathogens, cleaning the injury site.

For example, swelling after a sprained ankle helps deliver healing resources to the area.

Chronic Inflammation’s Harmful Effects

Chronic inflammation can disrupt bodily functions by:

• Damaging Tissues: Prolonged inflammation breaks down healthy tissues, contributing to conditions like fatty liver or atherosclerosis (Suzuki, 2019).
• Disrupting Organ Function: Affects normal processes, leading to diseases like diabetes or depression (Health Coach Clinic, n.d.).
• Worsening Pain: Increases pain sensitivity, as seen in fibromyalgia (García-Domínguez, 2025).

This persistent state often stems from lifestyle or environmental factors, which we’ll explore next.

Environmental Factors Contributing to Chronic Inflammation

Several lifestyle and environmental factors fuel chronic inflammation. Addressing these through functional medicine can reduce their impact.

Poor Diet

Diet significantly affects inflammation. Consuming excessive amounts of refined sugars, flours, and processed oils—common in modern diets—spikes blood sugar and fat levels, thereby promoting inflammation (Health Coach Clinic, n.d.). Key triggers include:

• Excess Calories: Consuming processed foods in excess leads to obesity, a known inflammatory state (Suzuki, 2019).
• Low Nutrient Intake: Diets lacking fiber, antioxidants, or healthy fats are ineffective in combating inflammation (Strasser et al., 2021).
• Inflammatory Foods: Aspartame and monosodium glutamate may increase inflammation in some individuals (Kurapatti et al., 2023).

For example, regular consumption of sugary snacks can elevate inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP).

Sedentary Lifestyle

Lack of physical activity promotes inflammation by contributing to obesity and poor circulation. Regular movement helps clear inflammatory mediators and supports immune balance (Metsios et al., 2020).

Chronic Stress

Ongoing stress releases cortisol, disrupting immune function and increasing inflammation. For instance, constant work pressure can increase pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 (Suzuki, 2019).

Sleep Deprivation

Poor sleep impairs tissue repair and increases inflammatory markers, such as IL-6 and TNF-?, contributing to the development of chronic conditions (Health Coach Clinic, n.d.).

Environmental Toxins

Exposure to pollutants like air pollution or cigarette smoke activates the immune system, causing low-grade inflammation (Arulselvan et al., 2016).

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Exploring Integrative Medicine- Video

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Functional Medicine and Integrative Treatments at El Paso Health Coach Clinic

El Paso Health Coach Clinic, led by Dr. Alexander Jimenez, uses a functional medicine approach to address the root causes of chronic inflammation. By combining health coaching, nutritional guidance, and integrative therapies, the clinic supports the body’s natural detoxification processes, reduces pain, and promotes long-term wellness.

Functional Medicine Approach

Functional medicine focuses on the whole person, considering genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Dr. Jimenez uses detailed lab work to identify inflammatory markers like CRP, glucose, or hemoglobin A1c, providing insights into underlying issues (Germolec et al., 2018). Benefits include:

• Personalized Plans: Tailored treatments address individual needs based on lab results and health history.
• Root Cause Focus: Identifies triggers like diet or stress to prevent chronic inflammation.
• Natural Healing: Emphasizes non-prescription, all-natural treatments to restore organ function (Health Coach Clinic, n.d.).

For example, a patient with chronic fatigue might undergo lab testing to detect inflammation, followed by a customized nutrition and exercise plan.

Health Coaching

Health coaching at the clinic empowers patients to make sustainable lifestyle changes. Coaches provide 24/7 support to help with:

• Nutrition Guidance: Adopting anti-inflammatory diets like Mediterranean or vegan, rich in fiber and omega-3s (Kurapatti et al., 2023).
• Exercise Plans: Encouraging low-impact activities like walking or yoga to boost circulation and reduce inflammation (Metsios et al., 2020).
• Stress Management: Teaching techniques like mindfulness to lower cortisol levels (Suzuki, 2019).

For instance, a patient might work with a coach to replace processed foods with nutrient-dense meals, improving energy and reducing inflammation.

Integrative Therapies

Dr. Jimenez integrates complementary therapies to combat inflammation:

• Acupuncture: Stimulates specific points to reduce pain and inflammation by lowering cytokines like IL-6 (Wickenheisser et al., 2019).
• Massage Therapy: Enhances circulation and lymphatic drainage, clearing inflammatory mediators (Metsios et al., 2020).
• Nutritional Supplements: All-natural nutraceuticals, like omega-3s or turmeric, support recovery and reduce inflammation (Health Coach Clinic, n.d.).

These therapies enhance the body’s detoxification systems, such as the lymphatic system, to eliminate waste efficiently.

Physical Activity

Exercise is a crucial component in managing inflammation. Dr. Jimenez designs personalized plans, including:

• Low-Impact Aerobics: Activities like swimming or cycling increase blood flow and lower CRP levels (Suzuki, 2019).
• Strength Training: Builds muscle to regulate blood sugar and reduce inflammation (Strasser et al., 2021).
• Yoga and stretching improve flexibility and reduce stress hormones (Metsios et al., 2020).

For example, a patient recovering from a work injury might follow a yoga routine to reduce inflammation and improve mobility.

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition

Dr. Jimenez emphasizes diets that combat inflammation:

• Avoid Refined Foods: Reduce sugar, flour, and processed oils (Health Coach Clinic, n.d.).
• Emphasize Plant-Based Foods: Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains provide antioxidants and fiber (Kurapatti et al., 2023).
• Incorporate Omega-3s: Foods like salmon or flaxseeds reduce inflammatory cytokines (Strasser et al., 2021).

A Mediterranean diet, for instance, can lower inflammatory markers and improve symptoms in conditions like fibromyalgia.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

LLLT uses light to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair by stimulating ATP production and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Wickenheisser et al., 2019; Rayegani et al., 2017). This therapy is used for patients with musculoskeletal pain, such as those with arthritis, to complement other forms of treatment.

Dr. Alexander Jimenez’s Expertise at El Paso Health Coach Clinic

Dr. Jimenez, a chiropractor and nurse practitioner, brings a unique functional medicine approach to the clinic. His expertise includes:

Comprehensive Diagnostics

Using advanced lab work and neuromusculoskeletal imaging (e.g., X-rays, MRIs), Dr. Jimenez identifies inflammation and injury causes. Tests for markers like CRP or IL-6 provide a clear picture of a patient’s health (Germolec et al., 2018; Jimenez, n.d.).

Treating Diverse Conditions

The clinic addresses chronic conditions and injuries from various sources:

• Chronic Diseases: Conditions like diabetes or fibromyalgia are managed with nutrition, exercise, and integrative therapies to reduce inflammation (Health Coach Clinic, n.d.).
• Work Injuries: Repetitive strain injuries are treated with acupuncture, nutrition, and lifestyle changes to prevent chronic inflammation.
• Sports Injuries: Sprains or tendonitis are managed with exercise and massage to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• MVAs: Whiplash or spinal injuries are treated with integrative therapies and detailed documentation for legal or insurance purposes (Jimenez, n.d.).

Medical and Legal Support

For injury cases, Dr. Jimenez provides thorough medical care and legal documentation, ensuring accurate records for insurance claims or legal proceedings, particularly for MVAs or workplace injuries (Jimenez, n.d.).

Synergistic Healing

The clinic’s treatments work together to support the body’s natural healing processes:

• Circulation and Detoxification: Exercise and massage boost blood and lymph flow, clearing inflammatory waste (Metsios et al., 2020).
• Inflammation Reduction: Acupuncture and LLLT target inflammatory pathways, while nutrition neutralizes free radicals (Wickenheisser et al., 2019; Kurapatti et al., 2023).
• Pain Management: Integrative therapies reduce nerve irritation and muscle tension (Health Coach Clinic, n.d.).
• Prevention: Addressing root causes like poor diet or stress prevents chronic conditions (García-Domínguez, 2025).

For example, a patient with diabetes might receive nutrition counseling, acupuncture, and a walking plan to lower inflammation and improve blood sugar control.

Addressing Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain

Fibromyalgia, often linked to chronic inflammation, requires careful management. Dr. Jimenez uses lab tests to monitor markers like IL-6 and TNF-?, which are elevated in fibromyalgia (García-Domínguez, 2025). His integrative approach, including nutrition, exercise, and acupuncture, reduces these markers, alleviating pain and fatigue.

Conclusion

Chronic inflammation can lead to serious health problems, but El Paso Health Coach Clinic, led by Dr. Alexander Jimenez, offers a functional medicine approach to address its root causes. By combining health coaching, integrative therapies, personalized exercise, and anti-inflammatory nutrition, the clinic supports the body’s natural detoxification and healing processes. Whether managing fibromyalgia, recovering from an injury, or seeking overall wellness, patients benefit from customized care that reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and promotes long-term health. Contact El Paso Health Coach Clinic at (915) 412-6677 or visit healthcoach.clinic/ to start your journey to better health.

References

• Arulselvan, P., Fard, M. T., Tan, W. S., Gothai, S., Fakurazi, S., Norhaizan, M. E., & Kumar, S. S. (2016). Role of antioxidants and natural products in inflammation. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2016, 5276130. doi.org/10.1155/2016/5276130
• El Paso Back Clinic. (n.d.). Chronic inflammation: Chiropractic treatment. elpasobackclinic.com/chronic-inflammation-chiropractic/
• García-Domínguez, M. (2025). Fibromyalgia and inflammation: Unrevealing the connection. Cells, 14(4), 271. doi.org/10.3390/cells14040271
• Germolec, D. R., Shipkowski, K. A., Frawley, R. P., & Evans, E. (2018). Markers of inflammation. Methods in Molecular Biology, 1803, 57–79. doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8549-4_5
• Health Coach Clinic. (n.d.). El Paso, TX Health Coach Clinic – Functional Medicine and Wellness. healthcoach.clinic/
• Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC. dralexjimenez.com/
• Jimenez, A. (n.d.). LinkedIn profile. www.linkedin.com/in/dralexjimenez/
• Kurapatti, M., Ratheesh, M., & Jose, R. (2023). Diet composition’s effect on chronic musculoskeletal pain: A narrative review. Pain Physician, 26(7), 527–534. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37976478/
• Metsios, G. S., Moe, R. H., & Kitas, G. D. (2020). Exercise and inflammation. Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 34(2), 101504. doi.org/10.1016/j.berh.2020.101504
• Paroli, M., Gioffrè, F. M., & Caccamo, V. (2024). Inflammation, autoimmunity, and infection in fibromyalgia: A narrative review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(11), 5922. doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115922
• Rayegani, S. M., Raeissadat, S. A., Heidari, S., & Moradi-Joo, M. (2017). Safety and Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of lasers in medical sciences, 8(Suppl 1), S12–S19. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29071029/
• Strasser, B., Wolters, M., Weyh, C., Krüger, K., & Ticinesi, A. (2021). The effects of lifestyle and diet on gut microbiota composition, inflammation, and muscle performance in our aging society. Nutrients, 13(6), 2045. doi.org/10.3390/nu13062045
• Suzuki, K. (2019). Chronic inflammation as an immunological abnormality and effectiveness of exercise. Biomolecules, 9(6), 223. doi.org/10.3390/biom9060223
• Wickenheisser, V. A., Zywot, E. M., Rabjohns, E. M., Lee, H. H., Lawrence, D. S., & Tarrant, T. K. (2019). Laser light therapy in inflammatory, musculoskeletal, and autoimmune disease. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 19(8), 37. doi.org/10.1007/s11882-019-0869-z