Discover effective strategies in chiropractic care to manage pain from chronic inflammation and promote better health naturally.

Combating Chronic Inflammation with Functional Medicine in El Paso, TX

Inflammation is a natural process that helps the body heal from injuries and fight infections, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to persistent pain and serious health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and fibromyalgia. Unlike acute inflammation, which is a short-term response to harm, chronic inflammation persists and can silently damage tissues over time. In El Paso, Texas, Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, a certified functional medicine practitioner, employs a holistic approach that combines functional medicine, chiropractic care, and integrative therapies to address the root causes of chronic inflammation. 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 treatments can reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and support long-term wellness through the body’s natural healing processes.

Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation: Understanding the Difference

Inflammation is the body’s defense mechanism against injury, infection, or harmful substances, involving immune cells, blood vessels, and chemical signals. Acute and chronic inflammation serve distinct purposes and have different impacts on health.

Acute Inflammation: The Body’s Rapid Response

Acute inflammation is the body’s immediate reaction to a specific event, such as a cut, sprain, or infection. For example, when you stub your toe, the area becomes red, swollen, and painful as immune cells, such as neutrophils, rush to prevent infection and initiate the healing process (Germolec et al., 2018). Key features include:

• Short Duration: Lasts hours to days, resolving once the threat is addressed.
• Visible Symptoms: Redness, swelling, heat, and pain occur due to increased blood flow.
• Protective Role: 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 Contributor to Pain

Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, low-grade state that can persist for months or years, often without obvious symptoms initially. It can damage tissues and contribute to conditions like heart disease, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia, leading to chronic pain (Suzuki, 2019). Characteristics include:

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

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

The Role of Inflammation in the Body

Inflammation is essential for survival, but can become harmful when chronic. Understanding its roles highlights the importance of managing chronic inflammation to reduce pain and improve health.

Acute Inflammation’s Protective Functions

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 sports injury helps deliver healing resources to the affected area.

Chronic Inflammation’s Harmful Effects

Chronic inflammation can disrupt bodily functions and increase pain by:

• Damaging Tissues: Prolonged inflammation breaks down healthy tissues, contributing to conditions like atherosclerosis or joint degeneration (Suzuki, 2019).
• Disrupting Organ Function: Affects normal processes, leading to diseases like diabetes or depression (Health Voice 360, n.d.).
• Worsening Pain: Sensitizes pain pathways, exacerbating conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic back pain (García-Domínguez, 2025).

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

Environmental Factors Fueling Chronic Inflammation

Several lifestyle and environmental factors contribute to chronic inflammation, exacerbating pain and health issues. Addressing these through functional medicine can reduce their impact.

Unhealthy Diet

Diet significantly influences inflammation. Consuming excessive refined sugars, flours, and processed oils—common in modern diets—spikes blood sugar and fat levels, promoting inflammation (Health Voice 360, 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, frequent consumption of sugary drinks can elevate inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), worsening pain.

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 elevate pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, contributing to pain (Suzuki, 2019).

Sleep Deprivation

Poor sleep impairs tissue repair and increases inflammatory markers like IL-6 and TNF-?, exacerbating chronic pain and health issues (Health Voice 360, n.d.).

Environmental Toxins

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

Exploring Integrative Medicine- Video

Functional Medicine and Integrative Treatments

Dr. Alexander Jimenez, a certified functional medicine provider, offers a holistic approach to managing chronic inflammation and pain at his El Paso, TX clinic. By combining functional medicine, chiropractic care, and integrative therapies, he addresses the root causes of inflammation to support the body’s natural healing processes and promote 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 Care: Treatments are tailored to each patient’s unique health profile based on lab results and history.
• Root Cause Focus: Identifies triggers, such as diet or stress, to prevent chronic inflammation.
• Natural Healing: Emphasizes non-prescription, all-natural treatments to restore organ function (Health Voice 360, n.d.).

For example, a patient with chronic fatigue may undergo laboratory testing to detect inflammation, followed by a customized nutrition and exercise plan to alleviate symptoms.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic adjustments correct spinal misalignments (subluxations) that contribute to inflammation and pain. Dr. Jimenez uses gentle techniques to improve joint mobility and nerve function, offering benefits like:

• Enhanced Circulation: Adjustments improve blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing inflammatory waste (Health Voice 360, n.d.).
• Pain Reduction: Reducing nerve irritation alleviates pain caused by inflammation.
• Advanced Diagnostics: Dr. Jimenez uses neuromusculoskeletal imaging, such as X-rays or MRIs, to tailor treatments (Jimenez, n.d.).

For instance, a patient with chronic lower back pain may receive adjustments to restore spinal alignment, reducing inflammation and improving mobility.

Integrative Therapies

Dr. Jimenez integrates complementary therapies to address inflammation and pain holistically:

• Acupuncture stimulates specific points to reduce inflammation and pain by lowering cytokines, such as IL-6 (Wickenheisser et al., 2019).
• Massage Therapy: Enhances circulation and lymphatic drainage, helping clear inflammatory mediators and reduce muscle tension (Metsios et al., 2020).
• Nutritional Counseling: Emphasizes anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Mediterranean or vegan diet, rich in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids to combat inflammation (Kurapatti et al., 2023).

These therapies support the body’s detoxification systems, like the lymphatic system, to eliminate waste efficiently.

Physical Activity and Rehabilitation

Exercise is a cornerstone of inflammation and pain management. Dr. Jimenez designs personalized rehabilitation plans, including:

• Low-Impact Aerobics: Activities like walking, 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, reduce muscle tension, and lower stress hormones that fuel inflammation (Metsios et al., 2020).

For example, a patient recovering from a sports injury might follow a yoga routine to enhance circulation and reduce joint inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition

Dr. Jimenez advises patients to adopt diets that combat inflammation:

• Avoid Refined Foods: Reduce sugar, flour, and processed oils to lower inflammation (Health Voice 360, n.d.).
• Emphasize Plant-Based Foods: Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains provide antioxidants and fiber to reduce inflammation (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 arthritis or fibromyalgia.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

LLLT uses specific wavelengths of 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). Dr. Jimenez may use LLLT for patients with musculoskeletal pain, such as those with fibromyalgia, to complement other treatments.

Dr. Alexander Jimenez’s Expertise

Dr. Jimenez, a dual-licensed chiropractor and nurse practitioner, brings a comprehensive functional medicine approach to his El Paso, TX clinic. His expertise includes:

Comprehensive Diagnostics

Using advanced lab work and neuromusculoskeletal imaging (e.g., X-rays, MRIs), Dr. Jimenez identifies the root causes of inflammation and pain. 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 and Injuries

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 Voice 360, n.d.).
• Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs): Whiplash, herniated discs, or other injuries are treated with adjustments, LLLT, and rehabilitation exercises to reduce inflammation and restore function.
• Work Injuries: Repetitive strain injuries are managed with chiropractic care, acupuncture, and ergonomic advice to prevent chronic inflammation.
• Sports Injuries: Sprains or tendonitis are treated with targeted exercises and massage to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Personal Injuries: Falls or minor traumas are addressed with integrative therapies to prevent long-term pain and complications.

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.). This documentation supports patients’ recovery and legal needs.

Synergistic Healing

Dr. Jimenez’s treatments work together to enhance 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: Adjustments and stretching reduce nerve irritation and muscle tension, alleviating pain (Health Voice 360, n.d.).
• Prevention: Addressing root causes like poor diet or stress prevents chronic conditions and pain (García-Domínguez, 2025).

For example, a patient with fibromyalgia might receive chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal alignment, acupuncture to reduce pain, a tailored exercise plan to boost circulation, and nutritional counseling to adopt a Mediterranean diet, all working together to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.

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 chiropractic care, acupuncture, exercise, and nutrition, reduces these markers, alleviating pain, fatigue, and other symptoms.

Conclusion

Chronic inflammation can contribute to persistent pain and serious health issues, but Dr. Alexander Jimenez’s functional medicine approach in El Paso, TX, offers effective non-surgical solutions. By combining chiropractic care, integrative therapies like acupuncture and massage, targeted exercise, and anti-inflammatory nutrition, the clinic addresses the root causes of inflammation, reduces pain, and supports the body’s natural healing processes. Whether managing fibromyalgia, recovering from an injury, or seeking overall wellness, patients benefit from personalized care that promotes long-term health. Contact the clinic at (915) 412-6677 or visit https://healthvoice360.com/ to start your journey to pain relief and 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. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/5276130
• El Paso Back Clinic. (n.d.). Chronic inflammation: Chiropractic treatment. https://elpasobackclinic.com/chronic-inflammation-chiropractic/
• García-Domínguez, M. (2025). Fibromyalgia and inflammation: Unrevealing the connection. Cells, 14(4), 271. https://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. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8549-4_5
• Health Voice 360. (n.d.). Integrative Wellness Podcast | El Paso, Texas – Doctors & Health Specialists Advancing Wellness Living. https://healthvoice360.com/
• Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC. https://dralexjimenez.com/
• Jimenez, A. (n.d.). LinkedIn profile. https://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. https://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. https://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. https://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. https://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. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13062045
• Suzuki, K. (2019). Chronic inflammation as an immunological abnormality and effectiveness of exercise. Biomolecules, 9(6), 223. https://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. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-019-0869-z