Inflammation is Your Body's Way of Speaking: Understanding the Signal for Better Healing

At New Horizon Podiatry and Wellness in Orlando, Florida, we believe that every symptom your body produces is a message, not a problem to suppress. Inflammation is one of the most misunderstood aspects of health. Many people see it as an enemy, something to be silenced with medications. However, inflammation is your body's way of talking to you, signaling that something deeper needs attention.

As the founder of New Horizon Podiatry and Wellness, I’m Dr. Cynthia Correa-Cedeño, and my mission is to take a functional medicine approach to foot and ankle health. We aim to uncover the root causes of problems rather than masking them with quick fixes. In this blog, I’ll explore why inflammation is not something to be feared but instead a guide toward understanding the body's needs for healing.

Inflammation: Your Body's Healing Signal

When patients come to me with foot and ankle pain, especially when it’s chronic, the first thing I remind them is that their foot is connected to the rest of their body. If your foot is inflamed, it’s not an isolated issue. It’s often a sign that your body, as a whole, is dealing with deeper dysfunction. Whether it’s a biomechanical problem or an underlying metabolic issue, inflammation is a signal that something isn’t quite right.

Primary vs. Chronic Inflammation: What You Need to Know

In functional medicine, we look at inflammation in two different ways: primary inflammation and chronic inflammation. The most critical point to understand is that primary inflammation is a normal, necessary process for detoxifying and repairing your body. This type of inflammation works behind the scenes to replace dead cells, repair injured tissues, and defend against microbes.

Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, occurs when this repair process doesn’t go smoothly. It’s often painful and leads to swelling, loss of function, and tissue damage. However, chronic inflammation isn’t just about the symptoms you feel. It’s a sign that your body’s primary healing pathway isn’t working efficiently. This inefficiency can be caused by metabolic stress, biomechanical problems, or immune system dysfunction.

The Problem with Suppressing Inflammation

The common response to chronic inflammation, especially in foot and ankle problems, is to take anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs or cortisone shots. While these medications may provide temporary relief, they don’t get to the root of the problem. Worse, they can interfere with the body’s ability to heal properly. Suppressing inflammation can cause side effects like liver toxicity, GI problems, and even tissue degeneration.

At New Horizon Podiatry and Wellness, we focus on supporting your body’s natural healing processes instead of working against them. That’s why we focus on a thorough evaluation of your biomechanics and your overall health to address the true causes of your foot and ankle pain.

Functional Medicine: A Better Way to Heal

In my practice, I prioritize functional medicine because it looks at your whole body, not just your symptoms. Rather than merely quieting the inflammation, we work together to support your body’s primary healing pathways, allowing your body to do what it’s designed to do—heal.

We know that chronic inflammation starts the moment you begin feeling pain, and from that point on, it’s crucial to restore balance to your immune system and other body systems. Whether through adjustments in biomechanics or targeted nutritional changes to reduce metabolic stress, the goal is to help your body heal naturally.

Get to the Root of the Problem

At New Horizon Podiatry and Wellness, we believe that inflammation is not your enemy—it’s a sign that your body is asking for help. Together, we can uncover the underlying issues and create a plan to restore balance, allowing you to heal more effectively.

If you’re dealing with chronic foot or ankle pain, don’t settle for quick fixes that may harm you in the long run. Instead, let’s find the root cause of your pain and work together for long-term healing.