How I Use Functional Medicine to Help You Heal Chronic Inflammation

​By Lara Aitken, DOM/CFMP | Functional Medicine Practitioner at 4 Winds Medicine
​
If you’ve been living with fatigue, brain fog, stubborn weight gain, joint pain, or chronic illness, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken.
Many of my patients come to me after months or even years of being told their lab results are “normal,” while they continue to struggle with real symptoms. In many of these cases, chronic inflammation is the hidden culprit.
At 4 Winds Medicine, my approach as a functional medicine practitioner is simple, yet powerful: I don’t just treat symptoms—I help you uncover and address what’s causing them.

What Is Chronic Inflammation?Inflammation itself isn’t bad—it’s the body’s natural defense system. But when that system stays on high alert for too long, it starts damaging healthy tissue. That’s what we call chronic inflammation, and it’s often behind conditions like:

• Autoimmune diseases
• Diabetes and insulin resistance
• Digestive issues like IBS and leaky gut
• Skin problems like eczema and acne
• Brain fog and mood changes
• Hormonal imbalances
• Chronic fatigue and pain

Chronic inflammation can feel like your body is working against you. My goal is to help you understand why it’s happening—and how we can calm the fire from the inside out.

My Functional Medicine Approach at 4 Winds MedicineFunctional medicine is a patient-centered, root-cause approach to health—and it’s how I help people heal from the inside out.
When we work together, I take the time to hear your story, explore your unique physiology, and create a customized plan designed specifically for you.
Here’s how I approach inflammation:
🔬 1. Deeper Testing, Better AnswersRather than relying only on standard labs, I may recommend specialized testing to uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface. This could include:

• Gut microbiome and digestive testing
• Food sensitivity and allergy panels
• Inflammatory markers like CRP
• Hormone and adrenal function panels
• Toxin or heavy metal exposure
• Nutrient deficiencies

These insights help us find the why behind your inflammation.
🥗 2. Personalized Anti-Inflammatory NutritionFood can either fan the flames of inflammation or help extinguish them. I help you discover which foods support your body—and which may be contributing to your symptoms. This might include:

• Removing common triggers like gluten, dairy, sugar, or processed oils
• Focusing on whole, nourishing foods that support healing
• Incorporating herbs and spices like turmeric and ginger
• Supporting hydration and healthy digestion

I don’t believe in rigid diets—I help you find a rhythm of eating that feels doable, healing, and satisfying.
🧬 3. Gut Healing as a FoundationThe gut is often the source of inflammation. If you have bloating, irregular bowel movements, food sensitivities, or skin issues, we’ll likely begin here.
I use a proven functional medicine framework to help:

• Remove harmful triggers or pathogens
• Replace digestive enzymes if needed
• Rebuild your microbiome with probiotics and prebiotics
• Repair the gut lining using key nutrients like L-glutamine

A healthy gut leads to a calmer immune system—and a clearer mind and body.
🌿 4. Supporting Detox and Lifestyle FoundationsModern life is full of stressors: toxins, sleep deprivation, emotional strain, and poor movement habits. Each one can contribute to inflammation. Together, we’ll work on:

• Restoring sleep quality
• Managing stress with breathing, meditation, or gentle movement
• Reducing toxin exposure in food, air, and personal care
• Supporting your body’s detox pathways naturally

Every part of your lifestyle can either support or strain your healing. My job is to help you make small, sustainable shifts that lead to big changes.

You Don’t Have to Stay in Survival ModeIf you’ve been managing chronic inflammation with band-aid solutions, I want you to know there is another way.
At 4 Winds Medicine, my mission is to help you reconnect with your body’s natural ability to heal. Functional medicine offers a clear, empowering path forward—not quick fixes, but lasting transformation.
If you're ready to feel lighter, clearer, and more in control of your health, I would be honored to walk that journey with you.

Ready to Begin?📞 Call me at (407) 654-8700
📅 Or schedule a consultation today at www.4windsmedicine.com
Let’s quiet the fire of chronic inflammation—together.
Warmly,
Lara Aitken, DOM/CFMP
Functional Medicine Practitioner
4 Winds Medicine

---