You’re Not Lazy—You’re Inflamed: The Pain-Fatigue Connection

Why Fatigue Isn’t Just “Being Tired”

We've talked fatigue before, and there's a reason. Well, a lot of reasons! Everyone seems to be excessively tired these days. Maybe it's long days, or maybe there's something else underlying the issue.

If you’re dragging through the day, struggling to focus, or feeling like you could nap just about anywhere, you might assume you’re just lazy or unmotivated. In reality, your body might be sending a signal: inflammation.

Research shows chronic inflammation can trigger both pain and fatigue, creating a frustrating cycle that impacts daily life. This is where functional medicine pain relief can step in—focusing on root causes, not just symptom management.

Take control before hard wood floors start to look a little too inviting for a nap.

The Energy Drain: How Inflammation Works

When inflammation becomes chronic, it hijacks your energy systems. Instead of running on efficient “long-burn” energy pathways, your cells shift to a quick-burn mode called aerobic glycolysis (Miller et al., 2018).

That means your body starts spending more energy just to keep up, leaving you feeling exhausted—even if you’re resting. This “energy tax” from inflammation is a big reason why fatigue can feel so overwhelming.

Pain + Fatigue = A Self-Reinforcing Cycle

Pain and fatigue often go hand in hand. Studies in people with arthritis, autoimmune conditions, and other inflammatory diseases show they share similar biological pathways (Bower & Lamkin, 2013).

When you’re in pain, your body’s stress response kicks in. This response can drive more inflammation, which worsens fatigue. Over time, this loop can also affect your mood, making it harder to break free without targeted care.

Functional Medicine: A Root-Cause Approach

Rather than masking symptoms, functional medicine looks at why inflammation and fatigue are happening in the first place.

This can include:

• Gut health support – Addressing food sensitivities, microbiome imbalances, and leaky gut, all of which can spark inflammation.

• Anti-inflammatory nutrition – Prioritizing whole foods, omega-3s, and plant-based antioxidants has been linked to lower inflammatory markers and improved energy.

• Lifestyle changes – Stress reduction, restorative sleep, and gentle movement (think: yoga or tai chi) can reduce inflammation and improve resilience.

• Nutrient repletion – Correcting deficiencies in B vitamins, magnesium, or iron can help restore mitochondrial energy production.

Fatigue Is a Signal, Not a Flaw

If you’re feeling drained, it’s not a moral failing, it’s a biological response that deserves attention! Inflammation and fatigue are closely linked, but they’re also reversible with the right plan.

By taking a functional medicine pain relief approach, you can reduce inflammation, restore energy, and break the pain-fatigue cycle—without settling for “just pushing through.”

References

Bower, J. E., & Lamkin, D. M. (2013). Inflammation and fatigue: What we know and what we don’t. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 15(3), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/ar4179

Bower, J. E., Greendale, G., Crosswell, A. D., Garet, D., Sternlieb, B., Ganz, P. A., ... & Irwin, M. R. (2014). Yoga reduces inflammatory signaling in fatigued breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 32(10), 1040–1049. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2013.51.8860

Institute for Functional Medicine. (n.d.). Chronic fatigue, chronic pain, and functional medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ifm.org/chronic-fatigue-chronic-pain

Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., Belury, M. A., Andridge, R., Malarkey, W. B., & Glaser, R. (2018). Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation and anxiety in medical students: A randomized controlled trial. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 32, 104–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2013.04.002

Kominsky, D. J., Campbell, E. L., & Colgan, S. P. (2018). Metabolic shifts in immunity and inflammation. Journal of Immunology, 200(12), 3852–3859. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1701661

Miller, A. H., Maletic, V., & Raison, C. L. (2018). Inflammation and its discontents: The role of cytokines in the pathophysiology of major depression. Biological Psychiatry, 65(9), 732–741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.11.029

Yeh, G. Y., Wang, C., Wayne, P. M., & Phillips, R. S. (2018). The effect of tai chi exercise on pain, balance, muscle strength, and perceived difficulty in physical functioning in older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 61(11), 1545–1553. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.24832