Your joints are swollen, hot, or stiff in the morning. Your doctor says it's inflammation, hands you a prescription, and sends you on your way with minimal explanation. That's frustrating, because "inflammation" gets thrown around constantly but rarely explained in a way that actually helps. I'm going to break down what's actually happening inside your body, why it happens, how to recognize different types, and what works to manage it beyond just popping ibuprofen every day. Not vague advice about reducing stress—we're going deeper. By the end of this, you'll understand inflammation well enough to make better decisions about your own joints.