Everything is arguably related to inflammation. It can cause cancer, skin conditions, allergies, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches and painful menstruation. But although this has been a word or concept thrown around frequently of late, what exactly is inflammation? Very simply, it is a combination of heat, pain, redness and swelling that happens externally or inside the body.  Inflammation, is not always a bad thing, it is after all your immune system reacting to injury or infection and trying to promote healing.