Health/Wellness – Page 3 – JRM Nurse Consultants

September 09 2025

Ozempic vs. Natural Weight Loss for Hormonal Balance and Injury Recovery

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Introduction

During perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen and progesterone can affect metabolism, joint health, muscle mass, and inflammation, making weight management and injury recovery more challenging.

Ozempic (semaglutide) has gained attention for weight loss, but it’s important to understand its proper use, potential side effects, and how natural strategies remain the foundation for safe recovery and hormonal balance.

Hormonal Changes and Injury Recovery

Hormonal changes in menopause can:

Slow metabolism
Increase abdominal fat
Reduce muscle mass
Elevate inflammation
Delay recovery from injuries

Weight gain can also increase stress on joints, ligaments, and muscles, making sustainable weight and hormone management essential for injury prevention and healing.

Reference: Mayo Clinic, Menopause Symptoms & Management

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist originally approved for type 2 diabetes. It works by:

Slowing gastric emptying
Reducing appetite
Helping with blood sugar control

Important: Ozempic is not a magic weight-loss solution for healthy women and should never replace lifestyle strategies for injury recovery or hormone balance.

Potential side effects:

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
Rare: pancreatitis, gallbladder disease
Requires ongoing medical supervision

Emerging Research: Ozempic and Injury Management

Some studies suggest that semaglutide may benefit certain joint injuries, particularly knee osteoarthritis in individuals with obesity.

Findings include:

Greater weight loss than placebo
Reduced knee pain
Improved physical function

Mechanisms may include joint stress reduction via weight loss and anti-inflammatory effects.

References:

NEJM, 2024: Semaglutide and Knee Osteoarthritis
PMC, 2022: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Note: These benefits are specific to medical cases like obesity-related osteoarthritis, not general cosmetic weight loss.

Natural Strategies for Weight, Hormones, and Injury Recovery

Whether or not medications are involved, foundational strategies are critical:

Nutrition (Anti-inflammatory & Hormone-Supportive)

Healthy fats: olive oil, avocado, fatty fish
Protein: chicken, eggs, tofu, Greek yogurt
Fiber-rich carbs: quinoa, oats, vegetables
Supplements for joints & tissue repair: collagen, magnesium

Sample 1-Day Meal Plan:

Meal	Foods
Breakfast	Spinach & mushroom omelet with avocado
Snack	Greek yogurt + berries + chia seeds
Lunch	Grilled salmon salad with walnuts and olive oil
Snack	Carrot sticks & hummus
Dinner	Baked chicken, roasted sweet potato, broccoli

Exercise & Recovery

Strength training: 2–3x/week to maintain muscle and protect joints
Cardio: 3–5x/week for metabolism and cardiovascular health
Mobility & stretching: Prevent injuries and improve recovery

Lifestyle

Sleep: 7–9 hours for hormone regulation and tissue repair
Stress management: Meditation, journaling, or breathing exercises
Gut health: Fiber, probiotics, and balanced nutrition

Reference: Harvard Health, Menopause and Weight Gain

Ozempic vs. Natural Strategies

Factor	Ozempic (Semaglutide)	Natural Approaches
Purpose	Blood sugar management, weight loss in obesity/diabetes	Hormone balance, injury recovery, sustainable weight management
Benefits	Can reduce appetite, promote weight loss, and improve joint pain in OA	Supports metabolism, joint health, muscle mass, and hormone regulation
Risks	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, and gallbladder issues	Minimal if done correctly
Sustainability	Requires ongoing injections, medical supervision	Lifelong skills support overall health
Best Use	Medically indicated obesity or diabetes; obesity-related osteoarthritis	Everyone, especially injury recovery & menopause support

Safety and Legal Considerations

Medical supervision is essential
Side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, pancreatitis
Not for cosmetic weight loss in otherwise healthy individuals

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any medication, particularly when recovering from injuries or managing hormonal changes.

Conclusion

Ozempic may be helpful for specific medical scenarios, such as obesity-related knee osteoarthritis, but it is not a replacement for natural, foundational strategies.

Focus on:

Nutrition
Strength and mobility training
Sleep and stress management
Hormone-supportive practices

These steps improve injury recovery, joint health, and sustainable weight management safely and effectively.

References

Mayo Clinic. Menopause Symptoms & Management
NEJM, 2024. Semaglutide and Knee Osteoarthritis
PMC, 2022. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Harvard Health. Menopause and Weight Gain

“To receive your free handout with meal plans, exercise charts, and a comparison of Ozempic vs. natural strategies, contact me at jrmnurseconsultants.com.”

September 09 2025

Inflammation: The Invisible Barrier to Healing

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

You’ve followed every instruction, completed your physical therapy, and taken the medications—but the pain still lingers. Maybe it’s joint stiffness, nerve irritation, or just that deep ache that never really went away. If you feel like something’s still wrong but no one can tell you what it is, there may be one hidden culprit: inflammation.

What Is Inflammation—and Why Does It Matter?

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury, stress, or toxins. In small doses, it helps with healing. But when inflammation becomes chronic, it actually prevents healing. It keeps your tissues irritated, your nerves overreactive, and your immune system exhausted.

This invisible force can stall your recovery long after the original injury has healed—especially if it’s never addressed at the root.

Clues That Inflammation Is Slowing You Down

As a Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant, I see this often in clients who say:

“I’m still in pain even though my MRI looks fine.”
“I was cleared by ortho but don’t feel like myself.”
“I can’t sleep, my energy is low, and everything feels inflamed.”

These aren’t just symptoms to medicate. They’re signals that your body is trying to say:
“Help me heal at the source.”

How We Address Inflammation Functionally

At JRM Nurse Consultants, we take a deeper, root-cause approach. We focus on:

Personalized anti-inflammatory nutrition
Gut health restoration (since 70% of your immune system lives there)
Functional lab testing to identify hidden imbalances
Stress reduction protocols that calm the nervous system

When we lower inflammation naturally, the body can do what it was designed to do—heal.

“If you’ve been frustrated by slow recovery or vague diagnoses, don’t settle. There is another way.”

Let’s Build Your Recovery Plan

A one-time injury should not lead to a lifetime of pain.

Click here to book your session
Schedule your $25 Functional Recovery Assessment and let’s look beyond the surface together.

Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant
Serving Orlando and surrounding areas
Phone: 407-760-1662
Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Website: www.jrmnurseconsultants.com

August 08 2025

The Hidden Reasons Injured Workers Don’t Fully Recover

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

If you’ve ever heard an injured worker say, “The doctor cleared me, but I’m still in pain,” you’re not alone. In fact, this is one of the most common frustrations I hear in my practice. Despite surgeries, physical therapy, and even medications, many individuals never return to how they felt before the injury. Why? Because traditional care often stops at the surface, and that’s where Functional Medicine steps in.

As a Functional Medicine Nurse and Case Manager, I’ve worked with countless injured workers who were told their injury had healed, yet they still couldn’t sleep, concentrate, or move without pain. When we looked deeper, we found the real reasons behind their lingering symptoms:

Chronic Inflammation That Was Never Addressed
Injuries trigger inflammation—your body’s natural defense system. But when inflammation becomes chronic due to poor diet, stress, or gut dysfunction, it delays tissue repair and amplifies pain. While medication can dull the symptoms, it doesn’t correct the cause. Functional Medicine looks at what you’re eating, how your gut is functioning, and whether you’re getting the nutrients needed for recovery.
Hormonal Imbalances from Stress and Trauma
An accident—especially one that involves surgery or disability—can be a traumatic event. It sends stress signals to the brain and disrupts your body’s natural hormone cycles. Elevated cortisol levels can cause fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and even weight gain. Functional lab testing helps us detect adrenal dysfunction and hormone imbalances that traditional providers often overlook.
Underlying Gut Dysfunction
Pain meds, antibiotics, and stress can wreak havoc on the gut lining. This leads to leaky gut, poor nutrient absorption, and immune imbalances—all of which delay healing. A compromised gut also impacts brain function and mood, which many injured workers struggle with silently. In Functional Medicine, we focus on rebuilding the gut so that the whole body can function better.
Nervous System Dysregulation After Trauma
The body stores trauma—not just physically, but neurologically. Even if your X-rays or MRIs are clear, your nervous system may still be in a state of fight-or-flight. This leads to ongoing tension, poor sleep, and heightened pain sensitivity. Through nervous system support and targeted calming protocols, we help clients reset the healing response.
Lack of a Personalized Recovery Plan
Cookie-cutter advice like “rest and take this pill” doesn’t work for complex recoveries. Every injured worker has a unique health history, lifestyle, and set of challenges. Functional Medicine offers a personalized, whole-person plan to help the body heal from the inside out. This includes nutrition, lifestyle, stress management, supplementation, and coaching.

You Don’t Have to Settle for “Living With It”
If you or a loved one has been told you’re fine—but you still feel broken—there is hope. We help injured workers uncover the real reasons they aren’t healing and walk with them toward lasting recovery.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00
Click here to book your session

Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant
Serving Orlando and surrounding areas
407-760-1662 | rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
jrmnurseconsultants.com

August 08 2025

Why Injured Workers Need More Than Pain Meds: The Functional Medicine Approach

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

When someone is injured on the job, the typical medical response often focuses heavily on managing pain—usually through medication—and recommending rest. While pain relief is important, this approach frequently leaves injured workers without the comprehensive support needed to fully heal and regain function. As a Functional Health Nurse and case manager, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this narrow focus can prolong suffering and delay recovery.

The Limits of Conventional Care for Injured Workers

Traditional treatment often prioritizes symptom management rather than addressing the underlying causes that prevent healing. Pain medications may mask discomfort temporarily, but do not resolve the biological or emotional factors fueling chronic pain or delayed recovery. Meanwhile, injured workers may be advised to rest extensively, which can lead to muscle weakness, reduced mobility, and even increased pain over time.

Unfortunately, this cycle can leave workers feeling stuck, frustrated, and concerned about their ability to return to work and everyday life.

How Functional Medicine Bridges the Gap

Functional Medicine is a whole-person approach that considers the complex interactions between nutrition, inflammation, hormones, nervous system function, and emotional health. It’s especially valuable for injured workers because it helps identify and address the root causes of slow healing and persistent pain.

Here’s how Functional Medicine can transform recovery:

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Support

Chronic inflammation is a major barrier to healing after injury. Certain foods can either fuel or fight inflammation. Through personalized nutritional guidance, we help injured workers reduce inflammatory triggers and incorporate nutrient-dense, healing foods that support tissue repair and overall wellness.

Gut Healing Protocols

The gut plays a surprisingly powerful role in recovery. Poor gut health can contribute to systemic inflammation and impair nutrient absorption, both of which slow healing. Functional Medicine addresses gut imbalances with targeted protocols to restore balance, support the immune system, and optimize digestion.

Functional Lab Testing for Hormone and Adrenal Health

Stress from injury can disrupt hormone balance and adrenal function, which impacts energy levels, pain perception, and tissue repair. Functional lab testing provides deeper insights beyond conventional labs, allowing for tailored interventions to rebalance these critical systems and support recovery.

Nervous System Care After Trauma

Physical injury is often accompanied by nervous system dysregulation, especially after trauma or chronic pain. Techniques to calm the nervous system—including breathing exercises, mindfulness, and gentle movement—can reduce pain sensitivity and improve overall function.

Why This Matters for Injured Workers

Injured workers deserve more than just medication and rest. They need a comprehensive roadmap that empowers them to take control of their healing journey and rebuild their health, function, and quality of life.

By integrating Functional Medicine into recovery plans, injured workers can experience:

Reduced pain and inflammation
Improved energy and stamina
Better sleep and mood
Enhanced ability to return to work safely and confidently

Ready to Build Your Roadmap to Recovery?

If you or someone you love is caught in the cycle of pain and frustration after a work injury, Functional Medicine may be the missing piece. I’m here to help you explore your unique situation and design a personalized recovery plan.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00
Click here to book your session

August 08 2025

PROMIS — Listening to What the Patient Tells Us

By Dr. Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP, BC-FMP

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is transforming how healthcare providers understand recovery. Instead of focusing solely on lab values, imaging, or physical assessments, PROMIS centers on what patients themselves report about their health, symptoms, and function.

Developed through rigorous research and widely validated across many medical specialties, PROMIS tools measure important aspects of health, including:

Fatigue and energy levels
Pain intensity and pain interference in daily life
Physical function, such as mobility and strength
Emotional health and the ability to cope with stress

As a functional medicine nurse consultant supporting injured workers, I use PROMIS questionnaires to bring the patient’s voice into the center of care. These insights go beyond what clinical exams can show. For example, two people with the same back injury may have very different experiences of pain, resilience, and functional recovery. PROMIS helps capture those differences so treatment plans are tailored to the individual.

Listening with intention matters. When patients feel heard, they are more engaged in their own recovery. When providers have reliable patient-reported data, they can make better decisions about work accommodations, rehabilitation strategies, and ongoing care.

At JRM Nurse Consultants, our approach combines medical expertise with tools like PROMIS to ensure a whole-person view of recovery. Whether it’s guiding injured workers through the workers’ compensation process, supporting providers with functional assessments, or helping employers plan safe return-to-work pathways, patient-reported outcomes give us the missing piece of the puzzle: how recovery truly feels.

Recovery is more than what we see on paper. It is also what the patient tells us.

Need help navigating injury recovery, workers’ compensation, or case management support?
JRM Nurse Consultants offers compassionate, expert guidance for injured workers, providers, employers, and insurers.

Phone: 407-760-1662
Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Website: www.jrmnurseconsultants.com

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Years of experience in Work Comp, Case Management, Disease Management, Utilization Review and Prior Authorization.

Category Archives: Health/Wellness

Ozempic vs. Natural Weight Loss for Hormonal Balance and Injury Recovery

Inflammation: The Invisible Barrier to Healing

What Is Inflammation—and Why Does It Matter?

Clues That Inflammation Is Slowing You Down

How We Address Inflammation Functionally

Let’s Build Your Recovery Plan

The Hidden Reasons Injured Workers Don’t Fully Recover

Why Injured Workers Need More Than Pain Meds: The Functional Medicine Approach

PROMIS — Listening to What the Patient Tells Us