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Category Archives: Pain Management and Relief

December 12 2025

Exercising with Hip and Knee Pain: Why It Matters and How to Do It Safely

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Health/Wellness, Pain Management and Relief

Hip and knee pain, whether from aging, injury, or chronic conditions, can make movement feel intimidating. Many people naturally avoid exercise when joints hurt, but staying active is actually one of the most important ways to maintain strength, mobility, and overall function. Proper movement helps prevent stiffness, supports recovery, and can reduce future injury risk.

Understanding the cause of your pain is key. After an injury, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues around the hip and knee may weaken, leading to instability and altered movement patterns. Avoiding activity altogether can worsen weakness and reduce joint support, which may make pain and functional limitations more pronounced over time. Exercising with guidance helps rebuild strength safely.

Low-impact, joint-friendly exercises are often the most effective. Options like swimming, stationary cycling, resistance band work, gentle yoga, or targeted physical therapy routines allow you to strengthen muscles around the joints without excessive strain. Core strengthening also supports hip and knee stability by improving posture and alignment. Small, consistent movements improve flexibility, reduce pain, and enhance balance.

Patient Perspective:
Staying active with joint pain can feel intimidating, but small, manageable steps make a difference. Focusing on exercises that don’t aggravate your pain, combining strength with gentle stretching, and tracking progress gradually restores confidence and mobility. Pairing movement with proper nutrition and hydration supports overall recovery and joint health.

Nursing Perspective:
Nurses play an important role in guiding patients through safe activity after injury or with chronic joint pain. Demonstrating proper technique, suggesting modifications, monitoring for warning signs, and encouraging consistent participation ensures that exercises support recovery without causing harm. Education and reassurance empower patients to stay active while protecting their joints.

💡 Tip to Try This Week:
Select one low-impact exercise to support your hips and knees, such as a 10-minute stationary bike session, seated leg lifts, or gentle bridges. Focus on controlled movements and proper alignment. Consistency, even in small sessions, strengthens the muscles that support your joints, reduces pain, and improves overall mobility.

Written by Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, BC-FMP

November 11 2025

Strengthen Your Core Muscles to Support Your Back and Overall Health

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Health/Wellness, Pain Management and Relief

Back pain is one of the most common complaints among adults, and a weak core often plays a major role. The core isn’t just your abs — it includes the muscles around your pelvis, lower back, and hips. When these muscles are weak, your body compensates in ways that can lead to pain, poor posture, and even increased risk of injury. Strengthening your core can improve stability, reduce discomfort, and support everyday movements.

Core strength also impacts more than just your back. Strong core muscles help improve balance, protect joints, enhance athletic performance, and support functional activities like bending, lifting, or even standing for long periods. For patients recovering from injury, rehabilitation exercises often include gentle core strengthening to reduce recurrence of pain and improve overall function.

Nutrition and lifestyle habits support core health as well. Adequate protein helps muscles repair and grow, while staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy weight reduces unnecessary strain on the spine. Regular movement, even simple activities like walking or stretching, complements core exercises and helps prevent stiffness or inflammation that can worsen pain.

Patient Perspective:
Building core strength doesn’t have to be intimidating or time-consuming. Simple, consistent exercises — like planks, bridges, seated marches, or gentle pelvic tilts — can make a noticeable difference in stability and comfort. Practicing these movements daily, even for a few minutes, empowers you to take control of your back health and mobility.

Nursing Perspective:
Nurses play a critical role in guiding patients to safely strengthen their core. Providing instruction on proper technique, monitoring form, and suggesting modifications ensures that exercises are effective without causing additional strain. Encouraging consistency and helping patients set achievable goals increases adherence and improves outcomes.

💡 Tip to Try This Week:
Choose one core-strengthening exercise to incorporate into your daily routine, such as a 20-second plank, glute bridge, or seated abdominal contraction. Focus on proper form rather than duration or intensity, and repeat consistently. Pair with hydration and gentle stretching for optimal results. Even small, regular efforts help support your back, posture, and overall strength.

Written by Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, BC-FMP

September 09 2025

When Pain Is Persistent but the Cause Is Functional, Not Structural

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Health/Wellness, Pain Management and Relief

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

It’s frustrating when your MRI or other imaging shows no clear injury, yet you still experience pain that limits your daily activities—whether sitting, lifting, or walking. If you’ve been told “there’s nothing wrong,” but your body tells a different story, you’re not alone.

This is a common situation where the pain you feel is functional rather than structural. In other words, the problem isn’t always visible on scans because it involves how your nervous system, muscles, and other tissues are working—or not working—together.

Understanding Structural vs. Functional Pain

  • Structural pain comes from clear physical damage such as fractures, herniated discs, or inflammation visible on MRI or X-ray. This is often easier to diagnose and treat.
  • Functional pain arises from problems like muscle imbalances, nervous system dysregulation, poor posture, or ergonomic stress that aren’t seen on imaging but still cause significant discomfort.

When functional issues persist, the body can become stuck in patterns of tension, inflammation, and altered movement that amplify pain signals even without ongoing tissue damage.

Why Functional Pain Can Be So Challenging

  • Nervous system sensitization: The nerves become hyper-reactive and interpret normal signals as painful.
  • Muscle guarding and weakness: Overuse of some muscles and underuse of others cause imbalances and joint strain.
  • Poor ergonomics and repetitive strain: Workstation setup, repetitive motions, or bad posture can worsen symptoms.
  • Chronic inflammation: Even if no injury is detected, systemic inflammation can increase pain sensitivity.

Traditional imaging doesn’t capture these nuances, so many patients are left without answers or effective treatment plans.

How Functional Medicine Addresses Persistent Pain

Functional Medicine takes a holistic approach by assessing the whole body and lifestyle factors contributing to pain. This may include:

  • Comprehensive functional lab testing for inflammation, hormones, and nutrient status
  • Personalized nutrition and anti-inflammatory strategies
  • Nervous system calming techniques and movement therapies
  • Ergonomic assessment and guidance to prevent further strain
  • Stress management tools to reduce cortisol and improve healing

By addressing both the physical and systemic contributors, we can break the cycle of persistent pain and restore function.

Your Next Step

If your MRI is “clean” but the pain remains, don’t settle for unanswered questions. A detailed evaluation can uncover hidden factors and create a personalized recovery plan.

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

For patients needing support with their work or home setups, ergonomic evaluations can also be coordinated to reduce mechanical stress.

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

September 09 2025

“Is It Nerve Damage or Something Else?”

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Pain Management and Relief

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant

You’re feeling tingling, weakness, numbness, or maybe even burning pain. Your arm or leg “gives out” unexpectedly. The symptoms are persistent and frustrating.

You go to your doctor, and they run a nerve conduction study (NCS) and EMG. The results come back: normal.

And yet—you still don’t feel normal. You’re still struggling.

This is one of the most common complaints I hear from my patients. They’ve been told, “There’s nothing wrong with you,” even though their symptoms clearly suggest something is off. They leave the doctor’s office with no plan, no answers, and often no validation that what they’re experiencing is real.

But here’s the truth: a normal EMG/NCS does not rule out nerve dysfunction. It simply means there was no detectable damage to the large motor nerves at the time of the test. It doesn’t measure nerve inflammation, chemical irritation, nutrient deficiencies, or small-fiber nerve involvement.

That’s where functional medicine comes in.

Why Functional Medicine Looks Deeper
Functional medicine doesn’t just look at your nerves—it looks at what’s affecting them.

If your nerves are struggling to perform, there’s usually an upstream issue that traditional tests aren’t designed to detect. That might include:

  • Chronic inflammation that’s irritating nerve endings
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (especially B12, folate, magnesium, or D3)
  • Blood sugar dysregulation that can mimic neuropathy—even in non-diabetics
  • Gut dysfunction limiting nutrient absorption or contributing to autoimmune attacks
  • Toxic exposures from mold, heavy metals, or medications
  • Adrenal dysfunction due to chronic stress
  • Hidden infections such as Lyme or Epstein-Barr
  • Trauma and emotional stress locked in the nervous system, disrupting healing

Most of these factors don’t show up on conventional nerve tests—but they absolutely can impair nerve function.

Real Answers for Ongoing Symptoms
I work with patients who have been told nothing is wrong with them—only to later discover deep imbalances driving their pain, weakness, or numbness. Some are injured workers trying to return to a job but feel physically limited. Others are parents, professionals, or caregivers simply trying to get their life back.

Together, we build a personalized plan to reduce inflammation, restore nerve nutrition, support the stress response, and repair function.

If your nerves feel “off” but your tests say otherwise—let’s talk.
For just $25, you can book a 1-on-1 Functional Recovery Consult with me and get a clear next step forward.

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

Contact Info:
Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Doctor of Nursing Practice | Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant
Serving Orlando and Central Florida
407-760-1662 | rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
www.jrmnurseconsultants.com

August 08 2025

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

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Health/Wellness, Pain Management and Relief, Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Health

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:

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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

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

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