Tag Archives: Functional Medicine

“What If We Could Get Them Back to Work Safely—Without the Headaches?”: The Employer’s Dilemma

By Dr. Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP, BC-FMP
“Understanding the Human Side of Injury Recovery: Real Stories, Real Struggles, Real Solutions” – Part 3 of 3

Carlos’s Story:
Carlos watched as his top technician suffered a serious injury on the job. Productivity dipped, paperwork piled up, and Carlos worried not just about the immediate costs but whether his employee would ever return — and how he would replace him if he didn’t.

For employers, workplace injuries aren’t just about dollars and cents. They’re about the heart of the business — the people.

The High Cost of Uncertainty
Injuries impact:

  • Financial bottom lines due to lost productivity and workers’ compensation claims

  • Legal risks from non-compliance or improper accommodations

  • Employee morale and workplace culture are affected when injured workers feel unsupported

Trying to Do the Right Thing, But…
Employers juggle:

  • Coordinating between doctors, insurers, injured workers, and HR

  • Managing accommodations while keeping the business running smoothly

  • Communicating effectively despite complex systems and multiple stakeholders

Workforce Wellness Beyond Checklists
Real recovery means:

  • Supporting injured employees as whole people, not just cases

  • Early intervention to prevent complications

  • Offering resources that address physical, emotional, and social needs

How I Make It Easier
As a functional medicine nurse consultant and injured worker advocate, I help employers:

  • Coordinate care efficiently to reduce downtime

  • Implement early, personalized intervention strategies

  • Provide wellness resources that lower claims and improve retention

The Business Case for Functional Support
Investing in comprehensive care means:

  • Fewer lost workdays

  • Happier, healthier employees

  • Stronger, more resilient teams

Call to Action:
Let’s talk about reducing lost time, improving morale, and keeping your workforce healthy and engaged.
Schedule a free discovery call or visit jrmnurseconsultants.com

“I’m Not Just Treating a Back—There’s a Person Behind That Pain”: What Doctors Are Really Facing

By Dr. Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP, BC-FMP
“Understanding the Human Side of Injury Recovery: Real Stories, Real Struggles, Real Solutions” – Part 2 of 3


Dr. Patel’s Day

Dr. Patel glanced at her overflowing patient list. One after another, she saw patients struggling with chronic pain, complicated workers’ comp cases, and frustrated employers breathing down her neck for updates. There simply wasn’t enough time to give each person the whole care they deserved.

She wanted to do more—understand their stories, connect the dots, and help them heal completely. But the pressure of paperwork, insurance approvals, and employer demands left her exhausted and often feeling like she was just putting out fires.


The Pressure Cooker of Clinical Practice

Doctors and medical providers are caught in a high-stakes balancing act every day. They strive to:

  • Deliver quality patient care while managing mounting administrative tasks

  • Navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation regulations

  • Communicate with employers, insurers, and patients who each have different priorities

  • Keep up-to-date with evolving treatment guidelines and functional medicine advances

This tightrope walk often leaves little room to address the root causes behind pain or chronic conditions.


Caught in the Middle

Providers frequently find themselves stuck between:

  • Patients hoping for relief and understanding

  • Insurers demanding cost-effective, evidence-based treatments

  • Employers needing timely, safe return-to-work plans

Miscommunications can lead to delayed approvals, treatment gaps, and increased frustration for everyone involved.


The Gaps No One Sees

Beyond the clinical symptoms are the psychosocial factors: anxiety, fear, family stress, and workplace pressures. Without time or resources to explore these fully, patient outcomes may suffer.

This is where collaborative care models—like incorporating functional medicine and personalized case management—can bridge the gap.


Functional Medicine as a Collaborative Bridge

I partner with providers like Dr. Patel to complement their care by:

  • Offering root-cause evaluations that consider lifestyle, nutrition, and stress

  • Coordinating between medical providers, employers, and insurers

  • Supporting patients emotionally and educationally throughout recovery

  • Reducing provider administrative burden with clear communication and updates

Together, we create a smoother, more comprehensive healing experience.


Let’s Work Together

If you’re a provider facing these challenges, I’d love to discuss how my functional medicine nurse consulting can lighten your load and improve your patients’ outcomes.


Call to Action:
Let me help you create smoother recoveries and stronger outcomes—for your patients and your peace of mind.
Contact me for a collaboration conversation: jrmnurseconsultants.com

“I Just Want to Feel Like Myself Again”: The Silent Struggles of Injured Workers

By Dr. Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP, BC-FMP
“Understanding the Human Side of Injury Recovery: Real Stories, Real Struggles, Real Solutions” – Part 1 of 3


Maria’s Story

Maria didn’t expect that one wrong move while lifting a box would change everything. She thought it was a simple strain. But the pain lingered. Then came the doctor visits, physical therapy appointments, confusing paperwork, insurance delays, and endless uncertainty.

Three months later, she was still out of work — physically hurting, emotionally drained, and terrified of losing the job she loved.

“I just want to feel like myself again,” she whispered through tears.

Maria isn’t alone.


The Hidden Emotional Toll

Workplace injuries don’t just affect the body — they shake a person’s entire identity. Many injured workers feel:

  • Anxious about how long recovery will take

  • Isolated from coworkers, routines, and daily purpose

  • Ashamed for being “the one who got hurt”

  • Powerless in a system that seems more focused on paperwork than people

Pain becomes more than physical. It’s emotional. Mental. Spiritual. And too often, invisible.


Stuck in the System

Most injured workers have never navigated workers’ comp before.
They’re suddenly thrown into:

  • Complex forms and denials

  • Conflicting advice from doctors, employers, and insurers

  • Appointments that focus on symptoms, not solutions

It’s easy to feel like a case number — not a person.

And when healing stalls or setbacks happen, many begin to wonder: “Will I ever feel normal again?”


The Fear No One Talks About

Behind the pain is a deeper fear:

  • “What if I can’t go back to work?”

  • “Will they replace me?”

  • “How will I support my family?”

This fear steals sleep, strains marriages, and can trigger depression.

That’s why recovery needs more than pills and paperwork — it needs compassionate, coordinated care.


What Real Support Looks Like

I’ve worked with countless workers like Maria. Here’s what changes everything:

  • Personalized recovery plans that address the root causes of pain, not just mask symptoms

  • Clear education so clients understand their body, options, and expected timeline

  • Emotional support and advocacy through every step of the system

  • Functional medicine strategies that improve sleep, reduce inflammation, and restore energy

Because when someone feels seen and supported, healing speeds up.


How I Can Help

If you or someone you love is feeling lost in the recovery process, I’m here to help.

As a nurse consultant and functional medicine provider, I work one-on-one with injured workers to create recovery strategies that restore function, reduce pain, and support safe return to work.

You’re not a claim. You’re a whole person — and you deserve care that reflects that.


Call to Action

You don’t have to go through this alone.
Let’s talk about a plan that puts your recovery — and your life — back on track.
Schedule a discovery call or visit jrmnurseconsultants.com

5 Signs Your Hormones Might Be Holding You Back

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

Hormones play a powerful role in every aspect of your health — from your energy and mood to weight, sleep, and overall well-being. When they’re out of balance, it can feel like an invisible barrier holding you back from living your best life.

If you’ve been struggling but can’t quite put your finger on why, your hormones might be the missing piece.

Here are 5 signs your hormones could be holding you back:

1. Unexplained Fatigue
No matter how much you sleep, you feel drained and sluggish. Hormonal imbalances — especially thyroid, adrenal, or sex hormones — can disrupt your energy levels.

2. Mood Swings and Anxiety
Irritability, anxiety, or feeling “off” emotionally can be linked to fluctuating or low hormone levels. These shifts affect brain chemistry and stress response.

3. Weight Struggles Despite Diet and Exercise
If your weight won’t budge or you’re gaining weight unexpectedly, hormones like insulin, cortisol, and estrogen could be sabotaging your efforts.

4. Sleep Difficulties
Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Hormones regulate your circadian rhythm and melatonin production. Imbalances may be disrupting your rest.

5. Irregular or Painful Menstrual Cycles
Skipped periods, heavy bleeding, or severe cramps often signal underlying hormone issues like estrogen dominance or progesterone deficiency.

Why It Matters
Ignoring these signs can lead to worsening symptoms and increased risk for chronic conditions. The good news? Hormone imbalances can be addressed safely and effectively with the right support.

How I Can Help
As a functional medicine nurse consultant with expertise in hormone health and stress management, I partner with women to identify root causes and develop personalized plans for hormone balance, improved energy, mood, and overall wellness.

If these signs sound familiar, don’t wait. You deserve to feel like yourself again.

Let’s Talk
Schedule a discovery call today and take the first step toward reclaiming your health and vitality.

Visit jrmnurseconsultants.com to learn more.

Florida Workers’ Compensation: Clarifying the 30-Day Work Status Update Requirement

By Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant & Workers’ Compensation Case Manager

One of the most common questions I receive from providers is whether they need to see an injured worker every 30 days to update their work status. While Florida Statute § 440.13(2)(c) is often cited, there tends to be confusion surrounding its interpretation.

Here’s what the statute actually says:

“The physician shall release the employee to return to work with or without restrictions, and such release shall be reported to the employer and the carrier. The physician shall reevaluate the injured worker at intervals not exceeding 30 days, unless the carrier authorizes less frequent visits.”

But what does this really mean in practical terms?

It does not mean the provider must physically see the patient every 30 days. Rather, they must ensure that updated work status documentation is issued at least every 30 days. If the worker has not been seen in person but continues under care with no change in status, the provider may issue a note or DWC-25 indicating that the work status remains the same and that it is being continued based on previous clinical findings.

This clarification is essential, especially for providers managing high caseloads or patients with chronic injuries who may not require in-person follow-up that frequently.

Best Practice Tip:
Document clearly that the extension of restrictions or duty status is based on prior clinical evaluation, and indicate the date of the last in-person visit. This keeps the employer, insurer, and injured worker all aligned.

If you’re a provider navigating Florida workers’ compensation cases and want help streamlining your documentation while remaining compliant, I’m here to help.

Contact Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LEHP, LNC, BC-FMP
Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Phone: 407-760-1662
Website: www.jrmnurseconsultants.com