Tag Archives: #FunctionalMedicine

The Truth About ‘Normal’ Lab Results—and Why You Still Feel Off

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

Many patients feel frustrated and confused after being told by their healthcare providers that their lab results are “normal,” yet they continue to struggle with symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, digestive problems, or unexplained pain. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and it doesn’t mean your concerns are invalid.

So, what does “normal” really mean in lab testing? Conventional labs use broad reference ranges that cover a large portion of the population, primarily designed to detect overt disease or significant abnormalities. These ranges often miss subtle but important imbalances that can impact your daily health and well-being.

Functional medicine, on the other hand, focuses on “optimal” ranges—narrower parameters aimed at identifying early signs of dysfunction before full-blown disease develops. For example, your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) may fall within the conventional normal range but be high enough to cause fatigue, weight gain, or mood changes. Similarly, inflammation markers or vitamin levels can be technically “normal” but not ideal for your body’s optimal function.

When lab tests don’t explain your symptoms, it’s a signal to explore further. Functional medicine utilizes specialized testing beyond standard panels, such as comprehensive hormone profiles, gut microbiome analysis, nutrient and mineral panels, and advanced inflammatory markers. These tests provide a more complete picture of what’s really going on inside your body.

Understanding these nuances empowers you to make informed decisions about your health and work toward true root-cause healing rather than just masking symptoms.

If you’ve been told your labs are “normal” but you still don’t feel like yourself, a Functional Health Consultation can help. We’ll review your test results in detail, discuss your symptoms, and design a personalized plan that supports your body’s unique needs and promotes lasting wellness.

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

Contact:
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

When Workers’ Comp Closes Your Case, But You’re Not Better

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

Many injured workers face a frustrating reality: after months or even years of treatment, their workers’ compensation case is closed, yet the pain, fatigue, and functional limitations remain. The system has its limits, often focusing on acute injury care and symptom management—but what happens when you’re left with ongoing issues that don’t fit neatly into traditional protocols?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and there is another way forward.

Why Does Workers’ Comp Close Cases Before Full Healing?
Workers’ compensation programs typically aim to resolve claims efficiently, returning employees to work as soon as possible or declaring them at Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). However, MMI does not always mean you feel fully healed or ready to resume your full quality of life. Often, the system’s focus is on visible, structural injuries and symptom control rather than addressing deeper, complex healing needs.

Many injured workers who experience lingering pain, brain fog, emotional stress, or hormonal imbalances find themselves without a clear treatment plan once their case closes. This gap can lead to frustration, hopelessness, and even worsening symptoms.

How Functional Medicine Supports You When the System Stops
Functional Medicine offers a comprehensive, personalized approach that goes beyond symptom suppression. We look at the whole person—body, mind, and environment—to uncover hidden imbalances and barriers to recovery that traditional care might miss.

For injured workers, this means:

  • Identifying chronic inflammation that delays healing
  • Addressing hormonal disruptions caused by prolonged stress
  • Supporting nervous system recovery after trauma
  • Healing gut health to improve nutrient absorption and reduce pain
  • Managing emotional and psychological stressors that impede progress

This approach empowers you to take control of your recovery, restoring function and improving your quality of life even after your workers’ comp case is officially closed.

Your Next Natural Step: Functional Recovery Consultation
If your workers’ compensation case has ended but you still struggle with pain, fatigue, or limitations, scheduling a Functional Recovery Consultation with me is the next step. Together, we will develop a tailored plan that supports your body’s innate ability to heal, addressing root causes and helping you regain vitality.

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

Contact Information
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: jrmnurseconsultants.com

Hormones, Healing, and Hidden Imbalances

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

Many women expect some pain and discomfort after an injury—whether from a car accident, a fall, or even an emotionally traumatic event. But what most don’t expect is how long that pain and fatigue can linger. It’s frustrating when you’re doing “everything right”—attending physical therapy, following up with doctors, taking medications as prescribed—yet you still feel exhausted, moody, and unlike yourself.

You may find yourself thinking:

  • “Why am I so tired all the time?”
  • “Why do I feel depressed or anxious when I never used to?”
  • “Why can’t I sleep through the night anymore?”
  • “Why does my weight keep creeping up, even though I haven’t changed my diet?”

These questions are valid. And you’re not imagining things.

The truth is, injury recovery is about more than healing bones, muscles, or tissues. There is often a hidden layer of disruption that traditional medicine doesn’t always address: hormonal imbalance.

How Injuries Trigger Hormonal Disruption

When you experience trauma—whether physical or emotional—your body activates its internal alarm system, also known as the stress response. This process, regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, signals your adrenal glands to produce cortisol and other stress hormones.

Initially, this is a helpful and protective mechanism. But when stress becomes chronic—such as when you’re in ongoing pain, dealing with disrupted sleep, or experiencing financial or emotional stress after an injury—it can throw your hormonal system completely out of balance.

Over time, this can lead to:

  • Adrenal fatigue (feeling wired but tired, or just completely drained)
  • Thyroid dysfunction (which affects metabolism, energy, and mood)
  • Imbalances in estrogen and progesterone (leading to mood swings, irregular periods, or worsened PMS)
  • Blood sugar instability
  • Slowed tissue repair and inflammation that won’t resolve

Unfortunately, many of these issues don’t show up clearly on standard labs. You may be told that everything is “normal,” but you still don’t feel right. That’s where functional medicine can offer real answers.

Why Women Are Especially Affected

Women’s hormonal systems are incredibly intricate and sensitive to stress. After an injury, even subtle changes in sleep, inflammation, or nutrient depletion can create a cascade effect—disrupting everything from your monthly cycle to your ability to think clearly and manage your emotions.

If you’re also a caregiver, a professional, or simply trying to get back to your routine, the pressure to “push through” can further delay recovery. Many women feel guilty for slowing down or seeking help—so they suffer in silence while their bodies quietly burn out.

The good news? You don’t have to.

Functional Support for Hormone Health and Recovery

At JRM Nurse Consultants, we take a different approach. We start by listening to your story—how the injury happened, what you’ve experienced since, and how your symptoms are impacting your life. Then, using advanced functional lab testing and clinical assessments, we help you uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.

We explore key areas like:

  • Adrenal function and cortisol patterns
  • Thyroid health (not just TSH, but full thyroid panels)
  • Female hormone balance
  • Inflammatory markers
  • Nutrient levels and gut health
  • Sleep and nervous system recovery

You’ll receive a personalized recovery roadmap that doesn’t just treat symptoms—it restores balance.

It’s Time to Feel Like Yourself Again

If you’re tired of being told “everything looks fine” when you know something is off, trust your instincts. Your symptoms are messages. And healing is possible—especially when we address the root causes and support the body’s natural ability to rebalance.

Initial Functional Health Consultation: $25.00

Once you are ready for the next step after the initial consult, it will allow us to review your health history, current concerns, and determine the best path forward for healing. This is not just another appointment—it’s a starting point for real answers and individualized care.

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

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

Email: rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com
Phone: 407-760-1662
Fax: 727-279-2103
Website: https://jrmnurseconsultants.com

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

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

Supplements with Thorne

At JRM Nurse Consulting, we’re committed to helping you feel your best with professional-grade supplements you can trust. That’s why we partner with Thorne, a leader in functional medicine and wellness products backed by science and high-quality standards.

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