Tag Archives: #HolisticHealing

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

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

Why Injured Teens Need More Than Just Physical Therapy

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

When a teen gets injured, the first line of treatment often involves physical therapy, rest, and sometimes medication. While these interventions are important, many parents find themselves frustrated when their child’s recovery is slower or more complicated than expected. Why does this happen?

The answer lies in understanding that teen bodies are not just smaller versions of adults. Adolescence is a time of rapid growth, hormonal shifts, and brain development—all of which influence how the body responds to injury and heals.

The Unique Challenges of Teen Recovery

  1. Hormonal Fluctuations Affect Healing
    During puberty, hormone levels such as estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol fluctuate widely. These hormones play a key role in regulating inflammation and tissue repair. Imbalances or stress-induced disruptions can delay healing or increase pain sensitivity.
  2. Stress Levels Can Be Overlooked
    Teens face significant stressors—from school demands and social pressures to the emotional toll of injury itself. Chronic stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight system, leading to elevated cortisol that can suppress immune function and increase inflammation, slowing recovery.
  3. Nutritional Needs Are Critical and Often Missed
    Growing bodies require ample nutrients—especially protein, vitamins D and B-complex, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids—to rebuild tissues and support brain function. Poor diet or undiagnosed absorption issues can undermine healing efforts.
  4. Nervous System Sensitivity and Pain Processing
    Teens may experience heightened nervous system sensitivity after trauma. This can manifest as increased pain perception, muscle tension, or sleep disturbances, which are not always addressed by physical therapy alone.
  5. Emotional and Psychological Factors
    The psychological impact of injury on teens is often underestimated. Anxiety, frustration, or fear about recovery can influence pain levels and motivation for rehabilitation. Addressing emotional health is essential for full healing.

How Functional Medicine Supports Teen Recovery

Functional Medicine looks beyond just the injury site. It considers the whole person—biochemistry, lifestyle, emotional health, and environment—to create a personalized healing plan. For teens, this means:

  • Hormone balancing through nutrition, lifestyle, and when needed, lab testing
  • Stress management techniques including mindfulness, breathing exercises, and gentle movement
  • Nutritional optimization to fill gaps and support tissue repair
  • Nervous system support to calm hypersensitivity and improve sleep
  • Emotional coaching to help teens cope with the mental strain of injury

Together with you and your teen, I work to identify hidden barriers to healing and provide practical tools that empower faster, safer recovery.

Your Teen Deserves More Than a One-Size-Fits-All Approach

If your child’s recovery feels stuck or they are struggling with lingering pain, fatigue, or mood changes, it’s time to explore a deeper level of care. Early intervention can prevent chronic issues and set your teen on a healthier path—not just physically but emotionally and mentally as well.

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

From Burnout to Balance: Functional Medicine for Stress and Fatigue

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

If you wake up tired, depend on coffee to get through the day, or feel like your body is stuck in survival mode, you are likely experiencing stress-related fatigue—sometimes called burnout. Unlike ordinary tiredness, burnout impacts your body, mind, and emotions deeply and can linger for weeks, months, or even years if left unaddressed.

Why Does Burnout Happen?

Burnout results from chronic, unresolved stress that overwhelms your body’s natural ability to adapt and recover. The adrenal glands—small organs that produce cortisol and other hormones—can become overworked, leading to adrenal fatigue or dysregulation. This, in turn, disrupts your hormonal balance and nervous system function, leaving you feeling drained, irritable, and unable to focus.

At the same time, stress impacts your blood sugar regulation, digestion, and sleep quality, creating a vicious cycle that makes recovery challenging.

What Functional Medicine Offers That Conventional Care Often Misses

Traditional approaches tend to focus on managing symptoms with medications or advising rest. While helpful in some cases, these do not address the root causes of burnout.

Functional Medicine looks at the whole person—your lifestyle, environment, nutrition, genetics, and emotional well-being—to design a personalized recovery plan. The goal is to support your body’s natural healing pathways so you can regain energy, clarity, and emotional balance.

Key Areas We Address Together

  • Adrenal Health: Supporting healthy cortisol rhythms through targeted nutrition and lifestyle changes to restore energy and resilience.
  • Blood Sugar Balance: Stabilizing blood sugar to prevent energy crashes and mood swings with diet and supplementation.
  • Gut-Brain Axis: Healing your digestive system to reduce inflammation and improve mental clarity and mood.
  • Nervous System Regulation: Incorporating mind-body practices such as breathing techniques, meditation, or gentle movement to calm the stress response.
  • Adaptogenic Herbs: Using natural plant-based supplements like ashwagandha, rhodiola, or holy basil to help your body adapt to stress.

The Road to Recovery

Recovery from burnout is a journey, not a quick fix. Many clients find that making gradual, sustainable changes under guidance yields the best results—feeling less overwhelmed and more empowered every step of the way.

If you’re tired of pushing through exhaustion and ready to reclaim your life, I invite you to begin your healing journey today.

Your Next Step: Personalized Support

Schedule your Initial Functional Health Consultation for only $25.00. We’ll take a detailed look at your unique health picture, including your stressors, symptoms, and lifestyle, to develop a plan tailored to your needs.

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