Tag Archives: #HolisticHealth

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:

  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

Why You’re Still in Pain After the MRI Says You’re Fine

By Dr. Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, LEHP, BC-FMP
Functional Medicine Nurse Consultant | JRM Nurse Consultants
https://jrmnurseconsultants.com

“There’s nothing more we can do.”

If you’ve been injured, seen an orthopedic specialist, had all the tests, and still heard those words—you’re not alone.
Maybe your MRI came back “normal” or showed only mild bulging. The doctor reassured you it wasn’t serious. Yet you’re still dealing with pain, fatigue, or even nerve symptoms like leg weakness and instability.

So now what?

You’re still in pain, but the system is finished with you. You’re told to rest, maybe try more PT, and wait it out. Some are even told the pain is “in their head.”

But here’s the truth: the absence of major structural injury does NOT mean you’re fine.

What Traditional Imaging Can Miss

MRIs and X-rays are powerful—but limited. They’re excellent for detecting major injuries like herniated discs or fractures. But they can miss:

  • Chronic inflammation
  • Nerve dysfunction without compression
  • Muscle imbalances
  • Central sensitization (when your nervous system becomes hypersensitive to pain)

These are functional issues, not structural ones. That’s where functional medicine steps in.

What Is Functional Medicine for Injury Recovery?

Functional medicine looks beyond symptoms and imaging to uncover why your body is still struggling.
At JRM Nurse Consultants, I take a whole-person approach. That includes:

  • Reviewing your sleep, stress, and nutrition
  • Looking at nerve health and inflammatory patterns
  • Understanding how trauma, hormones, and gut health affect your healing

Whether it’s a teen injured at work, a nurse hurt on the job, or a parent still exhausted after being cleared—if you’re not getting answers, this approach is for you.

The Good News: You’re Not Stuck

You don’t have to live in chronic pain, even if the system has discharged you.
You don’t have to wait until things get worse to seek help.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Ready to Be Heard?

I offer a $25 Functional Recovery Assessment to help you finally feel seen and supported.
In this one-on-one session, we’ll talk about your injury, your symptoms, and your healing goals. Then I’ll outline how we can work together to rebuild strength, reduce pain, and restore function—naturally.

👉 Book Now: https://jrmnurseconsultants.com
💲 Cost: $25 (applied toward your care plan if you move forward)
📩 Questions? Email rosie@jrmnurseconsultants.com

Because when your MRI says you’re fine—but your body says you’re not—it’s time for a new plan.