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I understand the frustration of chronic symptoms and the confusion when your lab tests show normal results but you still don't feel well. I know how disheartening it can be to follow a healthy lifestyle yet struggle with weight loss. I know what it feels like to exercise, yet have trouble building muscle. And I also know how it feels to get older, feeling less vibrant and strong than you were before. I’ve been in all of these situations! With 20 years of nursing experience, I've seen patients receive treatments and medications without really understanding them at times, so if you have a chronic condition, I’ll help you understand it, and how it plays into your overall health. But no matter what obstacles there are to feeling your best, I'll work to identify the root cause of your symptoms and develop a personalized plan to help you feel great and regain your health. We'll address factors like diet, sleep, exercise, stress, and environmental toxins to build an actionable, sustainable plan for a happier, healthier you.

Do I really need a Health Coach?  What do they do, exactly? 

Functional Medicine Health Coaches use functional medicine principles & positive psychology coaching techniques to:

  • Educate clients and help them understand their doctor’s plan of care

  • Offer tools and accountability when clients implement new lifestyle changes

  • Motivate clients using positive psychology techniques

  • Guide clients through dietary changes or prescribed food plans

  • Support clients seeking to incorporate movement and exercise into their daily routines

  • Inform clients of ways to improve sleep quality, manage stress, and cultivate mindfulness

  • Help clients identify opportunities to nurture their mental, emotional, and spiritual health

  • Work directly with the client’s practitioner when appropriate

  • Offer resources on chronic illness management and lifestyle changes

  • Celebrate successes and encourage progress

  • And more

While health coaches provide support, guidance, and motivation, they do not replace medical care from a medical professional. Health coaches do not diagnose medical conditions or prescribe treatments. Instead, they act as supportive partners in facilitating positive changes for individuals’ overall well-being.

Research shows that health coaching is effective for addressing a wide variety of conditions and health goals, including but not limited to: Chronic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, hypertension, dementia, obesity, smoking cessation, improved nutrition, improved sleep, lower LDL cholesterol. diet compliance, and improved quality of life.  (from Functional Nurse Academy)

What is integrative or holistic health?

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Integrative health is a holistic approach to wellness that emphasizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. This approach is often framed through the lens of seven key pillars:

  1. Mind-Body Connection: Integrative health recognizes the profound impact that mental and emotional states have on physical health. Practices like mindfulness and meditation are integral, as they help manage stress, promote emotional balance, and support overall well-being.

  2. Nutrition: A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is central to integrative health. It’s not just about eating healthy foods but also understanding how dietary choices affect physical health, energy levels, and mood.

  3. Physical Activity: Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining physical health, but in integrative health, it also supports mental and emotional well-being. Activities like yoga and tai chi exemplify how movement can harmonize the body and mind.

  4. Sleep: Quality sleep is vital for recovery and health. Integrative health addresses sleep hygiene and the importance of restful sleep for maintaining overall health and mental clarity.

  5. Social Connections: Healthy relationships and social support are essential for emotional well-being. Integrative health values strong, supportive social networks as a key component of overall health.

  6. Purpose and Meaning: Finding purpose and meaning in life contributes to mental and emotional health. Engaging in fulfilling activities and setting personal goals can enhance life satisfaction and resilience.

  7. Healing Environments: The physical environment plays a role in health. Integrative health emphasizes creating and maintaining spaces that promote relaxation and well-being, from soothing home environments to supportive workspaces.

Together, these pillars create a comprehensive framework that addresses all aspects of a person's health, aiming to achieve balance and harmony through a synergistic approach to wellness.

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Why functional lab testing vs. conventional lab testing?

Functional lab testing and conventional lab testing serve different purposes in healthcare, each offering unique insights into an individual's health.

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Conventional Lab Testing: This type of testing focuses on diagnosing specific diseases and conditions based on established medical standards. It typically measures biomarkers such as blood glucose levels, cholesterol, and liver enzymes. Conventional tests are highly valuable for detecting and managing acute health issues or chronic diseases. They are often used to confirm a diagnosis and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

 

Functional Lab Testing: In contrast, functional lab testing is designed to assess how well various systems in the body are functioning, often before symptoms of disease become evident. It looks at a broader range of biomarkers to evaluate factors such as nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic processes. Functional tests can help identify underlying issues that might not be detectable through conventional tests, providing a more comprehensive view of an individual’s health. For example, functional tests might analyze gut health, adrenal function, or detoxification pathways, offering insights into how these factors might be influencing overall well-being.

 

In summary, while conventional lab testing is crucial for diagnosing and managing specific conditions, functional lab testing offers a more detailed look at how different aspects of health are interconnected and looks for the root cause of health conditions and symptoms. This can help in proactively addressing potential issues before they manifest as more serious problems and in optimizing overall health.

If I clean up my diet, why do I need
supplements? Can’t I get everything I need from my diet?

Many supplements are needed for a short time to replace something you may be deficient in initially and can be stopped after a few months.  Other supplements, like Vitamin D and Omega-3s may need to be continued. But the main reason that so many of us are vitamin deficient has to do with the consumption of ultra-processed foods and the lack of nutrients in our fruits, vegetables, and meats. Unfortunately, the soil around the world has become depleted of essential nutrients due to over-farming (practices that don't allow the land to rest and don't include non-commercial crops that replenish the soil.) Traditional crop rotation methods, once common, helped maintain nutrient levels and prevented certain pests from becoming problematic. However, due to government and corporate farming practices, many farmers now repeatedly plant the same crop to make a living, leading to deteriorating soil structure. In essence, reduced crop diversity results in poorer soil nutrients. Additionally, pesticides, which often include neurotoxins, further degrade soil quality and can be detected in many people's bodies. Poor soil quality also affects meat quality when livestock are fed grains and soy grown in nutrient-depleted soil or treated with pesticides and growth hormones.

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