Functional Medicine Foundations for Rehab and Nursing Professionals

Course overview

Chronic pain is complex, and traditional approaches often fail to address its root causes. Functional medicine offers a systems-based model that explores the biological, nutritional, hormonal, and lifestyle factors contributing to persistent pain. This course introduces rehabilitation and nursing professionals to the foundational principles of functional medicine and how they apply to chronic pain syndromes, fatigue, inflammation, and recovery barriers. Through case-based examples and practical tools, learners will explore topics such as hormonal imbalances, gut health, food sensitivities, mitochondrial dysfunction, and stress-related dysregulation. Designed for PTs, OTs, and nurses in outpatient, integrative, or chronic care settings, this course equips clinicians to recognize when deeper, system-level dysfunction may be influencing musculoskeletal pain and when collaboration with functional medicine specialists may enhance patient outcomes.