by Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer 

According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 60 percent of Americans have at least one chronic illness, and 90 percent of the nation’s annual $3.8 trillion healthcare costs can be traced back to that chronic illness epidemic.  

In this era of vast medical research and technological advancements, how is it possible that we as a culture have become progressively sicker? And what can be done to mitigate such outcomes? For this month’s Community Spotlight, I turned to Dr. Laura Korman to answer that question. As a practitioner of functional medicine and regenerative therapy, we can all benefit from her nuanced insights and expertise, which she was kind enough to share.   

Natural Awakenings: For those who might be unfamiliar, can you summarize what functional medicine and regenerative therapy entail?  

Dr. Laura Korman: Functional medicine is a holistic wellness framework that identifies and resolves the underlying root cause of an illness, rather than just masking the symptoms. It treats the body as a whole, realizing that we are all unique with different genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors, all of which influence our health. 

We can personalize functional medicine treatments based on tests that look deeper than traditional lab panels to include markers of inflammation, food sensitivities, and nutritional deficiencies. Urinary tests are used to identify oxidative stress, toxic overload, or imbalances in detoxification. Stool tests are another tool to identify gastrointestinal pathogens, dysbiosis, and the presence of digestive dysfunction. Genetic tests can also reveal specific information to form a customized treatment plan that allows someone to optimize their health as naturally as possible, using both nutritional and lifestyle strategies. 

Regenerative medicine is a quickly advancing area of medical science in which we optimize the recovery and repair of tissue, organ, and system damage. We accomplish this through specific modalities such as laser and pulsed electro-magnet field therapies, platelet-rich plasma, and tissue products from Wharton’s Jelly (a gelatinous substance that surrounds the umbilical cord of a healthy newborn infant).  

These include stem cells, as well as other anti-inflammatory molecules and growth factors. The regenerative products can be injected locally in areas of joint degeneration, torn muscles, tendons or ligaments, and nerve damage. Those injections decrease inflammation, reduce scars or adhesions, and rebuild tissues to accelerate healing. A combination of regenerative therapies and functional medicine (along with nutritional and lifestyle strategies) will promote vitality to maintain a long, active life.  

NA: What particular modalities do you practice, and how do they each contribute to a more holistic, sustainable wellness plan?   

Dr. Korman: Our office provides chiropractic care to gently optimize spinal alignment and function, which allows for increased mobility and slows the rate of spinal degeneration. We also offer massage therapy, deep tissue laser to alleviate pain and inflammation, and PEMF (pulsed elecro-magnetic field therapy to recharge cell degeneration in the body.  

In addition, we offer neck, low back, and knee decompression therapies to decrease articular pressures. We have a nurse practitioner on our team who performs regenerative medical injections for joint pain. We treat patients with neuropathy and use natural biologics to reduce wrinkles and improve collagen formation. I also offer nutritional consulting and functional medicine testing, either in-person or virtually through Zoom, to those with Florida residence who might not be local to the Suncoast area.  

NA: How do issues such as chronic inflammation, food sensitivities, and nutrient deficiencies impact different areas of the body?  

Dr. Korman: According to the World Health Organization, 85 percent of all chronic illnesses are caused by various lifestyle factors. Our daily habits influence our state of health—especially as we age. It’s difficult to maintain a nutritious diet as our soils increasingly lose their vital nutrients. Access to clean water is a challenge as well, due to the contamination of groundwater and pollution in our oceans, lakes, and rivers.  

In the place of essential nutrients, convenient, processed, sugary foods are becoming the norm for many of us, along with a sedentary indoor lifestyle, increased stress levels, and chronic sleep deprivation. These habits ultimately lead to increased inflammation, the root cause of nearly all chronic diseases. Habitual behaviors are often learned within family units, contributing to an earlier onset of chronic diseases from one generation to the next.  

Inflammation is systemic, which means it affects every tissue and organ in our bodies. Nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, stress levels, or inadequate sleep can exacerbate systemic inflammation which contributes to chronic pain, fatigue, skin rashes, migraines, bloating, IBS, or diarrhea. It’s crucial to identify sources of inflammation and resolve them in order to mitigate the development of chronic illness.  

NA: Can you describe where your passion to educate and empower others to maintain a longer, healthier, more active life stems from?  

Dr. Korman: I was raised by a health conscious mother, so physical activities and wellness practices have always been an integral part of my life. I became specifically interested in longevity strategies after the experience of watching my father slowly succumb to dementia. It was heart-wrenching to witness him lose the ability to navigate simple tasks, along with his personality, self-awareness, comprehension, and other facets of himself. 

After conducting research with several mentors, including Dr. Dale Bredesen, I learned there are at least 36 different contributing factors to dementia. All of these factors can be tested for, then managed (or even eliminated) to optimize brain function, especially in those who are generally susceptible to the illness. This information felt empowering, and I wanted to share it with my patients, so they too could take control of their own health and longevity.   

NA: What are some practical, accessible tips you would offer to help someone create daily habits that will promote long-term wellness?  

Dr. Korman: I have created a 28-day program called “INNATE28: Detox, Lose Weight, Regenerate.” The goal is to develop nutritional and lifestyle strategies that will decrease chronic pain, fatigue, excess fat, and brain fog. I outlined some key points on how to form healthy and sustainable new habits in a recent article for the January edition of Natural Awakenings, titled “How To Live Your Best Life Longer.”   

In this article, I explained the need to establish a strong “why” behind the habits you create. It’s also important to write down this “why” and paste it in visible locations to remind you of all the reasons you want to be healthier, mentally sharper, and more energetic. From there, you can take small, incremental action steps. Some of these can include consuming nutritious foods; exercising on a consistent basis; drinking more water; practicing mindfulness techniques to reduce stress; or prioritizing a healthy sleep routine.  

Finally, make a point to connect with others who are also committed to similar lifestyle changes and work with a functional medicine practitioner, who can help you detect the root causes of your health challenges or imbalances, then guide you on a course to experience the kind of life you that desire—and ultimately—deserve to live.  

Dr. Laura Korman, DC, is a functional medicine practitioner, chiropractor, and nutritional counselor. She is also the owner of Korman Relief and Wellness Center, located at 16954 Toledo Blade Blvd., Port Charlotte. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 941-629-6700 or visit DrLauraKorman.com.