Have you ever been told your blood work looks fine—even though you feel anything but fine?

You're not alone. Dr. Anjali, founder of Back and Balance and the Healthy Human Program, explains why many people are stuck in this confusing place and what to do next.

We have a free masterclass at the bottom of this blog - don't miss it!

Meet Dr. Anjali

As a non-cracking chiropractor and an integrative functional nutrition specialist, Dr. Anjali helps individuals and workplaces improve their health using a 360 approach. She’s passionate about nervous system regulation through movement, nutrition, and lifestyle.

The Problem With “Normal” Blood Work

In the U.S., lab reference ranges are based on the previous year’s results from the lab’s patient population. These ranges reflect where about 85–90% of people fall—not necessarily where healthy people fall. This means you could feel unwell but still fall into the “normal” range.

Functional Medicine’s Better Question: “How Close to Optimal Are You?”

Functional medicine looks beyond whether you are simply in or out of range. It evaluates how close you are to the optimal range, which is based on broader, long-term national data. This helps catch imbalances earlier and get to the root cause of symptoms.

Don’t Just Treat the Numbers—Understand the Patterns

Let’s say your vitamin D is low. A typical solution is to take a supplement. But what if your body can’t absorb it? Functional medicine digs deeper—checking your digestion, fat absorption, and other nutrients—so you don’t just treat symptoms but understand the full picture.

Blood Work Reflects Adaptation, Not Just Illness

Your body prioritizes blood health above all. If your blood needs calcium, your body may pull it from your bones. So “normal” levels in your blood could mean your body is borrowing from vital stores. Functional medicine looks at how your body is adapting and what it's sacrificing to maintain balance.

The Health Spectrum: Where Are You Really?

Blood tests usually catch issues in the final 10–15% of the health decline spectrum. But they don’t reveal the whole story. If you're tired or dealing with digestion problems, and your labs look fine, your body could still be struggling under the surface.

Symptoms Are Clues, Not the Problem

Symptoms are your body's way of saying it’s overwhelmed. These can be caused by three main types of stress:

• Physical stress (like injury or poor posture)

• Mental/emotional stress (anxiety, trauma, chronic worry)

• Nutritional/chemical stress (toxins, poor digestion, food sensitivities)

Most people experience a mix. Understanding your unique combination helps create a personalized plan to build your body’s foundation.

Build a Stronger Foundation, Not Just a Quick Fix

Instead of putting out fires, Dr. Anjali teaches how to strengthen your body so it’s less likely to get overwhelmed in the first place. This includes small daily habits in movement, food, and mindset to help your body thrive.

Learn More in the Masterclass

Want to know what your “normal” labs aren’t telling you? Sign up for Dr. Anjali’s free masterclass to learn how to support your body at the root level and start feeling better for real. .