What is a Functional Condition?

23 hours ago
3 min read

Have you been told you are “normal” or “it's all in your head” by a healthcare professional when you know for a fact there is something wrong? You may have been struggling with a functional condition. A functional condition means your body’s systems are not working as well as they should, even when standard lab tests and imaging show “no disease.”

Understanding “Functional” vs. “Structural” Problems

Most medical tests look for structural problems: tumors, infections, broken bones, or major organ damage. If those are absent, the diagnosis is often “normal” or “all in your head.”

Functional problems are different. The body’s systems (nerves, hormones, digestion, immunity) may be out of balance or underperforming without a clear structural cause. You feel tired, foggy, achy, bloated, or stressed, but labs come back “fine.” Functional conditions are early-stage imbalances that can lead to bigger issues if ignored.

Examples of Functional Conditions

Adrenal glands working below optimal (hypoadrenia) but not full Addison’s disease.
Thyroid hormone not converting properly from inactive (T4) to active (T3).
Poor digestion causing nutrient shortages even with a good diet.
Immune system over- or under-reacting (allergies, frequent colds, autoimmunity).
Constant low energy, brain fog, or trouble handling stress without a diagnosed disease.

These are real problems. They affect daily life but often go unrecognized in conventional care.

Historical Perspective

In 1922, Dr. Harrower noted that minor thyroid underactivity was frequently ignored because it wasn’t a “real disease.” He argued doctors should look at the whole person and early functional changes, not just obvious disease. Unfortunately, this view remained limited for decades. Most medicine focused on structural disease while functional imbalances were overlooked.

Whatmore and Kohli’s Definition

In their book on functional disorders, these authors explain: functional problems start from altered physiology (how the body works), not from tumors, infections, enzyme defects, or nutrient shortages visible on standard laboratory tests or imaging. The core issue is misdirected effort, “dysponesis”, where the nervous system sends improper signals, leading to poor function across systems.

The Role of Nervous System Signaling

Chiropractic has long emphasized that misaligned vertebrae (subluxations) interfere with nerve signals, disrupting body control. Functional neurology and functional medicine expand this by finding improper input from sensors (exteroreceptors on the skin, interoreceptors inside organs) and imbalances in chemical messengers (neurohumoral control). When signaling goes wrong, glands, muscles, digestion, and immunity suffer.

How We Help Identify Functional Issues

We use muscle testing to evaluate nervous system communication in real time. A weak muscle response often reveals poor nerve control or imbalance, pointing to functional problems before they become structural disease. Combined with history, physical exam, labs, and imaging, we can help pinpoint why systems are struggling and guide gentle corrections: adjustments, nutrition, meridian work, cranial therapy, etc.

Why This Matters

The body is designed to self-regulate and adapt. Functional conditions happen when something interferes with that ability whether it is stress, poor nutrition, spinal misalignments, or toxins. At Jones Chiropractic & Functional Medicine, we focus on removing those interferences and supporting natural healing rather than masking symptoms.

Summary

Functional conditions are real and common. They explain why you feel unwell even when tests are “normal.” We look for these imbalances using thorough histories, comprehensive exams, unique labs, and natural methods to help your body regain optimal function, energy, and resilience. If you’re tired of feeling “off” without answers, a functional evaluation may uncover what’s really going on.