Have you ever suffered chronic illness of some kind and thought that no one was understanding, medical practitioners being no exception? There are an abundance of tests being run and yet 
nothing is showing up as a reason for alarm. However you know your body and how it is supposed to feel, and the symptoms are building too much for you to ignore. There is an alternative to western medical approaches. These options can be found through functional medicine.
The Purpose of Functional Medicine and How to Find Help to Pursue Knowledge About These Approaches
What exactly is functional medicine? This information can be explored by a google search. This will give you an overview of the definition of functional medicine and the various ways this path can be beneficial for getting answers to root causes of your pain or discomfort.
On the other hand, you can also make the decision to turn toward a professional who knows the depths of functional medicine and what it can do for you. One such expert is Wendy Schell. “My passion is helping people through photography,” says Schell. Not only is she a professional photographer who captures, “the beauty of moments and emotions, allowing them to come alive through photographs,” says Schell, she infuses that passion into the world of health as she is a Functional Genomics Practitioner. Schell’s skill set spans into a vast wealth of knowledge as she is a Holistic Health Coach, a Functional Nutrition Expert, District Manager and Trainer, Grassroots Advocate, Public Speaker, and Philanthropist, and a passionate artist and writer. In addition to these credentials, Schell educates interested individuals through a 
program titled “Dare to be Tick Aware”. This immense list of expertise makes her a valuable asset to those searching for answers. Her philanthropic spirit shines through as Schell is also a volunteer with Center for Lyme action 501(c)(3) and “PA Lyme Resource Network 501(c)(3).” Contributing her efforts to educate for better and more healthy sustainable lifestyle changes are a mission of Schell’s that she works tirelessly to see through. “It is through functional medicine that we can look at how the body works,” states Schell.
Her Story of Frustration to Hope
How did Schell find herself working in this field? That is a powerful story of her suffering through immense pain and unexplainable dead ends trying to find the cause. In 2015, she was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Schell dove into thorough research on mold and Lyme disease. “I manually read books and changed my diet, blindly at first, but it was working to help minimize symptoms,” stated Schell. She knew that more context surrounding her circumstances was needed. “I didn’t get into this 
to save people, I wanted to go to a functional doctor and I left his office crying because someone was actually finding answers,” stated Schell.
Learning about her own genetic makeup helped Schell to begin to understand what was going on with her body. “Genetically I don’t break down pharmaceuticals. I see the science behind the medications and how my body responds to them. It was also discovered I have a fast metabolizer through my kidneys,” said Schell. One area Schell focuses on for her clients is seeing that people are not properly processing the medicine prescribed for Lyme disease. Due to her own downfall with prescribed medicine, Schell knew she had the tools to pursue a life of service to others. “I can use my real life experience to facilitate help for others,” stated Schell. Once information is learned and absorbed you are on the right path to finding long lasting solutions.
Lyme Disease and The Effects
According to healthdata.gov, “the CDC estimates that approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year.” Symptoms may include fever, rash, and headaches as well as more possible symptoms. “The disease will literally hijack our brain,” states Schell.
Schell explained that, “Lyme disease is the great imitator and can present as so many different ailments. Every person presents differently so there is no standard for treatment. The root is a bacteria and can get into your heart as lyme carditis.”
Schell is a proponent of much more awareness being brought to light about Lyme disease. “I think if someone in PA goes into an ER and nothing is coming up as abnormal, Lyme disease should be a topic of conversation,” states Schell.
The Message of Encouragement
Even through the bleak sounding havoc that Lyme disease can cause in the body, there are options to consider to help. “I believe personally and professionally we can clear the bacteria from the body. I want people to have hope, I believe our bodies were meant to heal.”
What is mostly seen by Schell is that, “due to lack of testing, often people do not present a rash, and due to lack of awareness, co-infections are not being tested for, therefore are not treated properly.” More specific questions need addressed, such as:
- What is the patients attention span like?
- Hormone levels
- Are there underlying issues in the body?
“We need to make sure we listen to our body and what it’s telling us,” says Schell.
Looking at a clients genetic blueprint is a service that Schell can provide. “When you know how your body is built and you understand what your symptoms are a signal for, you can ask for specific tests to get you back to optimal health faster,” says Schell. For example, Schell learned through testing that she is actually prone to PTSD and anxiety because she does not produce and clear those stress hormones fast enough. Realizing this gave Schell the ability to be mindful of how to process trauma. She chooses, as much as possible to lean into things that are gentle and to recognize her limitations.
Accessing the right Health Coach
“I know what questions to ask and the solutions, but I don’t know the middle part,” says Schell. Once a client presents an in depth background on their health journey Schell can begin to suggest things such as appropriate testing for their unique needs. “I really am saving people’s lives, I don’t take that lightly,” says Schell. If you want to truly get to the core of your health problems, you may want to seriously consider the expertise of Wendy Schell!
Are you looking to advocate for legislation or training opportunities for Lyme and tick awareness?
Visit
www.clicks4acause.com to learn how!
Wendy Schnell is the founder and CEO At Clicks for a Cause, the mission is to inspire and guide individuals on their journey to holistic wellness through the power of genetic insights and a compassionate approach to healing.
