#166 - Beyond Functional Medicine: Why Most Health Experts Can't Help Complex Chronic Illnesses with Dr. Mel Hopper Koppelman

What if your chronic complex health issues aren’t about needing more supplements or a new practitioner… but from a nervous system that’s been stuck in survival mode since childhood? In this episode of Pretty Well, I’m joined by Mel Hopper Koppelman—an expert in neurological healing who’s helping patients finally get better after functional medicine has failed.

We talk about the overlooked role of retained primitive reflexes, how childhood stress rewires adult health, and why your gut might still be leaky decades later (hint: it started long before gluten showed up). Mel breaks down why some people never fully heal from chronic fatigue, autoimmunity, mold toxicity, and even trauma—and what to do about it.

You'll learn about the Cell Danger Response, what it means to truly “regulate your nervous system,” and why green smoothies might not be doing you any favors. Mel also unpacks in detail the 4 Stage Process of Recovering from Complex Chronic Health Issues.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things and still not getting better, this episode might flip everything you thought you knew about healing.

Connect with Mel:

Website https://essays.synthesishealth.co/mel-hopper-koppelman/

Social https://www.instagram.com/synthesishealth.co/

https://www.facebook.com/melkoppelmanacupuncture

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Contact Lisa:

Website: www.lisasmithwellness.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/prettywell_podcast/

Disclaimer:

Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, please take informed accountability and speak to your provider before making changes to your health routine.

The primary purpose of The Pretty Well Podcast being to educate. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice nor to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. By listening to this content, you agree to consult your own physician or qualified health professional regarding specific health questions. Neither Lisa Smith, The Pretty Well Podcast, nor any guest takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons following the information in this educational content. All listeners of this content, especially those who are pregnant or taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. The Pretty Well Podcast is for private non-commercial use and our guests do not necessarily reflect any agency, organization, or company that they work for. In addition, opinions of interview guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lisa Smith and/or The Pretty Well Podcast. This content is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.

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