Cherry Blossom Natural Wellness
  • Home
  • Our Services
    • FullScript
    • Nutrafol
  • Our Approach
  • Dr. Mack
  • Blog
  • Contact
August 21, 2022 by Dr. Janelle Mackowiak

How I Became a Functional Medicine Doctor

How I Became a Functional Medicine Doctor
August 21, 2022 by Dr. Janelle Mackowiak

My name is Dr. Janelle Mackowiak, known fondly as Dr. Mack by my patients. I wasn’t always this healthy. 

From my early 20s, I sought care from multiple conventional doctors because I “never felt quite well.” Unfortunately, I had the same experiences that all too many Americans face; based on a few basic labs, I was repeatedly told by conventional doctors that everything was “fine.” The only suggestion given would be to “lose some weight and exercise.” However, the reality was that I was already exercising 6-7 days per week and had lived a vegetarian lifestyle for many years, hoping that this would resolve my issues. 

I was tired ALL THE TIME

Besides being exhausted,  my periods were super heavy and lasted 10-12 days. I was never happy. I did not feel like going to do anything for fear I would get sick and have to use the bathroom in a hurry. My conventional doctors prescribed antidepressants over and over again. I tried all different kinds of prescriptions, but they all made me feel worse. I felt like a zombie — it was like life was in fast forward, passing me by, but I couldn’t keep up. I no longer wanted to take pharmaceutical medications that left me in bed for days. I was worried, scared, frightful, out of my mind, I was so sick and tired of being so sick and tired! My body was so worn down, that I was not receiving the right nutrients or minerals I needed from my so-called “healthy” dietary choices. 

The Beginning of Getting Well 

Eventually, after experiencing this decline for years, I started researching herbs. (Remember using the library — the Dewey decimal system? Yeah, that way!) I read everything I could find about a more holistic way of living. Eventually, I found a natural doctor that also made some supplement recommendations. It didn’t happen overnight, but gradually, I began feeling better and regained my health. (After all, the body is a miraculous thing and it will fight for us when we provide the body with what it needs.) This may seem simple. But in reality, the process was some trial and error. We tried many combinations of herbs and supplements at different doses. It was a lengthy process. However, It was worth every single moment, time, and expense. I was able to get my health back which is what is needed for everything else we do — we can’t give back to anyone or anything if we don’t care for ourselves.  

Little did I know at the time, that these experiences would inspire me to return to school and train to become a naturopathic and chiropractic doctor in order to help those with similar journeys. By founding Cherry Blossom Natural Wellness, I can now provide the type of care that I struggled to find with conventional medical doctors. 

What can I help you with on your health journey?

Get a free, no-risk consult today.

Get a FREE 15 min Discovery Call
Next article How to Safely Detox From Environmental PollutantsSafely Detox
Dr. Janelle Mackowiak(http://cherryblossomnaturalwellness.com)
Dr. Mack is a graduate of the National University of Health Sciences, near Chicago, Illinois. She is not only a chiropractic physician but is also a CNME approved Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. Dr. Mack uses a holistic but common-sense approach. She emphasizes equality in provider-patient discussion and a customized plan of action based on state-of-the-art, evidence-based medical practices. This builds trust, helps her patients recover more quickly and return to their activities of daily living sooner, and decreases their chances of recurrence.

About The Blog

Dr. Mack explores wellness, life, and her journey of wellness both personally and with her patients.

Recent Posts

Heat Intolerance Symptoms: What Heat Reveals About Your Health PatternsAugust 1, 2026
What Is Histamine Intolerance and Why Is It So Confusing?July 1, 2026
GLP-1 Support: Why Some People Thrive and Others StruggleJune 1, 2026

Categories

  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Functional Medicine
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness Information
  • Wellness Journeys

Tags

allergies balancing hormones blood sugar BloodSugarBalance bloodwork brain fog Cherry Blossom Natural Wellness ConstipationRelief DAO deficiency clues detox pathways digestive health dizziness Dr Mack environmental naturopath support environmental toxins health fatiguechronic fatigued fatigue support food reaction mystery symptoms food sensitivities functional medicine functionalmedicine GLP1SideEffects gut health gut issues heat intolerance histamine intolerance symptoms holistic detox Michigan holisticdoctor holistic histamine support holisticwellness holistic wellness hollistic healing hormone imbalance inflammation lowenergy mold exposure clues natural wellness naturopath fatigue support naturopathic sleephealth sleephygiene thyroid toxin exposure symptoms WellnessJourney

Cherry Blossom
Natural Wellness

Dr. Janelle Mackowiak, ND, DC, CFMP

Holistic Doctor in Michigan
Functional Medicine in Michigan



JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Contact Information

4 Locations
Oxford | 2B S. Washington Street
Lapeer | 244 W. Park Street
Romeo | 232 S Main St
Lansing | 1020 E Saginaw Street
248.274.6516
Mon. - Thu. 10AM - 6PM
By Appointment Only
© 2023 Cherry Blossom Natural Wellness || Privacy Policy || Terms of Use
Created by Common Rise Creative Solutions