Functional Medicine

Functional Medicine differs from Conventional Medicine in several ways:

• Root Cause Focus: Functional Medicine seeks to find and treat the underlying causes of health issues, not just the symptoms.
• Personalized Care: Treatments are tailored to the individual, considering their unique genetic and biochemical makeup.
• Holistic Approach: Functional Medicine views the body as an interconnected system and addresses multiple factors affecting health, including diet, lifestyle, and environment.

Functional Medicine can treat a wide range of conditions, including:

• Chronic Diseases: Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Hormonal Imbalances: Thyroid issues, menopause, and low testosterone.
• Autoimmune Disorders: Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.
• Digestive Problems: IBS, Crohn's disease, and acid reflux.
• Mental Health Issues: Depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment.
• Skin Conditions: Acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
• Fatigue and Pain: Chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain.
• Obesity

Your first consultation typically lasts about 60 minutes. During this time, the practitioner will:

• Review your medical history and current symptoms.
• Conduct a thorough lifestyle assessment, including diet, exercise, sleep, and stress levels.
• Discuss your family history and environmental exposures.
• Develop a personalized health plan, which may include dietary changes, supplements, lifestyle modifications, and diagnostic testing.

Functional Medicine uses a variety of diagnostic tests to uncover hidden health issues. Common tests include:

• Food allergy/sensitivity testing
• Genetic testing
• Hormonal evaluations
• Gut microbiome analysis
• Heavy metal and mold toxicity testing
• Vitamin and mineral deficiency assessments

Treatments in Functional Medicine are highly personalized and may include:

• Nutritional Guidance: Tailored diet plans to address specific health needs.
• Supplements and Herbal Remedies: Vitamins, minerals, and herbs to support healing.
• Detoxification Programs: Strategies to eliminate toxins from the body.
• Lifestyle Changes: Recommendations for exercise, stress management, and sleep optimization.
• Integrative Therapies: Use of acupuncture, chiropractic care, and other alternative treatments.

Coverage for Functional Medicine varies by insurance provider and plan. Some aspects, such as lab tests and consultations, may be covered, while others, like certain supplements or alternative therapies, may not be. It's best to check with your insurance provider to understand what is covered under your specific plan.

No, we do not take insurance. Our exclusive clientele are all self pay customers. If you have out of network benefits we will provide you with the documentation to submit a claim.

• Digestive System: Assessing gut health, digestion, absorption, and microbiome balance.
• Immune System: Evaluating immune function, inflammation, and potential autoimmune responses.
• Endocrine System: Checking hormonal balance, thyroid function, adrenal health, and metabolic processes.
• Cardiovascular System: Monitoring heart health, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and vascular function.
• Nervous System: Examining brain health, cognitive function, and neurological balance.
• Detoxification System: Analyzing liver function, detoxification pathways, and exposure to toxins.
• Musculoskeletal System: Evaluating muscle and bone health, joint function, and mobility.
• Respiratory System: Assessing lung function and breathing patterns.
• Urinary System: Monitoring kidney function and urinary health.
• Integumentary System: Looking at skin health as a reflection of internal health.
• Reproductive System: Checking reproductive health, including menstrual cycles and fertility for women, and prostate health for men.

Individuals looking to resolve:

1. Chronic Conditions: People suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and more. Functional medicine aims to address the root causes of these conditions rather than just treating the symptoms.

2. Unresolved Health Issues: Individuals who have not found relief or satisfactory answers through conventional medicine. Functional medicine often involves a more in-depth investigation into health issues.

3. Preventive Health: Those interested in preventive health measures and optimizing overall wellness. Functional medicine practitioners often focus on lifestyle changes, nutrition, and other preventive strategies.

4. Personalized Care: People looking for personalized care that takes into account their unique genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors. Functional medicine tailors treatments to the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

5. Integrative Approaches: Individuals who prefer an integrative approach that combines conventional medical treatments with alternative or complementary therapies.

6. Complex Health Histories: Patients with complex health histories that involve multiple symptoms and conditions. Functional medicine practitioners take a comprehensive approach to understand the interconnectedness of various health issues.

7. Holistic Wellness: Those who believe in a holistic approach to health, considering factors such as diet, stress, sleep, and environmental exposures in their treatment plan.

1. Nutrition and Dietary Therapy
   Functional medicine uses individualized nutrition plans based on a patient’s specific needs, metabolic type, and any existing conditions. Diets may include anti-inflammatory, low-carb, ketogenic, elimination, or autoimmune protocols to reduce inflammation and support healing.

2. Detoxification
   Detox protocols help the body eliminate toxins from environmental, dietary, and lifestyle sources. This can include liver support (e.g., milk thistle or dandelion), gut cleansing, and practices like intermittent fasting or detox diets.

3. Gut Health and Microbiome Support
   Functional medicine emphasizes the importance of gut health, utilizing probiotics, prebiotics, fiber, and sometimes elimination diets to restore microbiome balance and support digestive health.

4. Stress Management and Mind-Body Techniques
   Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, and counseling are often recommended to address chronic stress, which can exacerbate health issues. Addressing stress can be crucial for managing inflammation, hormone balance, and immune health.

5. Hormone Balancing
   Functional medicine providers often look at thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones and balance them through lifestyle changes, nutritional support, and, when necessary, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

6. Exercise and Movement
   Exercise is prescribed not just as a general recommendation but tailored to the patient’s needs, conditions, and goals. This might include aerobic exercises, strength training, flexibility, or low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga.

7. Sleep Optimization
   Proper sleep is considered essential for healing. Functional medicine practitioners may assess sleep patterns, improve sleep hygiene, and suggest supplements or interventions to enhance sleep quality.

8. Supplementation
   Based on lab assessments and health needs, practitioners may recommend vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutraceuticals to address deficiencies, support metabolism, and enhance healing.

9. Genomics and Epigenetics
   Functional medicine often integrates genetic testing to understand an individual’s genetic predispositions. Through diet, lifestyle, and environmental changes, functional medicine practitioners aim to optimize gene expression for better health.

10. Mental and Emotional Health
    Emotional well-being is closely linked to physical health in functional medicine. Counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and emotional resilience-building strategies can help address underlying emotional contributors to physical illness.

Holistic Medicine

Holistic medicine is a broad approach that emphasizes treating the person as a whole—mind, body, and spirit—rather than focusing solely on symptoms or diseases. Practitioners consider physical, emotional, social, and even spiritual aspects of health. They often incorporate complementary therapies like acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, and lifestyle counseling alongside conventional treatments, aiming to support overall balance and harmony.

Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine combines conventional Western medical treatments with complementary and alternative therapies to provide a more comprehensive treatment approach. The focus is on using the best possible interventions from both conventional and alternative practices, with an emphasis on lifestyle, prevention, and healing. Integrative medicine might involve combining medication with dietary adjustments, mind-body therapies, and acupuncture to provide a well-rounded, evidence-based approach that aligns with each patient’s unique needs.

Functional Medicine

Functional medicine is a systems-based approach that seeks to identify and address the root causes of disease. It involves a deep dive into an individual’s genetics, lifestyle, environment, and biochemistry to develop personalized treatment plans. Functional medicine practitioners rely heavily on detailed health history, lab testing, and targeted therapies, including nutrition, detoxification, hormone balancing, and gut health support. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on symptom management, functional medicine aims to restore function across interconnected bodily systems, promoting optimal health from within.

In summary:

• Holistic Medicine focuses on treating the person as a whole, incorporating mind, body, and spirit.
• Integrative Medicine combines conventional and alternative treatments to offer a balanced, evidence-based approach.
• Functional Medicine seeks to address root causes through a detailed, systems-based, personalized approach.