I’m sure you’ve heard of functional medicine (FM) at some point, but maybe you’re not entirely sure what it is. That’s ok! I hear that a lot from my patients. 

In a nutshell, functional medicine is a science-based practice that aims to treat the patient as a whole. FM practitioners go beyond simply treating symptoms and instead work to uncover the underlying cause of an illness. Our ultimate goal is preventing future illness by restoring functional integrity to the different systems of the body.   

Functional medicine is patient-centered, not disease-centered. Conventional medicine often offers a one size fits all approach to illness that may leave the patient feeling like they’re not being heard, or worse, abandoned. With FM, you can expect a tailored treatment plan that is unique to you and your needs. There is no “pop this pill” to make it all go away. Instead, you receive a complete overhaul of your entire mind, body, and spirit. We work together to find an approach that will help the body heal itself and get you feeling your best. 

A Partnership 

Think of me as a health detective, here to investigate all your health concerns. We start with a 90-minute consultation. Yes, you read that right. I’m focused on you for a full 90 minutes. During that first meeting, it’s hugely important to the process that we form a partnership. Together, we’re going to explore your current symptoms, medical history, emotional health, relationships, genetics, overall lifestyle, and optimal wellness goals. 

With functional medicine, you can expect a tailored treatment plan that is unique to you and your needs.”

I then do specialty lab testing that provides vital information to isolate where dysfunction is occurring in the body and how to correct it. I start with blood work, running the same labs your general physician would test, but also add many other lab markers necessary for you and your goals. Functional medicine practitioners utilize lab parameters quite different from conventional medicine measurements. We do not clump your results in “general” ranges but rather find the specific range that is best for you. Blood isn’t where we stop, we also test breath, saliva, urine, and poop. Yes, that’s right, your poop is one of the best indicators of your health. We may also have you complete some questionnaires or quizzes to get a clearer picture of your emotional status. 

Next, during the case review, I analyze all the data–from biochemistry and genetic makeup to personal history–to get an in-depth, highly personalized understanding of your overall health. This is a true inside-out approach to wellness.  

Body, Mind and Spirit 

Once we have the full picture, the treatment does not focus simply on the body. This is where integrative medicine comes in. I use both modern and natural medicines to treat the mind and spirit as well. The strategy is designed to increase health, restore function, reduce or eliminate symptoms, and even reverse chronic health conditions. This might include acupuncture, supplements, functional nutrition, Chinese herbs, exercise, stress management, and overall lifestyle. We want to promote true healing, rather than simply alleviate symptoms. One single pill isn’t going to do it. It’s a holistic approach and strategy that we’ll discover and work towards together. 

Where Do We Start?

The first step is sometimes the hardest to take. If you want to learn more, check out my services and about pages. I’d also recommend writing down all of your symptoms and maybe even engage in some light journaling about your current emotional health. You’ll be developing a baseline and a great starting place for our first appointment. That way, once you’re in the office, you’ll feel prepared to start working towards the optimal wellness plan that’s best for you.