What Is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that identifies and addresses the root causes of disease and promotes optimal wellness by considering the whole body, mind, and spirit, not just the symptoms. We do not practice protocol-based Functional Medicine. We practice Functional Medicine that endeavors to identify and address the physiological mechanisms underlying each individual’s condition using tailored diagnostics, diet and lifestyle modifications, as well as targeted supplement regimens. Since we do not blindly apply standard treatment protocols to health conditions, every patient’s treatment regimen may differ slightly, even for the same presenting condition. This is crucial for patients with health issues that have not been adequately explained and addressed with conventional allopathic medicine, as well as for patients with an interest in personalized health optimization, disease prevention, and enhancing longevity. 

Functional Medicine endeavors to both discover tangible mechanistic imbalances in the body, mind, and spirit and find solutions to those imbalances. This process involves getting to know you as a whole person (body, mind, and spirit), assessing diet, lifestyle, and temperament, as well as ordering comprehensive diagnostic tests. Understanding the individual root causes of a patient’s disease allows for the development of targeted, personalized treatment approaches involving diet, herbs, supplements, exercise, meditation practices, and movement practices. This is what makes every patient unique. It is also why every patient requires different treatment regimens with different diets, herbs, supplements, exercise, and practices.

  • You are in the right place if:

    • You’ve been told your labs are normal, but you don’t feel normal

    • You want to uncover and address the root cause of your condition rather than mask your symptoms

    • You are looking for a holistic, individualized approach to your healthcare that addresses all aspects of your being (physical health, mental/emotional health, and spiritual health)

    • You understand that attaining optimal health takes time and there are no magic bullets

    • You are willing to be an active participant in your quest for optimal health.

  • Functional medicine works well in conjunction with both conventional medicine and other forms of alternative medicine like acupuncture and chiropractic.

  • The number and duration of supplements and lifestyle changes that someone is prescribed depends on their particular case. Early on in treatment, especially with more complex cases, patients may require more supplements and lifestyle modifications used over a longer period of time to address the physiological mechanisms contributing to their illness. As these concerns are addressed, treatment is simplified and fewer supplements are prescribed. Less complex cases, with fewer mechanisms to address, generally require fewer supplements and lifestyle changes taken over a shorter period of time. Certain conditions, like autoimmune diseases, may require some supplementation over the course of a patient’s lifetime to maintain a remission state. Additionally, environmental pollutants in food, water, and air present a constant inflammatory and toxic burden for many people. For those wanting to optimize health and prevent future illness, long-term targeted supplementation with occasional breaks can be very helpful to ease this environmental burden.