Functional medicine is very complimentary to acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is a patient-centered approach that also looks at the person holistically - the whole body and systems. Conventional medicine and doctors are looking for pathology and disease, which is very important to investigate and hopefully rule out. However, because of this, conventional medicine often falls short in helping support optimal health and getting to the root of chronic disease. Functional medicine is a scientific approach to the prevention and early assessment of complex, chronic diseases and the use of natural therapies to help restore health and well-being.
Chronic health concerns are always preceded by a lengthy period of physiological dysfunction, we want to address this to boost wellness and prevent the progression to chronic disease. Therefore, functional medicine can be used for prevention to help support optimal health or to support those who want to get to the root of and reverse their chronic health issues.
Here are some common symptoms or health concerns that we can address: chronic stress, fatigue, insomnia, hormone imbalances, PMS, irregular periods, weight gain, digestive upset, bloating, gas, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, food sensitivities, weak immune system, chronic sinus infections, headaches, migraines, skin issues, brain fog, chronic inflammation and more.
The functional medicine approach combines supplement protocols with dietary, lifestyle and stress management therapies uniquely tailored to that patient. Together we look at root causes such as emotional, dietary, pathogen and inflammatory triggers. Some assessments can be made by looking at conventional blood work but through a different lens, with stricter parameters that give us clues into the dysfunctions that might be hindering optimal health. Therefore, some labs can be ordered through your primary MD or myself, and completed with a traditional blood draw. Other speciality lab work is very convenient, it can be completed at home and sent directly back to the lab. The two main speciality labs that I now offer are an adrenal test that helps us understand the effects of chronic stress on your health, and a comprehensive stool exam which is a very in-depth analysis of gut health. All functional medicine appointments will be done via telehealth, so COVID and your location are not a factor in getting care.
I decided to become an acupuncturist after first being a patient. The story is the same with functional medicine. While acupuncture has helped my personal health immensely, it wasn’t able to shift my health completely on its own. Through adding speciality lab testing, supplements, nutritional and lifestyle changes, I have been able to shift my health in even more profound ways. This work was, and still is, an integral part of my healthcare. Seeing how profound this work is for me, I have begun to incorporate it into my practice. My mission is always to support my patients in the most comprehensive, integrative ways possible.
I also want to meet you where you are at - this work is not for everyone - it takes the desire to be ready to make changes to your everyday life to support your health. If you have this dedication to deep dive into your health concerns and symptoms in a more profound way, we will work together to create a treatment program that meets you where you are at. Please reach out to me for more details on where we should begin and pricing.