Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Functional medicine is an integrative, patient-centered approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of illness, rather than just managing symptoms. It uses a combination of advanced testing, lifestyle changes, and personalized treatment plans to restore balance to your body and optimize overall health.
Conventional medicine typically focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases based on symptoms. Functional medicine, on the other hand, takes a deeper approach by exploring the underlying causes of illness, such as imbalances in the immune system, digestive system, and hormones. It also emphasizes prevention and long-term health management, aiming to optimize your body’s natural healing abilities.
During your first visit, we will take the time to fully understand your health history, current symptoms, and lifestyle factors. You can expect a comprehensive evaluation where we’ll discuss your goals and concerns, and develop a personalized treatment plan. Depending on your situation, we may recommend lab tests, dietary adjustments, or other therapies to help address the root causes of your health challenges.
Functional medicine can help manage a wide range of chronic and complex conditions, including but not limited to:
- Autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Digestive disorders (e.g., IBS, Crohn’s disease, acid reflux)
- Hormonal imbalances (e.g., thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue, menopause)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Anxiety, depression, and mental health conditions
- Diabetes and metabolic syndrome
- Skin conditions (e.g., eczema, acne)
- Migraines and chronic pain
No, you don’t need to stop any current medications. Functional medicine works alongside your existing treatments. We will work with your current healthcare team to ensure that the functional medicine approach complements your ongoing care, and may recommend adjustments to your lifestyle, diet, or supplements to help improve your overall health.
Yes. Our provider does prescribe medications when necessary. This is done strategically while supporting the body’s own healing mechanisms with nutritional supplements and lifestyle interventions.
Functional medicine often involves specialized tests to better understand the root causes of your health concerns. These can include blood work, stool analysis, food sensitivity tests, genetic testing, and more. The goal is to gather detailed information to create a personalized treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs.
No, we do not accept insurance and we do not file insurance paperwork on your behalf. We do not assist with any insurance claim resolution or respond to insurance carrier requests for additional information. However, we will provide a detailed bill for lab services for you to submit to your insurance carriers to see if they will provide reimbursement.
Health Savings accounts (HSA) can be used to pay for your consultation and lab fees. We also provide information for Advance Care credit, an independent financial services company which may help cover your costs. Payment in full is due at the time of services provided and can be done with cash, check or credit card (VISA, MC, Discover, AMEX)
No, we do not accept insurance and we do not file insurance paperwork on your behalf. We do not assist with any insurance claim resolution or respond to insurance carrier requests for additional information. However, we will provide a detailed bill for lab services for you to submit to your insurance carriers to see if they will provide reimbursement.
Nutrition plays a vital role in functional medicine. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is often the foundation of healing. We may recommend dietary adjustments, supplements, or specific nutritional protocols to address underlying imbalances in your body, improve digestion, and support your immune system. We also help you understand how food affects your body’s health, from gut health to inflammation and hormone balance.
Yes! Functional medicine can support healthy weight loss by addressing underlying factors like hormone imbalances, insulin resistance, gut health, and inflammation. Rather than focusing solely on calories or exercise, we take a holistic approach that aims to restore balance in your body, which can lead to more sustainable weight management.
Yes. Our provider prefers for the initial consultation to take place in-person. Face-to-face visits help to build a close patient-provider relationship. The more time we spend together, the more communication, understanding and trust develops which are the pillars of establishing and empowering the patient-provider relationship and a successful journey of healing.
Follow-up visits can be done over via telemedicine consultations.
Yes, functional medicine is safe when practiced by licensed and trained professionals. Our approach is rooted in evidence-based practices and integrates traditional medical knowledge with holistic, natural therapies. We ensure that all interventions are safe, appropriate, and in line with your health goals.
We offer a free 15-minute consultation. This visit offers insight into functional medicine and how we may be able to help with your medical concerns.
Initial consultation $200
Follow-up consultation
We also offer 3-month memberships that include the initial consultation, follow-up visits, as well as a variety of labs and services.
You may reschedule or cancel your appointment at no additional charge if done so with a 24-hour notice of your scheduled appointment. Any appointments canceled or rescheduled less than 24 hours of the scheduled appointment time will be charged a $45 cancellation fee to the card on file. Additionally, individuals who do not show up for a scheduled appointment will be charged “no-show” fee of $45 to the card on file.
Getting started is easy! Simply contact our office to schedule a consultation at 985.467.0170. During your initial visit, we’ll take a deep dive into your health history, discuss your symptoms, and start building a personalized plan that works for you. We’ll guide you every step of the way to ensure your health journey is successful.