Frequently Asked Questions

Visits are typically an hour for new patients and 30-45 minutes for follow-ups. YOUR FIRST VISIT: A complete history of your chief concern (or top 3-5 chief concerns, depending on how involved they are). Physical exams, if relevant. A review of lab work, or an order form for new lab work as needed. An individualized treatment plan. Answers to your questions! FOLLOW-UP VISIT: An update on chief concerns that we have treated, and a reevaluation of your treatment. Review of new labs and imaging. Order follow up testing, if necessary. Evaluate if changes are needed to your individualized treatment plan. Answers to your questions!

Functional Medicine, also referred to by some providers as the ‘the medicine of the future’, is a patient centered system of healing. In comparison to mainstream (traditional allopathic) medicine, a functional provider focuses on finding the root cause of the patient’s health problem, rather than just managing the symptoms. In other words, Functional Medicine is an approach to medicine that asks the questions: “Why are you sick? Why did you develop these symptoms or conditions?” Rather than another prescription of drugs (to manage your conditions or symptoms), the Functional Medicine approach is used to address the factors that are leading to or aggravate chronic diseases.

Each method in alternative medicine has its own unique approach. The Functional Medicine approach is unique in several ways: It seeks for the CAUSE of the disease, rather than focus on managing the symptoms. For example, focusing on eliminating the factors that increase your inflammation, rather than just addressing the pain (often the result of chronic inflammation). We focus on you (the patient), rather than just your diagnosis or condition. It uses a comprehensive evaluation process, which includes the physical, emotional, and psychological state of the patient. Information is gathered about your current and past lifestyle and dietary choices, emotional and physical traumas, and the way your body reacted to these. Do no harm! Avoiding potential harmful side effects by using natural alternatives instead of prescription drugs or surgeries (when possible). The treatment is personalized for each patient, rather than the same drug for all patients with the same disease or symptoms. The treatment protocol might include nutritional guidelines, lifestyle changes, herbal medicine, etc.

The evaluation and treatment methods used in Functional Medicine are grounded in evidenced based medicine through clinical studies that have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals. Over time, many scientists and clinicians have been contributing from their experience to the field of Functional Medicine. Their interest and expertise in biochemistry and physiology have led to a deeper and more accurate understanding of the factors that shift our body’s function from health to a diseased state.

Functional Medicine Providers undergo additional education and training outside of their medical education to learn about the external and internal factors that contribute to the disease process. They learn how to identify these factors through a comprehensive, detailed history taking and then how to address those factors by using specific recommendations from a lifestyle, nutritional, and herbal medicine approach.

No. The Functional Medicine approach is focused on improving the patient’s health and function, but it does not replace the need for primary care. In some cases, it might be important to manage the patient’s conditions by using prescription or surgery, which a primary care provider or a physician offers.

During the evaluation process, you will be asked about your previous and current medical history, lifestyle, diet, and your external environment (work, home, etc.). You will also be asked about the function of different organs and we might look at your labs. During our meeting, we will go over your health concerns and the possible factors that might be aggravating your conditions. In other words, we will try to understand ‘what’ is driving your inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, damage to the cells, and conditions. Throughout the process, I will provide you with guidance and education so you can move towards better function and health.

While primary care services are vitally important, it is almost impossible to complete a full evaluation and understand the external, internal, environmental, spiritual and nutritional factors that are aggravating your condition in the 7 to 15 minutes that the traditional office visit will allow. To spend 1-on-1 time with you, conduct a comprehensive assessment, develop individualized treatment protocols that are personalized to your body, as well as to educate you – we typically need 60 minutes for your initial visit and at least 30 minutes for any follow up visits. Unfortunately, due to reimbursement rates from the insurance companies coupled with the “daily quota’s” placed on many primary care providers by their administration, there is just not the opportunity for providers to spend the additional time that they desire with their patients. This is one of the many reasons that medical providers are experiencing “burn-out” in today’s healthcare system. These providers know that their patients need more, but the logistics and reimbursement does not support it. Upon request we can provide patients with a superbill (containing CPT and ICD-9 codes) which you can submit to your insurance company directly. We cannot guarantee that the insurance company will cover all or even part of the visit and supplements. However, most insurance companies and policies will cover basic labs and imaging. We do accept HSA/FSA. Basic labs include those your primary care physician would likely run; some specialty labs (usually these are neurotransmitter tests, food allergy panels, stool cultures, and heavy metal tests) are also out of pocket, or they may be covered partially by insurance. We cannot guarantee that your insurance company will cover lab tests (or imaging), even if we send you to traditional labs such as LabCorp or Quest to have them done. It is your responsibility to check with your insurance company and make sure tests will be covered, as every insurance policy is different. Remember, this is your body and we believe that you should be the one to decide the type of care that you deserve to improve your health and your quality of life. Your body is gift from God and we have the opportunity to care for it with the reverence and respect that it deserves.

Yes, we offer free 15-minute phone consultations with prospective patients. This is a time for us to get to know each other primarily, and then to also discuss general approaches we might take for you individually. To schedule an appointment or initial consult, please call 419-996-8463 and the office coordinator will assist you.