What is Functional Medicine?

More patients have diabetes, obesity, hypertension, early onset dementia, heart disease, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea than ever before in history. Contrary to the popular myth, these diseases are not genetically predetermined nor are they a normal part of aging.

In comparison to mainstream medicine, a Functional Medicine doctor 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 is my patient sick? Can we eliminate the root cause of their condition to improve or eliminate it?”

Rather than another prescription for drugs to manage symptoms, the Functional Medicine approach is used to address the factors that are leading to or aggravating chronic diseases.

This is a natural and holistic way to prevent and treat disease and to improve quality of life and longevity.

How is Functional Medicine different from traditional medicine?

Each method in alternative medicine has its own 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 causes of inflammation, rather than just addressing the pain that results from chronic inflammation.
The focus is 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, sleep quality, exercise habits, emotional and physical traumas, your relationships, work, and the way your body reacts to all of these factors.
Do no harm! Consistent with all practices of medicine, this is an overarching principle. Risks and benefits are seriously factored into all recommendations.
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, supplements, etc.

Is it Scientific?

The evaluation and treatment methods used in modern Functional Medicine are based on clinical studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals. The field of Functional medicine was initially developed by Dr. Jeffrey Bland, a former professor of biochemistry at the University of Puget Sound, a previous Director of Nutritional Research at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, and an internationally recognized leader in the nutritional medicine field for over 25 years. Dr. Bland’s interest and expertise in biochemistry and physiology led to a deeper and more accurate understanding of the factors that shift our body’s function from health to disease.

Over time, many scientists and clinicians have been contributing from their experience to the field of Functional medicine. Though historically considered a fringe practice, decades of a growing body of literature in functional health argues to the contrary.

How are Functional Medicine providers trained?

Several certifying organizations train functional medicine providers about the external and internal factors that contribute to diseases. They learn how to identify these factors and how to address them by using specific recommendations such as lifestyle and nutritional recommendations. Dr. Tom is a Board-Certified Emergency Medicine doctor and has been certified for Functional Healthcare by the American Academy of Functional Health. Dr. Tom's life passion is healthcare and wellness and he reads articles, books, and attends conferences to continue his education on functional health.

Can Functional Medicine replace my primary care provider?

NO! The Functional Medicine approach is focused on improving health, but it does not replace the need for primary care. Functional medicine is intended as an addition to conventional primary care. Do not delay, forgo, or otherwise neglect primary care.

What happens during meetings with the doctor?

During the evaluation process, you will be asked about your previous and current lifestyle, diet, and your external environment (work, home, etc.) 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.

In many cases, specific lifestyle and nutritional recommendations can provide far reaching benefits. In others, functional medicine labs and even genomics can provide more individualized guidance.

Is it covered by insurance?

Unfortunately, we do not accept insurance at this time.

Medical insurance was initially designed to cover emergency care, such as surgery after an injury. It was not originally intended to pay for doctor visits or preventative care. Most insurance companies still will not pay for prevention or root cause medicine. That is the reason why most primary care visits are done in 7 to 15 minutes.

While primary care services are important, it is impossible to complete a full evaluation and understand the external, internal, environmental, and nutritional factors that are aggravating your condition in the 7 to 15 minutes that insurance allows.

To spend 1-on-1 time with you, conduct a comprehensive assessment, develop personalized lifestyle and treatment recommendations, review labs, and work WITH you – we typically need between 30 to 60 minutes per visit. Unfortunately, many insurance companies will only pay for traditional prescription drugs or surgery.

That said, we can tailor frequency of visits and packages to your financial circumstances. This is your body, life, and health and we believe that there is nothing more important than taking care of yourself.

As Jim Rohn once said, “Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live.”