Personalized Functional Medicine Care That Gets to the Root Cause
You no doubt know that conventional medicine often doesn’t hold the key to your health issues, if you have been looking for a working solution to your health struggles from a functional medicine side. There’s another method, however, that’s practiced by our functional medicine practitioner team at Healthfully U, and that’s one that considers your health issues beyond symptoms, and into the deeper areas of imbalance that might be causing your concerns. We use evidence-based science in a comprehensive and holistic way which supports the goal of wellness and not short-term symptom management.
Chronic fatigue, digestive or stomach problems, hormonal imbalance, autoimmune diseases and all other conditions will all manifest themselves by what is really happening in your body and we, the Doctor of Functional Medicine, will work with you to develop a tailored treatment plan to correct that issue.
What Is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is patient-centred and systems focused medicine which addresses the underlying causes of disease rather than just symptoms. A functional doctor sees how the digestive, hormonal, immune, nervous, and detoxification systems are related to each other, and to your lifestyle, environment and genes.
This method acknowledges that the same diagnosis for two individuals could have completely different origins, and therefore the treatment plans are geared towards vastly varying treatments. At its core, personalized functional medicine is one of the few things that aren’t a one-size fits all approach: No cookie-cutter protocols and no one-size-fits-all prescriptions – just a plan specific to you, your history, and your goals.
Why Choose a Functional Medicine Practitioner at Healthfully U
There’s an art to picking the best functional medicine professional. Our staff are well-trained clinicians who are dedicated to diagnosing your entire person. What is unique about our approach:
Root-Cause Investigation – No more covering up symptoms with medication, we delve deep into your health history, lifestyle, environmental exposures and lab values to help root out what is truly causing your symptoms.
Complete Testing – We do more than basic blood testing. Specific pancreas- or gut health markers, including advanced lab panels covering hormones, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities and inflammatory markers are used to provide a full picture of your health.
Individualized Treatment Plans – Each plan is designed to suit your personal biology. All of this can be combined with nutrition therapy, specific supplements, lifestyle changes, stress reduction programs, and – if suitable – traditional therapies.
Time and Attention – We give you the time you deserve as opposed to conventional medical appointments which are often rushed for 10 minutes or less. We hear your whole story; not just your chief complaint.
Collaborative Partnership – You and us are working together on your healing journey. You’re not a patient receiving care and orders, you are an active player in knowing yourself better and being healthier.
Our Functional Medicine Services
We have a variety of functional medicine services that are tailored to a multitude of health issues including:
Detoxification Support
Helping your body's natural detox pathways function optimally through targeted nutrition and lifestyle interventions.
Hormone Balance
Supports thyroid function, adrenals, experiencing perimenopause, menopause and other imbalances related to metabolism, mood and energy.
Autoimmune conditions
A natural strategy for immune balance and reducing inflammation throughout the body.
Weight Management
Eradicating metabolic, hormonal and inflammatory causes that can hinder a person's ability to sustain weight loss.
Digestive Health & Gut Restoration
In-depth testing and treatment of IBS, bloating, food sensitivities, leaky gut and more.
Chronic Fatigue & Low Energy
Looking into mitochondrial function, nutrient deficiencies, sleep disturbances and stress load to regain your energy.
Preventive & Longevity Care
Anticipatory measures to promote your health span rather than your health lifespan.
Chronic Disease Management
Support for chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, myo-tissues and metabolic diseases, with strategies addressing their root cause.
Who Can Benefit From Functional Medicine?
If you’re a good fit to work with our functional medicine provider you:
- Reported normal lab results and yet continued to not feel well
- Have a condition they cannot control no matter what they do with their diet
- Eager to find ways to lessen the need for medicine and make a sustainable lifestyle change
- Experiencing unusual fatigue, brain fog, digestive problems or hormonal symptoms
- Afflicted by an autoimmune disease and looking for a more holistic autoimmune management approach
- Seeking solutions to pursue a proactive, preventive approach to healthcare over treatment as it happens
- Desire a healthcare provider that is capable of listening and studying.
What to Expect From Your Functional Medicine Consultation
The first appointment you get at Healthfully U, with a functional medicine doctor is significantly different from all you ever had with doctors before. The process is generally as follows:
In-Depth Health History Review
First, this is a complete history of your health including your past diagnoses, medications and treatments, family history, diet, stress level, sleep habits and environmental exposures. This total intake will allow us to get a real picture of your health.
Advanced Diagnostic Testing
Depending on your past history and symptoms, you may need more specialized lab tests beyond basic blood work to detect any imbalances you may have that are overlooked - such as your gut microbiome, hormone panels, food sensitivity testing and nutrient status.
Root-Cause Analysis
Our functional medicine physician will analyze your results as a whole, correlate symptoms with test results, and understand how factors such as lifestyle contribute to your health problems and create a plan to decrease or eliminate these drivers.
Personalized Treatment Plan
We create a road map together, which can involve dietary modifications, specific supplements, stress management strategies, movement plans and more, depending on your situation.
Ongoing Support & Adjustment
Progress towards healing, and treatment plan - is not straight through the walls. Care will be taken to closely track your progress throughout the protocol, and the protocol will be altered as needed to keep you on course to achieve your health goal.
The Healthfully U Difference
When you already have visited several functional doctors and haven’t found any real answers, getting more informed with the right functional medical doctor can be quite overwhelming. That’s what we are here to change at Healthfully U. We focus on the following:
Education – Educating patients on their issues empowers them to make informed decisions. Everything we recommend is explained for you “why”.
Sustainability – We believe in sustainable protocols and take action to avoid ones that are absolutely extreme. Our plans are built to be put into real practice and to make changes for the long haul.
Whole Person Care – Physical, mental and lifestyle health are intrinsically tied together. Not only do we consider the discrete lab values – we consider everything.
Evidence-Informed Practice – Our recommendations come with the latest research in functional and integrative medicine, and clinical experience.
When you’re not just managing symptoms, you’re at the forefront of health issues, our practitioner team of functional medicine is here to help. Book a functional medicine session today with Healthfully U, and embark on a unique journey to permanent health and wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions: Functional Medicine
What does a functional medicine doctor do differently than a regular doctor?
A functional medicine physician takes a detailed and holistic approach to treatment, rather than just looking at symptoms and prescribing drugs, by thoroughly evaluating the underlying causes of disease by examining the body and lifestyle.
How is a functional medicine consultation different from a regular checkup?
A functional medicine consultation usually takes longer, evaluates more in-depth health profile, diet, stress and environment, and can involve extensive lab testing to look at aspects missed by a conventional consultation.
What conditions can a functional medicine practitioner help with?
Common conditions where functional medicine practitioners help are chronic fatigue, digestive issues, hormonal issues, autoimmune conditions, weight issues and conditions with no known diagnosis that have not been successful with your primary care provider or other medical providers in improving your symptoms.
Is functional medicine covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on the insurance company and specific coverage plan. Specific services might be covered, others might not, and certain testing is usually not covered by your regular insurance, but we will be happy to discuss your costs during your initial consultation.
How long does it take to see results with functional medicine?
The time-line differs between each patient based on the individual and specific condition, but many patients begin to feel a positive effect in a few weeks to months as root causes are uncovered and are treated individually.
Do I need a referral to see a functional medicine provider?
Usually there is no referral needed for a functional medicine consultation. Reservations can be made by speaking with our functional medicine provider to start your personal health assessment.
What kind of testing does a functional medicine doctor use?
An Effective Medical Doctor might be able to use more in-depth panels such as food sensitivity testing, hormone testing, nutrient testing, and gut microbiome testing to thoroughly understand the state of your health.
Can functional medicine work alongside my current treatment plan?
Of course, there’s a possibility to design personalized functional medicine so it fits into your current treatment plans and in a way that your other medical practitioners collaborate with.