Functional Medicine FAQ’s

Functional medicine is a patient-centered approach that addresses the root causes of diseases rather than just treating symptoms. It emphasizes a holistic view of health, considering lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors. Here are some frequently asked questions about working with a functional medicine practitioner, along with detailed answers.

What is Functional Medicine?

Q: I’ve never heard of Functional Medicine. What is it?

A: Functional medicine is an integrative approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of disease. It views the body as an interconnected system rather than a collection of independent organs. Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and examining the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex chronic diseases.

Functional Medicine vs.
Conventional Medicine?

Q: How is functional medicine different from conventional medicine?

A: While conventional medicine often focuses on treating specific symptoms or diseases, functional medicine aims to identify the root cause of illness. Conventional medicine typically uses an approach to treatment where a disease state is identified, and a pill is prescribed to mask the symptoms.

By contrast, functional medicine uses a personalized approach, considering factors like diet, genetics, and lifestyle to figure out why a disease is happening. This method often involves comprehensive testing and a focus on preventive measures.  Once the reasons have been identified, lifestyle, diet, and supplements are used to bring the body back into a natural state of balance.

Your First Visit

Q: What happens during the initial consultation
with a functional medicine practitioner?

A: During your first visit, the practitioner will take a detailed medical history, including your family’s health history, lifestyle, diet, stress levels, and other factors that could impact your health. 

Your functional medicine practitioner may also order various tests to get a comprehensive picture of your health status.  Uploading any tests that you have had run over the last year or two by your conventional medicine doctor can be helpful in guiding your functional medicine coach to select the most appropriate labs for you.  These labs are very different than what conventional doctors order, and often look at things like heavy metals, mold, what is growing in your gut, etc.

This initial consultation usually lasts longer than a typical doctor’s appointment, which is usually about 7 minutes long.  Functional medicine coaching initial consultations are often 60 minutes to thoroughly understand your health concerns and goals.

Conditions Functional Medicine Can Address

Q: What health issues can functional medicine help with?

A: Functional medicine can address a wide range of chronic conditions, including but not limited to:

• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
• Hormonal imbalances (e.g., thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue)
• Digestive issues (e.g., IBS, Crohn’s disease)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety)
• Metabolic conditions (e.g., diabetes, obesity)
• Cardiovascular diseases

Functional Medicine Treatments

Q: How does a functional medicine practitioner create a treatment plan?

A: Treatment plans in functional medicine are highly individualized. After a thorough evaluation, the practitioner will design a personalized plan that may include dietary changes, nutritional supplements, stress management techniques, exercise recommendations, and other lifestyle modifications. The goal is to support the body’s natural healing processes and improve overall well-being.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Q: When can I expect to see improvements in my condition?

A: The timeline for seeing results varies depending on the individual and the specific health issues being addressed. Some patients may experience improvements within a few weeks, while others might take several months. Consistency and adherence to the treatment plan are crucial for achieving the best outcomes. Regular follow-up appointments are also important to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to the plan.

Who Are Functional Medicine Practitioners?

Q: Are functional medicine practitioners licensed medical doctors?

A: Many functional medicine practitioners are licensed medical doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathy (DOs) who have received additional training in functional medicine. However, Functional Medicine practitioners can also include naturopathic doctors (NDs), chiropractors (DCs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and other healthcare professionals such as Functional Medicine Coaches.  All of these disciplines receive specialized training in functional medicine that is taught nowhere else.

It is important to remember that functional medicine, as logical and rational as it may be in its quest to uncover the “why” behind why a person has an illness, is still not considered part of mainstream healthcare.  (Let’s hope that this changes soon.)  As such, telling your average General Practitioner that you are working with a Functional Medicine practitioner who is an MD, Nurse Practitioner, health coach, etc., will likely be met with at least some suspicion and prejudice – if not complete dismissal.  This is because what people in the Functional Medicine realm do is foreign to them.  

Functional Medicine is just as rooted in science as traditional medicine (arguably moreso).  The difference is that it uses different scientific tests to look much deeper than traditional doctors do into the source of the problem.  Then, when the root causes are identified, the goal is not to treat the symptoms with a prescription, rather, the goal is to address the underlying deficiency, toxicity, or other form of dysregulation in the body through natural means.  

Once the body is back in balance, the person who came in for treatment will take with them the knowledge of what was wrong and why, and more importantly how to maintain the gains that they have made – for a lifetime.  This is in stark contrast to conventional medicine that profits from people staying ill because the cause was never addressed.  The conventional medicine and traditional pharmaceutical model rely on continued illness to ensure repeat appointments and a lifetime of prescription refills.

Choosing the Right Functional Medicine Practitioner

Q: What should I consider when selecting a functional medicine practitioner?

A: When choosing a functional medicine practitioner, consider the following factors:

• Credentials and training: Ensure they have appropriate qualifications and certifications.
• Experience: Look for practitioners with experience in treating your specific condition.
• Approach: Find someone whose approach aligns with your health philosophy and needs.
• Communication: Choose a practitioner who listens, communicates clearly, and makes you feel comfortable.

Functional Medicine and Insurance Coverage

Q: Does insurance cover functional medicine services?

A: Generally speaking, insurance coverage for functional medicine is extremely rare. Some aspects, such as lab tests or visits with a licensed medical doctor, may be reimbursible, while others, like nutritional supplements or certain therapies, may not be. It’s important to check with your insurance provider as this is something that is between you and them.  Intentional Wellness, Inc. does not work with insurance due to the fact that functional medicine is usually not covered.  However, you may submit your receipts for services and tests to them if they tell you that you may be reimbursed.