Who can Benefit from Functional Medicine?

• Anyone who wants deeper insight into their well-being and long-term health, and is motivated to make healthy changes with the guidance provided by a trained medical provider.

How is Functional Medicine different from other forms of alternative medicine?

• Alternative medicine methods differ, and Functional Medicine stands out because it looks for the root cause of illness instead of just treating symptoms. For example, it aims to reduce inflammation instead of only relieving pain.

• It focuses on you as a whole person, not just your diagnosis.

• The approach includes a full review of your physical, emotional, and mental health, lifestyle, diet, and how your body has responded to stress or injury.

• Treatments are personalized, and usually involve the integration of advanced lab tests.

• This approach includes nutrition advice, lifestyle changes, and herbal remedies.
  

Is it science-based?

• The evaluation and treatment methods used in 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.
  

How are Functional Medicine providers trained?

Functional medicine providers learn 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 from lifestyle, nutritional, and herbal medicine. Sadra Thomas, NP has been trained and certified by the American Academy of Functional Health (AAFH) with additional training through the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM).

Can Functional Medicine replace my primary care provider?

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 your conditions by using prescription or surgery, which a primary care provider or a physician offers.

Is it covered by insurance?

It is not. Medical insurance was initially designed to cover emergency care, such as surgery after an injury. It was not intended to pay for doctor visits or preventative care. In many cases, providers who work under the insurance companies are still functioning in the same way. That is the reason why most primary care visits are done within 7 to 15 minutes.

While primary care services are important, it is almost impossible to complete and full evaluation and understand the external, internal, environmental, and nutritional factors that are aggravating your condition or are keep you ill in 7 to 15 minutes that insurance companies allow.

To spend one-on-one time with you, conduct a comprehensive assessment, develop treatment protocols that are personalized to your body, and educate you – we typically need between 60 to 90 minutes. Unfortunately, many insurance companies do not allow spending extended time with patients and many insurance companies will only cover prescription drugs or surgery.

Remember, this is your body and we believe that you should be the one to decide the type of care that you deserve to get to improve your health.

"He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything."
— Arab Proverb