PRECISION HEALTH ALASKA
Functional and Integrative Medicine
for
Optimal Health & Wellness
Find out what is really causing your symptoms.
What is Functional and Integrative Medicine?
Precision Health is personalized care which takes an individual’s risk factors, genetics, and lifestyle behaviors into account to develop a care plan tailored to you, instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Care plans are developed with the whole person in mind, through comprehensive medical assessments, nutrition analysis, and lifestyle evaluation using a Functional Medicine root cause approach, instead of simply masking symptoms with medications.
In partnership with you, care plans are designed using an Integrative Medicine healing-oriented approach that is informed by scientific evidence, addresses prevention of illness, and uses all appropriate therapies and modalities of benefit when needed, seeking first the most natural and least invasive whenever possible.
Functional and Integrative Medicine is a personalized approach to healthcare which involves understanding the prevention, management, and root causes of complex chronic disease. The ultimate goal is to heal disease and promote a healthy life. A healthy life is not defined as simply an absence of disease, but rather positive vitality filled with energy, joy, gratitude, and balance.
Functional and Integrative Medicine does not reject conventional medicine, instead it uses conventional medicine as a foundation on which to add new dimensions in the evaluation, management, and prevention of chronic disease.
Functional and Integrative Medicine focuses on the following practices:
-
Providing Patient-Centered Care: By actually hearing the patient's history, learning their story and relating it back to them in the context of their symptoms or problems, the provider and patient can enter into the discovery process together and then develop a management plan to address the personalized needs of the patient.
-
Utilizing an Integrative, Science-Based Methodology: Using the latest in medical research, in conjunction with clinical experience and patient preferences, the provider can look "upstream" into the complex web of interactions which can lead to illness from the patient's genes, history, physiology, diet, and lifestyle. It is a true "inside-out" approach, starting inside the patient's unique genetic makeup and then outward to identify physiological imbalances expressing themselves as symptoms, disease, or disorders. Central to all of this are the often overlooked aspect of internal factors, such as mind, body, and spirit, and external factors, such as the physical and social environment. Each of these aspects are vital to examine in order to evaluate the patient for optimal function.
-
Integration of Best Practices across Multiple Disciplines: If it works, use it! The Functional and Integrative approach utilizes traditional Western medical practices with other types of approaches from around the world. This integration of medical traditions is used to create an emphasis on:
-
Prevention of disease through nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle.
-
Use of the latest laboratory testing and diagnostic techniques.
-
Prescribed combinations of pharmaceuticals (when necessary), botanicals, nutraceuticals, supplements, therapeutic diets, exercise plans, rehabilitation plans, detoxification programs, and stress management techniques.
-
Functional and Integrative Medicine focuses on
The Five Pillars of Health
Eliminate and Mitigate Stress and Optimize Hormone Levels
Make Healthy Nutrition Choices and Maintain Detoxification Pathways
Maintain Physical Activity through Movement and Exercise
Get Enough Sleep for Health and Recovery
Emotional and Spiritual Health for Overall Wellness
How is Functional & Integrative Medicine Different from the Conventional Western Medicine Approach?
Functional & Integrative Medicine
-
Health Oriented
-
Patient Centered
-
Biochemical Individuality
-
Most Effective for Chronic Illness
-
Holistic
-
Cost-effective
-
Long-term Results
-
Seeks Root Cause of Disease
-
Primary Prevention of Disease
Conventional Western Medicine
-
Disease Oriented
-
Provider Centered
-
One-size Fits All
-
Geared for Acute Illness
-
Insurance Coverage Dictates Care
-
Long-term Treatment & Management of Symptoms
-
Diagnosis based on Symptoms
-
Treats Disease after it is already Present
Why is Functional and Integrative Medicine Needed?
Society is experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of people suffering from complex, chronic disease, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, mood disorders, and mental illness.
In Conventional Western Medicine,
Healing the Patient has become replaced with Treating the Patient.
This change in terminology implies the patient's problems are permanent, with the goal of managing symptoms with a lifetime of ever increasing medications. Patients need an approach which embraces healing by addressing the root cause of their problems, rather than perpetually trimming the leaves of their symptoms.
Functional and Integrative Medicine is that approach.
We get to the Root Cause of the Issue.
Chronic and Acute
Health Conditions are Addressed with
Functional and Integrative Medicine
-
Diabetes Prevention, Care and Reversal
-
Weight Loss Management and Support
-
Men's Hormonal Health, such as low libido, erectile dysfunction, mental fog
-
Women's Hormonal Health, menstrual changes/concerns, PMS, perimenopause, menopause
-
Thyroid Optimization and Disorders, such as Hashimotos Autoimmune, hypothyroidism
-
Adrenal Conditions and Stress Reduction/Management
-
Cardiovascular Disease Conditions, High blood pressure, High cholesterol
-
Sinus or Respiratory Infection, Asthma Management, Ear Infections, Colds and Flus
-
Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances
-
Urinary Tract Infection, Incontinence, Pelvic Floor Concerns
-
Depression, Anxiety, and other Mood Disorders
-
Digestive disturbances, such as Leaky Gut, SIBO, H-pylori Infection, IBS, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, etc.
-
Skin concerns, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis
-
Musculoskeletal Pain
-
Migraines, Headaches
-
and more.
Functional and Integrative Medicine's Approach to Assessment
Assessment focuses on the patient's fundamental core clinical functions through an in-depth history, physical examination, and laboratory/diagnositic testing.
Mutiple factors are considered, such as:
Core Clinical Functions, Environmental Impacts, Genetics, and Mind-Body Elements.
Core Clinical Functions:
These are the fundamental physiological processes which keep all of us alive. All of the core clinical functions are influenced by the environment, our genes, and our mental state. When imbalanced, they can lean to symptoms and disease. It is within these core clinical imbalances that the root cause for all chronic illness and disease may be found. The seven core clinical functions are:
-
Assimilation: digestion, absorption, microbiome
-
Defense & Repair: Immune system and inflammation
-
Energy: Energy regulation and mitochondrial function
-
Biotransformation & Elimination: Toxicity and detoxification
-
Communication: Hormones, neurotransmitters, immune messengers, cognition
-
Transport: Cardiovascular and lymphatic system
-
Structural Integrity from sub-cellular membranes to the musculoskeletal system
Environmental Inpacts: Some Researchers have estimated up to 80% of chronic disease risk is attributed to lifestyle choices. To address chronic disease you MUST address lifestyle choices. Some of the most important modifiable lifestyle factors are:
-
The quality and quantity of the food you eat
-
The type of diet you follow
-
The amount of physical activity and exercise you perform
-
The amount and quality of sleep you get
-
The quality and quantity of the water you drink
-
Your exposures to toxins
-
Physical, Mental, and/or Emotional Traumas you have experienced
Genetics:
Every person has a unique set of genes which may cause varying levels of susceptibility to disease. Although having a genetic blueprint may be helpful for assessing disease, you must realize your DNA is not your destiny. New research has shown gene expression is influenced by many factors in the environment, as well as by the experiences, attitudes, and beliefs of the patient. This is referred to as Epigenetics. People can change the way their genes are activated and expressed through their actions.
Mind-Body Elements:
Social, Psychological, and Spiritual Factors can have an immense influence on health. One of the biggest, most damaging, and often overlooked impacts on a person's overall wellbeing is Stress and how it is responded to. Assessing these elements are essential for a truly holistic approach to patient care.
What is the Functional Medicine Process Like?
Getting started with a Functional Medicine work-up is a process; it takes time. All that makes up your health journey is important and taking the time to truly listen to all of it is what sets this experience apart from your previous health care visits. You will not be limited to only talking about 2-3 of your most important health concerns - We want to hear about them ALL, because they are ALL important. You are a whole entity and what affects one part of you affects others.
Step 1 – Discovery:
The first step towards developing a personalized wellness plan for you begins with the comprehensive assessment questionnaires which digs into your health symptoms, past medical history, current nutrition, exercise, stress level, and sleep routines, supplements or medications you are receiving, and your own particular health goals. Before your first appointment you will receive questionnaires designed to gather these important details to ensure a highly productive discussion during our first visit together. These forms must be completed at least 24 hours prior your appointment to allow adequate time to review them and prepare for your visit.
Step 2 – Initial Visit:
This first visit will last between 60-90 minutes or more depending on your own unique needs and complexity. During the consultation, we will review your intake assessment in greater detail, individual diagnostic tests you may need will be discussed and ordered as needed, and a plan of action will be developed.
Step 3 – Follow-up Visit:
Once your test results have been received, or you have been working through the established plan for about 1 month, a follow-up visit will be scheduled which will last approximately an hour. During this visit, we will review your progress and any test results with you, explaining results of each to ensure your understanding. Your personalized care plan will be developed or updated to be tailored to your needs and health goals.
Step 4 – Follow-up Visits for continued support and care as needed:
These are unique to each patient’s individual needs. These may be once monthly to once yearly. This depends on you and your needs. For each step, and for each patient, you can be assured you will receive our full attention and best care. We will take the time needed to ensure each patient is fully heard and their needs are addressed.
Functional & Integrative Medicine Fee Schedule
Transparent and Straightforward
No Hidden Costs
Non-Membership Clinic Visits
Patients who have medical insurance, who want to seek reimbursement for their care, would benefit from the non-membership fee schedule, as a super-bill will be provided for services which can be submitted the insurance company for possible reimbursement. Insurance companies are not likely to reimburse for membership fees.
Clinic Visit Fees are
straight forward and time-based, as follows:
In-person / Telemedicine
0-30 minute visit: $200
31-60 minute visit $300
61-90 minute visit $400
91+ minute visit $500
Visit times vary based on patient complexity and concerns.
If specific procedures outside of a normal office visit are required or if supplies are necessary for treatment, (ex. sutures, pap smear, etc) additional costs will be discussed at time of service.
None of the above prices include:
Testosterone Optimization, Peptide Therapy, or Weight Loss Membership visits,
Lab or Diagnostic Testing Costs/Fees, or Medications.