What is Functional Medicine?
Our functional medicine team utilizes a holistic approach to treat chronic diseases, focusing significantly on nutrition. This approach empowers you to lead a healthier life from the inside out.
The functional medicine model prioritizes patient-centered care for chronic disease management. It seeks to answer the question, “Why are you ill?” to provide you with personalized and effective care tailored to your needs.
At Gard Wellness, our functional medicine providers spend ample time listening to you and gathering your comprehensive medical history. This information helps us identify the root causes of your illness, including factors like poor nutrition, stress, toxins, allergens, genetics, and your microbiome (the bacteria living in and on your body).
Once we identify these triggers, we customize a holistic health plan for you. This plan covers various aspects of your life, from physical needs like nutrition, exercise, and sleep to mental and emotional stressors related to social, work, and community life.
Why Choose Gard Wellness for Functional Medicine?
Patient-Centered Care
We focus on understanding you, not just your illness. Before your initial appointment, we take an extensive medical history and lifestyle assessment to get a complete picture of your health. This assessment helps us identify disease triggers and develop a holistic treatment plan tailored to you.
Skilled, Collaborative Providers
Our team of caregivers supports you throughout your wellness journey. You will have access to a provider (physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner), registered dietitian, health coach, and/or behavioral health therapist. Our collaborative approach ensures comprehensive support and care.
Convenient Care
We offer both in-person and virtual appointments, available in one-on-one and shared settings. All our services include a medical evaluation by our team members. Our shared medical appointment program, Functioning for Life, includes tracks for Autoimmune conditions, Weight Management, Diabetes, Women’s Health, and Digestive Disorders.
Innovation and Research
We are continually studying the effectiveness of functional medicine on various health issues. Our commitment to research ensures that our methods are up-to-date and effective.
The cornerstone of functional medicine is using food as a first-line therapy. Proper nutrition combined with lifestyle and behavioral interventions can significantly improve your health.
Conditions We Treat with Functional Medicine
Functional medicine can benefit anyone facing a chronic condition. Some common conditions we treat include:
- Digestive issues, IBS, IBD, GERD
- Hormonal imbalances
- Autoimmune diseases
- Difficulty losing or gaining weight
- Skin problems
- High blood sugar, diabetes & metabolic syndrome
- Joint & muscle pain
- Headaches & migraines
- Poor energy & chronic fatigue
- Low immunity & allergies
- Cognitive decline
- Mood disorders
- Irregular cycles & fertility problems
What to Expect
BBefore your first visit, you will complete an extensive medical history questionnaire. This questionnaire serves as the foundation for our investigation into the root causes of your chronic condition, covering various aspects such as:
- Lifestyle: This section delves into your daily habits, including your diet, activity level, work-life balance, hobbies, and stressors. Understanding your lifestyle helps us identify any patterns or behaviors that might be contributing to your health issues.
- Genetics: Here, we gather information about your family history, focusing on any physical and mental conditions that may have been present in your relatives. This genetic background can provide crucial insights into predispositions and hereditary factors that may influence your health.
- Environment: In this part of the questionnaire, we explore your exposure to toxins and allergens, both in your home and workplace. Environmental factors can significantly impact your health, and identifying these exposures is vital for a comprehensive treatment plan.
During your first appointment, you will experience a thorough and holistic approach to understanding and addressing your health concerns. This initial visit is designed to be comprehensive and includes several key components:
- Reviewing Your Health History: Our provider will carefully review the information you provided in your medical history questionnaire. This step ensures that we have a detailed understanding of your past and current health status, enabling us to identify potential root causes of your condition.
- Performing a Physical Exam: A thorough physical examination will be conducted to assess your overall health and identify any physical signs that may be related to your symptoms. This exam helps us gather more data to support our investigation.
- Ordering Lab Tests and Specialized Blood Tests: Based on your health history and physical exam, our provider may recommend specific lab tests and specialized blood tests. These tests are crucial for obtaining a deeper understanding of your biochemical and physiological status, helping us pinpoint any imbalances or deficiencies.
- Introducing You to Our “Food as Medicine” Philosophy: At Gard Wellness, we believe in the power of nutrition to heal and transform health. During your visit, you will be introduced to our “food as medicine” philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of a balanced, nutrient-dense diet in supporting your body’s natural healing processes.
- Identifying Your Health Goals: Our provider will work with you to identify your health goals and priorities. This collaborative approach ensures that your treatment plan is tailored to your unique needs and aspirations, empowering you to take an active role in your health journey.
- Discussing Treatments and Follow-Up Care: Based on the findings from your health history, physical exam, and lab tests, we will develop a personalized treatment plan. This plan will address the root causes of your condition and include recommendations for follow-up care to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
This initial visit, lasting about three to four hours, is designed to be a comprehensive and collaborative experience. By the end of your appointment, you will have a clear understanding of the factors contributing to your health issues and a personalized plan to address them. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to take control of your health and achieve lasting wellness.
Taking the Next Step
Make a significant change in your health from the inside out. Gard Wellness offers in-person and virtual options for one-on-one and shared medical appointments. Unsure which program suits you best? Explore our programs to find the one that meets your needs. To speak with a member of our team, please call (919) 322-4383.
Ready to transform your health? Contact Gard Wellness today to schedule your appointment and begin your journey toward a healthier, more vibrant life.
