04/30/2025
What is Functional Medicine
Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that treats chronic health conditions by addressing the root causes of disease. Specifically, Autoimmunity, Neurological conditions, Hormonal disorders, Cardiovascular conditions, Digestive issues, Skin disorders, and Viral infections like COVID-19 are all commonly seen at a Functional Practitioners Office.
Functional medicine practitioners use a systems biology approach to identify and address the root causes of disease. They consider many factors, including:
• Triggers such as poor nutrition, stress, toxins, allergens, genetics, and your microbiome
• The precise manifestation of each cause depends on the individual's genes, environment, and lifestyle
Functional medicine practitioners spend time listening to patients and gathering their medical history. They use this information to create personalized treatment plans. Functional medicine appointments are longer than most traditional medical visits.
Before your first visit, you complete an extensive medical history questionnaire. The information you provide lays the groundwork for our investigation into the root cause(s) of your current chronic condition. The extensive medical history questionnaire will ask you about your:
• Lifestyle: Including your diet, activity level, work life, hobbies and stressors.
• Genetics: Including your family history of physical and mental conditions.
• Environment: Including your exposure to toxins and allergens.
During your first appointment, you’ll have a one-on-one visit with Dr Carrie Verkuilen. At your first visit we will review your health history. Then we will Introduce you to our “food as medicine” philosophy, identify your health goals and discuss treatments and follow-up care. At this time, we may decide to order specific lab tests and perform specialized blood tests to help guide us in this journey.
