What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is a patient centred approach, addressing the whole person not just a set of symptoms with a one system fits all response. It promotes health as a positive aspect of life, good health is not simply the absence of disease. A Functional Medicine practitioner will always consider the whole complex web of interactions that includes a clients’ medical history, life story, physical, social and environmental factors as well as your mind, body and spirit which may all contribute to dysfunction.

A Functional Medicine Practitioner will use integrative medicine to help you. Focusing on diet, nutrition, exercise as well as stress management techniques, supplements or changes to your lifestyle to promote health and well being in every client. We are always happy to work with or alongside your GP, consultant or other health care practitioners.

See ifm.org for more information.

Can nutritional therapy and Functional Medicine help me?

Yes. Most of us can improve our health through diet and lifestyle changes. It is not a magical cure with a guarantee of complete success but if you are prepared to put in the effort and to make changes in your life you can improve your general health. There may be no absolute cure for some chronic diseases, but that does not mean you cannot try to improve your symptoms, your overall health and wellbeing. We are living longer and the important thing is to be as fit, happy and healthy as we can be for as long as possible.

What is functional testing?

Functional tests are a range of state of the art laboratory tests that are not available through the NHS. I will always discuss testing with you, if I think it would be appropriate for you or would help us better understand your symptoms by exploring the changes in biochemical pathways that may be occurring. I use a range of labs as they each have different specialities.

Common examples are:
- Stool testing to assess the health of your microbiome and to rule out common pathogens
- Functional blood tests to evaluate biomarkers and your body’s requirement for vitamins, minerals and other nutrients
- Autoimmune evaluations
- Analysis of sex hormones
- Thyroid testing.

About your consultation?

Your consultation can take place in my clinic in South Oxfordshire or on line or by phone. The first step is to complete the forms I will send you and to do so honestly, being as open and truthful as you can. I am not here to judge you for your eating habits or lifestyle but it is important I understand these.

The first consultation lasts approximately 90 minutes. We will go through your medical history in detail, you can explain how you feel, your symptoms, mental health, any aspect of life that you are finding difficult. It is all important for me to know and understand what  is impacting your health and wellbeing, whether that be loneliness, childhood trauma or a chronic medical condition. I will give you some suggestions for dietary or lifestyle changes at this point. We will discuss and agree what you think is achievable and appropriate for you. I do not want you to be overwhelmed with changes that you will struggle to achieve, I want to support you as much as possible.

After this consultation I will carry out scientific research into your particular condition.

At the second appointment we will discuss how you are getting on with the changes I suggested in the first consultation. We will discuss what I have found in my research, whether testing is an appropriate option and I will suggest further recommendations for you, whether dietary or lifestyle changes or supplements.
Subsequent appointments are to support and help you. Diets may need adjusting, supplements varied or test results discussed.

If in doubt, just ask me.