FAQs

At our functional medicine clinic, we understand that you may have questions about our approach, services, and what to expect. Below are some frequently asked questions to provide you with the information you need. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to us directly.

1. What is Functional Medicine?

Functional Medicine addresses the underlying root cause of disease and moves away from the “sticky-plaster over symptoms” approach. It is a science which focuses on treating the whole person through understanding their individual biochemistry and uses a personalised patient-centred treatment approach. Functional medicine is designed to identify and intervene at the embryonic stage of disease, to ensure optimisation of cellular health and allow the reversal of inflammation before the onset of full-fledged illness.

2. What Sets Our Functional Medicine Clinic Apart?

While many clinics solely focus on lifestyle, we recognise that this may not be the optimal approach for complex medical conditions. At our clinic, we distinguish ourselves as we seamlessly blend the conventional medicine approach with innovative functional medicine strategies. Once the body reaches cellular healing, we can gradually taper off conventional treatments if appropriate. By employing advanced and deeper conventional tests we ensure that no diagnosis has been missed; and with the integration of functional medicine testing, we aim to transform human cellular biochemistry through nutrition, supplements and lifestyle measures. Furthermore, we believe in empowering the individual to own and steer their own health journey. Patient education remains at the heart of our consultations.

3. What Conditions Do We Treat?

We specialise in addressing a wide range of chronic conditions, with a speciality interest in complex medical conditions and unexplained medical symptoms. We commonly treat autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, thyroid disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. We also specialists in teen health. We may advise seeing a functional medicine specialist for cancer care as we are not specialists in this field. A list of conditions we treat can be found here.

4. What Can I Expect in a Functional Medicine Consultation?

Before your first appointment, you will be sent a medical questionnaire and this will be reviewed by the doctor prior to your consultation. During your consultation, the doctor will take a thorough medical history and plot a timeline before recommending specialised testing. The goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of your health journey and join the dots to gain insight into every aspect of your physical being. This is then analysed with your lab tests in depth to create a personalised treatment plan.

5. Can We Work Remotely?

Yes, our clinic offers remote consultations. We understand the importance of accessibility and flexibility, and our team is equipped to provide comprehensive care through virtual appointments. Lab tests can be conducted remotely via a home phlebotomy service.

6. Do You Accept Insurance?

We recommend checking with your insurance provider to determine coverage. Typically, UK insurance providers do not cover functional medicine and therefore we do not work directly with insurance companies. However, we are more than willing to provide you with the necessary documentation to facilitate the submission of claims for reimbursement.

7. How Long Does Treatment Take?

The duration of treatment plans vary depending on the individual and complexity of the health issues. We typically target 3-6 month treatment plans. This is because the cellular biochemistry begins adjusting after 3 months of treatment and with reviews at the end of the treatment cycle allows us to measure these biochemical changes which take place. Our focus is on achieving long-term health improvements, and treatment plans are adjusted as required.

8. Is Functional Medicine Safe?

Yes, Functional Medicine is safe when practiced by qualified healthcare professionals. Our team includes experienced and licensed practitioners dedicated to providing safe and effective care.

9. Can I Use Functional Medicine Alongside Conventional Treatments?

Absolutely. We encourage obtaining consent to share your reports with your NHS GP, so that you can benefit from a shared care approach to optimal health. We also send referrals to conventional specialists as required, as we understand that collaboration ensures a comprehensive and multidisciplinary healthcare strategy.

10. Is Functional Medicine Only for Treating Illness?

Functional Medicine is not just about treating illness; it’s also about optimising health and preventing disease. Our approach involves utilising specialised scans and blood markers as screening tools to proactively enhance health and prevent disease.

11. How Can I Schedule an Appointment?

You can schedule an appointment by contacting us. Our team will be happy to assist you in setting up a consultation and any questions you may have.