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What You Should Consider When Choosing A Functional Medicine Practitioner

  1. You want to understand what their philosophy is and does it resonate with yours?
  2. Do they use objective information in addition to subjective, to determine and track areas of imbalance? Also, do they diversify the sources of information?
  3. What tools do they use to support, rebuild the body and improve function and does it align with their overall philosophy (i.e. sources and quality of nutrition and herbs, dietary recommendations, etc.)?
  4. Do they offer a structure and approach, a plan, to help you achieve success where your overall health is concerned? Do they include and provide communication while navigating changes patients are experiencing and make adjustments as needed?
  5. Do they have a truly “wholistic” approach to address the Mind and emotion aspect of illness not just the body?
  6. What is their experience and success rate working with patients? Do they practice what they teach?

Our answer to these questions are as follows:

  1. Our philosophy is built on the fundamental truth that the body heals itself. What heals you is you, your energy (spirit). If this is not happening efficiently then the body either does not have what it needs to promote the healing process or something is interfering. We seek to support your body’s innate intelligence to heal itself, which is to provide your body the proper nutrients (i.e. vitamins, minerals, herbs) for optimal organ, gland and cellular function along with removing anything that interferes with proper function. (i.e. toxins/endocrine disruptors, stealth pathogens, ego based thought patterns, processing of suppressed emotions) Feel free to read about the Seven pillars of health here, The Seven Pillars of Health.

  1. We use objective findings (i.e. blood work, hair tissue mineral analysis, urinalysis, HSR, vitals, InBody and additional testing as deemed necessary) and subjective information (i.e. detailed history, questionnaires relative to digestive function, endocrine function, toxicity, regular symptom based questionnaires). We also do a physical nutrition exam which provides both subjective and objective info. Diversifying information this way provides a broad look at overall function so we can see the different areas that need to be supported and brought back toward balance. In addition, we can cross reference results and changes to be more precise in our corrective, rebuilding and balancing and we can track progress. Please read Practice Policies.

  1. The tools we use are in alignment with our “wholistic” philosophy, that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The opposite philosophy is a Reductionist approach and what the conventional medical model is based on. Many Functional medicine and alternative medicine providers still use tools that are in alignment with this Reductionist philosophy. Here is greater detail on what the difference is, Types of Supplements . We use whole food nutrition and the highest quality western herbs in the world (Clinical nutrition provided). The tools a practitioner uses have a significant effect on a patient’s results. The quality of a person’s dietary intake (food, water, etc.) is foundational to one’s health and there is no substitute for it. We provide guidelines for quality based nutrition and considerations when purchasing and consuming food.

  1. We offer a structured corrective care program (What to Expect) designed to maximize results in the allotted time we determine to provide support and rebuilding to areas of dysfunction, and degeneration. During this time a patient can learn how to support and prevent much of the more common illness we see in our culture today. They will learn how to support themselves based on their genetic and epigenetic factors. Ongoing communication is encouraged and built in to the program as changes will take place and adjustments may be needed. We are on a journey and navigation is required to reach our destination.

  1. We not only consider what’s happening in the body, but the mind and emotions as well. If a person consistently has self-deprecating thoughts, focuses mostly on what they fear or what they don’t want, holds on to feelings of resentment, fear, and anger, these create resistance (stress) in the body and block the body’s ability to heal itself. We are three dimensional beings and it’s important to be aware that a Holistic awareness is defined by the following, the Spirit is the life, the Mind is the builder and the physical is the result. We address the whole person when working towards balancing the mind, body, emotions.

"HEALTH IS THE UNHINDERED EXPRESSION OF LIFE THROUGH THE BODY, TRUTH THROUGH THE MIND AND LOVE THROUGH THE HEART." BILL BAHAN

  1. We have many patients with different issues and challenges experience improvements with overall health and gain an understanding of what contributed to their decline in function and how to support themselves for the long-term. Dr. Williams has experienced her own health challenges and much of her experience comes not just from reading books and attending lectures but addressing and overcoming these challenges within herself. She practices what she teaches. As a result of her experience it is easier for her to relate in others the cause of their suffering and her approach is one of compassion and empathy. Thru her experience she has learned that illness is no different than any other challenge we face in life and provides the opportunity to learn and come to a greater appreciation of life itself.