What Is Functional Medicine?

What Is Functional Medicine?

Dec 30, 2024

Functional medicine is a personalized, science-based approach to healthcare that looks at you as a whole person—not just a list of symptoms or lab results. It’s about uncovering the root cause of your health concerns, whether it’s chronic fatigue, digestive issues, or hormonal imbalances, and finding the right solutions to address them.


Here’s what makes functional medicine so different: it doesn’t assume the same treatment works for everyone. Even if two people share the same diagnosis, their causes and solutions may be entirely different. That’s where the magic of personalization comes in.
For example, if you’re struggling with constant heartburn, the functional medicine approach wouldn’t stop at prescribing antacids. Instead, it would ask: What’s really causing this? Is it your diet? Stress? A gut imbalance? When we uncover the "why," we can fix the root problem—not just the symptoms.


How Does Functional Medicine Work?

Functional medicine may sound detailed (and it is), but it’s not overwhelming. In fact, it’s often the small, meaningful steps we take together that make the biggest difference. Here’s how the process works:


  1. Getting to Know You
  2. It starts with a deep dive into your health story—everything from your diet and sleep to your stress levels and family history. Every detail helps paint a clearer picture of what’s happening in your body.


  1. Advanced Testing (If Needed)
  2. While not always necessary, functional medicine testing can offer helpful insights. These tests might look at your gut health, nutrient levels, hormones, or even genetics. But don’t worry, we’ll only do what feels practical and helpful for your specific situation.



  1. Finding the Root Cause
  2. This is where the detective work comes in! Whether it’s inflammation, food sensitivities, or even your environment, we’ll uncover what’s contributing to your symptoms.


  1. Personalized Solutions
  2. Together, we’ll create a plan that fits your life. That might mean tweaking your diet, adding specific supplements, or working on stress and sleep habits. It’s about progress, not perfection, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.


Why Functional Medicine Works

One of the things I love most about functional medicine is how empowering it is. When we uncover the root causes of your symptoms, you not only feel better—you understand your health on a deeper level.


For example:

  • A client with constant fatigue found relief by addressing a vitamin deficiency and improving their sleep routine.

  • Another client struggling with gut issues learned that their favorite “healthy” food was triggering inflammation. A simple change made all the difference.


These aren’t massive, unattainable lifestyle overhauls. They’re realistic steps that lead to lasting change.




What Functional Medicine Can Help With

Functional medicine can address a wide variety of issues, including:


  • Chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
  • Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s or rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Digestive problems, like bloating, IBS, or food intolerances.
  • Hormonal imbalances, including thyroid issues, PCOS. Perimenopause and Menopause.
  • Mental health challenges like anxiety or brain fog.


And maybe even more importantly, it’s amazing for preventing health issues and helping you feel your best as you age.



What It’s Like to Work With Me

If you decide to explore functional medicine with me, you won’t be met with judgment or impossible standards. I understand that life is busy, and making health changes can feel daunting. My goal is to make this process approachable, realistic, and empowering for you.
I’m not here to hand you a laundry list of things to do—I’m here to walk alongside you, explaining the “why” behind each step we take. I want you to leave our time together not just feeling better but equipped with the tools to stay well for the rest of your life.





Take the First Step

Functional medicine changed the way I view health, and I believe it can change yours too. If you’ve been searching for answers and feeling like something is missing in your care, this could be the approach that finally makes sense.


Let’s uncover the "why" behind your symptoms and take steps toward real, lasting health. You deserve to feel your best—and to truly understand how to maintain it.


If you are curious to find out if this approach is for you please schedule a FREE 15 minute consult with me and we can find out if it could be.


Sarah Belcher, FMP, CHC, CPT.