 
What is functional medicine?
Functional Medicine is the science of creating health.
We treat the whole system, not just the symptoms.
We focus on your whole organism, not just the organs.
It's the medicine of ‘why?’
We use a systems approach to identify and treat 
the underlying causes of disease.
We treat patients with many different conditions.
In fact, we treat people with a whole list of symptoms, 
which is why we call ourselves holistic doctors.
Functional medicine is the future of medicine.
And by shifting the conventional 
disease-centered focus of medical practice 
to a more patient-centered approach, 
we're rethinking disease, rethinking medicine, 
and helping people achieve vibrant health.
Who are we, and what services do we provide?
Our clinical staff includes board certified physicians, 
health coaches, nutritionists, registered dieticians, 
and medical assistants, who work together 
to review each patient's history 
including the genetic, environmental, 
and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health 
and complex chronic disease.
How long is treatment?
Well, it depends on the individual patient's health.
The healing process takes time and patience and persistence.
Some conditions respond within days.
Others take longer, depending on the cause 
and your overall health status.
Healing is a journey, and we’re your partners and guides 
and coaches to support you on your path to wellness.
Now why must I see a nutritionist in functional medicine?
The reason is simple.
Food is medicine, 
and nutritionists are our new prescription pads.
We can't provide good medicine without our nutritionists.
The medical nutrition that they practice 
is very different from what most nutritionists do.
The main treatment we use is diet change, 
including adding foods that help reverse disease 
and eliminating foods that create disease 
and inflammation in the body.
Laboratory testing often uncovers hidden food sensitivities 
that can be very complicated and hard to manage 
without the help of a nutritionist.
Think of our nutritionist 
as your personal nutrition and food specialist.
Will I be prescribed nutritional supplements 
or other medications to help me in reaching my health goals?
Yes you will.
Many health related conditions and concerns 
stem from imbalances and nutritional deficiencies 
that need to be corrected in order for healing to occur.
And therefore, along with diet, nutrients and supplements 
may be prescribed to accelerate the healing process.
However, functional medicine uses whatever treatment 
addresses the root causes of disease 
and helps to restore balance in health 
including medicine and surgery if needed 
or alternative or integrative therapies.
Do functional medicine providers 
communicate with my other health care providers?
Yes we do.
Functional medicine providers 
will collaborate with your other healthcare providers 
and help you achieve optimal health.
Can all the tests be performed at Cleveland Clinic?
All of the testing ordered by your physician 
can be performed at Cleveland Clinic.
Now, some testing must be sent out 
to specialty laboratories 
that do innovative functional medicine testing 
and take a little longer to get their results.
During your medical consultation, 
your physician will determine which tests are needed 
and the clinical team will review the testing recommendations, 
will provide testing instructions, 
including the need for fasting 
and the costs of the specialized tests.
Testing is frequently done to assess nutritional status, 
including amino acids, fatty acids, oxidative stress, 
your vitamin levels, mitochondrial function, 
which is your energy system, your digestive function, 
food allergies, even heavy metals.
Is this covered by insurance?
Some insurance companies may cover the physician visit, 
the nutrition services, as well as many of the tests, 
but please contact your insurance company 
to understand your benefits for services at Cleveland Clinic.
Prior to your appointment, 
you're going to talk to our financial counselor 
to review your coverage.
How do we make an appointment in functional medicine?
Well, if you're interested in making your appointment 
please call the scheduling office at (216) 445-6900. 
We're going to do our best 
to get you an appointment as soon as possible, 
but please be patient with us.
We've had an overwhelming demand for our services 
and for Functional Medicine.
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