Functional medicine
What is Integrative/Functional Medicine?
Welcome to Dawson Integrative Medical Center! We often get asked, "What do you do here and what is Integrative Functional Medicine?" Let me answer some simple questions.
We are a Primary Care Provider with a Twist. Functional Medicine focuses on treating the root cause of diseases and symptoms. We listen to you and partner with you in YOUR healthcare. We perform testing that is a bit more in depth and more comprehensive than you might have done at your normal PCP office; which gets you the answers you need.
Integrative Medicine means the combination of natural, alternative and traditional medicine modalities of treatment (a little bit of this and a little bit of that). Functional Medicine means finding the root cause or underlying factors of issues, looking at the entire body as a whole (aka holistic), asking the "why" questions and offering education, prevention and wellness. The body has an incredible way to self-regulate and heal when given the right tools, knowledge, and treatment plan. Treatment plans include everything from lifestyle recommendations, acupuncture, supplements, herbal medicine, wellness & vitamin injections.....to prescription medicine, if indicated. Our specialty areas are internal medicine relating to the reversal of chronic diseases, pain management, hormone health, thyroid management, weight loss, autoimmune, immune deficiencies, gut health, mental health and comprehensive wellness visits.
A diagnosis can be the result of more than one cause. For example, depression can be caused by many different factors, including inflammation. Likewise, a cause such as inflammation may lead to a number of different diagnoses, including depression. The precise manifestation of each cause depends on the individual’s genes, environment, and lifestyle, and only treatments that address the right cause will have lasting benefit beyond symptom suppression.
Rebuild your health from the inside out. We offer a doctor-led, holistic approach to medicine proven to treat the root cause of your health issues.
We look at genetic and lifestyle factors to find the best way to treat the root cause of your symptoms. From nutrition, exercise, and stress management to herbal medicine, supplements, and even prescription medications....we do it all. We offer in-depth, comprehensive laboratory testing, scientific analysis, and diagnosis to help identify the root cause and develop a customized treatment plan.
A personalized approach to medicine.
We see patients with a variety of health concerns. Many of them have tried traditional medical treatments in the past only to be left frustrated, feeling unheard, and continuing to struggle with painful conditions.
Some of the most common of those conditions are:
-Hormone Symptoms (men & women)
-Thyroid Management
-Weight Management
-Adrenal Fatigue
-Anxiety/Depression
-Chronic Pain
-Fibromyalgia
-Migraines
-Chronic Infections or Recurrent Illness
-Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Digestive Upset
-Autoimmune Issues
-Mast Cell Activation or Histamine Intolerance (MCAS)
-Mental Health Symptoms
-Mold Illness or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)
-Heavy metal Toxicity
-Gut Issues/Dysbiosis/SIBO
-Autism
-MTHFR Mutations & SNPs
-PANS/PANDAS
-"the unknown"
Conditions or Diseases Treated with Integrative/Functional Medicine
GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Acid Reflux, Leaky Gut, Food Intolerances
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
Celiac Disease, Hashimoto’s Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Lupus, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and more
CHRONIC INFECTIONS
Parasites, Tick-Borne Pathogens,
Epstein-Barr Virus, Cytomegalovirus, COVID long haul, Recurrent illness
FATIGUE
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Adrenal Fatigue, Hypothyroid
HORMONE IMBALANCES
Adrenal, Thyroid, Sex Hormones, PMS, PMDD, Menopause, Andropause (we see teens, men & women)
DETOXIFICATION
Metal and Heavy Metal Toxicity, Chemical, Mold/CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome)
MENTAL HEALTH
Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Brain Fog, PMS, ADD, Hyperactivity
FIBROMYALGIA
General Joint & Body Pain Syndromes
MIGRAINE HEADACHES
Chronic Headaches and Migraines
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Individualized Program Designed Just For You!
Functional Medicine doctors see patients every day who suffer from fatigue, thyroid problems, digestive problems, weight gain, muscle problems, cardiovascular disease, memory loss, foggy thinking or other exhausting conditions. They come to us after other doctors have dismissed their symptoms, telling them there is nothing more they can do. We are dedicated to working with you until we uncover the root cause of your problem. We combine experience, intuition and the latest proven testing protocols to detect any imbalances that affect your health and vitality.
What to expect in functional medicine appointments
YOUR FIRST VISIT (Intake & Physical Assessment)...
You will see either Dr. Christina or Dr. Walter for your new patient visit. At your first visit, we will spend time reviewing your medical history and your current complaints, concerns and symptoms. Part of Functional Medicine is being able to connect the dots and put together the pieces of the puzzle. Comprehensive blood work and any other testing (imaging, etc) will be ordered. This is crucial to be able to properly diagnose and create an appropriate treatment plan. The blood work that we order will include more than what your typical doctor has previously tested for. We always start with traditional blood work at traditional labs, like Quest or Labcorp. If we are able to get the information we need from this panel, we will not need to test any further. Otherwise, we might recommend some of our Specialized Functional Medicine testing options we have OR you have the option to request them. Any recommendations will be given to you in the meantime until we meet again for your follow up to review all results.
YOUR FIRST FOLLOW UP VISIT (Results, Diagnosis & Treatment Plan)...
You will see the same provider you saw at your new patient visit. Roughly 2 weeks after your first appointment, we will meet again for your follow up visit. At this visit, we will review all your results in detail. Tests will be explained to you and what the results mean. A treatment plan will be created that is unique to YOUR situation. Treatment plans will involve natural approaches, alternative approaches, and traditional approaches-and/or a combination. We will discuss the pros/cons and risks/benefits of each. Each treatment plan will always include lifestyle recommendations because lifestyle is the most important medicine we have! Natural approaches include supplement protocols, herbal medicines or bio-natural forms of medications. Alternative approaches include complementary medicine, such as acupuncture. Traditional approaches include conventional medicine, such as prescriptions. Often times, a combination of all approaches might be appropriate. If a referral to a specialist is needed, we will coordinate that as well. Once a decision has been made, all information will be given to you to start your treatment!
We always advise our patients that natural approaches are the safest approach to take. While, natural treatments can often take longer to work, the effectiveness is all the same. If at any time, we need to modify your treatment, we can certainly do that.
SUBSEQUENT FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENTS...
The interval at which you will need to be seen will be determined by the type of treatment you are on. Natural treatments are typically seen in the office every 6 months or as needed. If you are on a traditional treatment with medication, this will vary based on the medication and how you are progressing.
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ALL NEW PATIENTS must see either Dr. Christina or Dr. Walter to establish with the practice (new patient visit and the first follow up visit). After these two appointments, if a patient elects a treatment involving ongoing medication management, they will see the nurse practitioner at regular follow ups and not the doctors. Dr. Christina and Dr. Walter do not prescribe ongoing medications. If you elect a more natural treatment option, you will see either Dr. Christina or Dr. Walter. The nurse practitioner is only when medications are involved. Please note that you do NOT have to see the doctors AND the nurse practitioner (unless you want to:) )
