How To Find A Functional Doctor

I'm all about getting to the root cause of pain. It can takes time, money, and perseverance; but once the root cause is found, you find real relief that lasts.

My most successful mental wellness milestones include a functional practitioner. I like to think of them as medical detectives. Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on treating the root cause of illness, rather than just managing symptoms. They are comfortable with the fact that patients won't need to come back for more help with an issue after they have helped solve the case.  

How do I find a functional doctor? 

I get this questions a lot. Finding a functional practitioner who can support your mental and physical wellness goals can be a valuable addition to your healthcare team. Here are some tips and steps to help you get started and find a functional practitioner for your wellness team:

1. Research Online

Start by doing some online research to find functional medicine practitioners in your area. You can do a search for terms like functional medicine doctors, naturopathic doctors, and functional nutritionists. Institute for Functional Medicine has a great resource through their 'Find A Practitioner' page to sift through a huge referral network of the functional medicine community.

2. Check Credentials

Look for practitioners who have completed training and certification in functional medicine. You can also check if they are licensed or certified by relevant professional organizations. If you don't know what the letters behind their name are you can do another search for those titles to understand their credentials more fully.

3. Ask For Referrals

Ask for recommendations from friends, family, and other healthcare providers. They may know of functional practitioners who have helped them or other people they know.

4. Schedule A Consultation

Once you have identified a few potential practitioners, schedule a consultation to learn more about their approach to functional medicine and how they can support your mental and physical wellness.

5. Ask Questions

During the consultation, ask questions to help you understand the practitioner's philosophy, treatment approach, and how they can help you achieve your health goals. Some good questions to ask include:

• What is your experience with treating conditions similar to mine?

• What is your approach to treating the root cause of illness?

• What types of tests do you use to diagnose and treat patients?

• What dietary and lifestyle changes do you recommend?

• Do you work with other healthcare providers to coordinate care?

6. Evaluate the practitioner

After the consultation, evaluate the practitioner to determine if they are a good fit for you. Consider factors such as their expertise, communication skills, and whether you feel comfortable working with them.

7. Follow Through

Once you have chosen a functional practitioner, follow through with their recommendations and treatment plan. Be sure to communicate any concerns or questions you have along the way.

You'll have a partner to figure it out and get relief!

Finding a functional practitioner to support your mental and physical wellness can be a valuable addition to your healthcare team. By doing your research, asking questions, and evaluating practitioners, you can find a functional practitioner who can help you achieve optimal health and wellbeing.

Helpful Resources

• Patient Resource Portal | IFM

• How To Find A Functional Medicine Doctor | A Well Theory Blog

• Find Functional Medicine Providers by State | WebMD