We do a thorough history of your issues including what the previous doctors have diagnosed but we go beyond that. There are many systems involved when a patient has some disease process, not just one body part. For example, if someone has lupus it is important to figure out if the digestive system is a potential contributing system. We use blood work, sophisticated software programs, and in-depth assessment questions.

Symptoms of the disease are the tip of the iceberg. The disease itself lies below the waters. If we treat only symptoms then we are not making people well. For example, in infections, fevers are a symptom and not a disease. In fact, fever is a response by the body to improve our ability to fight infection. But when the cause is identified, perhaps the bacteria of Lyme disease, then we put together a personalized treatment program. We often use acupuncture, nutritional supplements, oriental herbal formulas, detoxification methods, and dietary approaches. Jean Macary is one of the few nurse practitioners in the area Certified in Functional Medicine. Dr. Selma Gladney, DAOM is one of the few acupuncturists in the area that is also certified in Functional Medicine and nutrition.

By observing your unique individual patterns of symptoms and your genetics we can understand the unique strengths and weaknesses of your body and how to best support you. The symptoms may look the same on the surface but are actually quite different underneath.

Education is always a part of your care. Our patients learn about health and how to cultivate health. Many patients, as they take treatments and become healthier, educate others in their community of families and friends. Some patients so dramatically improve they become beacons of health that are sought out to explain how they have regained their health.

Prevention is not just a blood test or annual physical. It is actively taking part in cultivating and building health, it is a responsibility to ourselves we all have. Functional medicine and Oriental medicine treatments incorporate this principle by strengthening the body.

We are a part of nature and an abundant creation provides a tremendous wealth of powerful healing agents. Our bodies always possess self-healing capabilities and our duty as physicians and health practitioners is to strengthen and improve these mechanisms of innate healing. So, in essence, in functional and natural medicine, we look to find pathways and levers to move your body from the not functional well (disease) to that of one of health and relief of symptoms. That is our focus, our training, and our experience.