Functional Medicine

WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE?
Functional medicine identifies and treats the upstream causes of disease and helps you make the lifestyle changes necessary to restore vitality and good health. Chronic health conditions are often the product of imbalances and dysfunctions in the body’s natural processes. Instead of treating the symptoms with pharmaceuticals and/or surgery, as conventional medicine often does, Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes.

WHO NEEDS FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE?
Anyone managing chronic health conditions who is ready to work closely with a provider towards long-term relief. Functional Medicine can help manage the following conditions:

  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Preventative Cardiology (Lipid Management)
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Hormone Dysfunction (PMS, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, Menopause Management)
  • Thyroid Disorders
  • Fatigue
  • Environmental and Food Allergies
  • Mood Disorders
  • Autoimmune disorders
    Dr. Dacker does not specialize in Autism, Chronic Pain, Chronic Environmental Illness, or Heavy Metal Detoxification.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT METHODS?
Dr. Dacker will evaluate your medical history, lab test results, genetics, and lifestyle, then create a personalized treatment plan with the goal of restoring your body’s natural balance most effectively. Your treatment plan will add what is lacking and remove what is hindering your body from achieving a state of optimal functioning. Most treatments consist of a combination of nutritional and lifestyle changes, natural remedies such as supplements or botanical medicines, and possibly a detoxification program. Stress-management techniques are often useful and emotional counseling may be recommended. Pharmaceuticals are only used when necessary to help optimize your body’s natural processes, but are not used as a long-term solution. Dr. Dacker’s goal with Functional Medicine is to help you achieve and maintain optimal wellness. As you restore balance to your body and eliminate the root cause of your symptoms. You will acquire the knowledge and tools that you need to take responsibility for your own health and quality of life.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEEING DR. DACKER AS MY PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR VS. FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE?
As a primary care physician, Dr. Dacker incorporates her Functional Medicine knowledge to better treat all her patients, but due to her time limitations, she is unable to offer full-service Functional Medicine in the primary care setting. If there is a specific problem that no other doctor has been able to help you with other than to give you medication, and you are ready to work toward a long term improvement, then a Functional Medicine consultation is recommended. Functional Medicine visits are often an hour long.

Please note that the lab tests required may not be fully covered by your insurance and the cost to you can range from $200 to over $1,000.