Functional Medicine
A science-based, patient-centered way to address root causes and support long-term wellness.
What Is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine looks at the whole person, not just a list of symptoms. It focuses on how your systems connect and influence each other. The goal is to find and correct underlying imbalances in the body. Patients are active partners in their care, not passive recipients.
Goals and Purpose
- Identify and address root causes of illness.
- Restore balance to key body systems.
- Help prevent disease before it appears.
- Support the body’s natural healing ability.
- Personalize care based on genetics and environment.
- Use lifestyle and nutrition to promote resilience.
Core Areas of Care
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- Detailed health history and lifestyle review.
- Advanced lab tests when needed. (Blood Work)
- Nutrition and dietary therapy. (Nutritional Balancing, Weight Loss)
- Nutraceuticals and botanical support.
- Lifestyle medicine and stress reduction.
- Detoxification and environmental health. (Ozone Therapy)
- Gut health and microbiome support.
- Hormone balance and immune modulation. (Hormone Analysis Test)
- Regenerative medicine and wellness therapies where appropriate.
- Ongoing education so patients feel informed.
Nutritional Balancing
Nutritional balancing uses personalized nutrition plans to support internal chemistry. Testing can guide targeted changes with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. The focus is on restoring balance, not just masking symptoms. This approach supports detoxification, hormone health, and gut function.
Functional vs Conventional Models
Conventional models often focus on symptom control and quick visits. This approach emphasizes root-cause thinking and longer visits.
| Aspect | Functional Model | Conventional Model |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Root-cause, systems focused | Symptom based |
| Goal | Restore function and prevent disease | Control or reduce symptoms |
| Patient Role | Active partner in healing | More passive in care |
| Treatments | Lifestyle, nutrition, natural tools | Drugs, procedures, surgery |
| Time with Patient | Longer, in-depth visits | Short, focused visits |
| View of Disease | Imbalance that can shift | Fixed diagnosis to manage |
| Labs | Optimal ranges for health | Pathology thresholds |
Key Takeaway
This approach uses low-risk, science-based tools first. Medications and surgery are reserved for when they are truly needed. The aim is a resilient body that can adapt and thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can this approach help with?
It is often used for chronic issues, fatigue, gut problems, hormone shifts, and prevention.
How is the first visit different?
Your first visit usually lasts longer and explores history, lifestyle, and environment.
Will I still see my regular doctor?
Yes. This care is designed to work alongside your current medical team.
Are lab tests included?
Labs may be ordered if they add value to your plan and goals.
How involved do I need to be?
You play a central role. Plan success depends on your engagement and follow-through.
Evidence & Research on Functional Medicine
Functional Medicine is still an emerging field, but a growing number of studies suggest benefits for patient-reported outcomes, chronic disease management, and cost-effectiveness when compared with standard primary care models.
Expected Functional Medicine Outcomes
- Functional Medicine Model & Quality of Life (Cleveland Clinic)
A retrospective cohort study at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine found that patients experienced greater improvements in health-related quality of life compared with those receiving care at a family health center.
Association of the Functional Medicine Model of Care With Patient-Reported Health-Related Quality of Life (JAMA Network Open, 2019)
- Shared Medical Appointments & Cost
A BMJ Open study reported that functional medicine–based shared medical appointments improved outcomes more than individual visits and were less costly to deliver.
Patient Outcomes and Costs Associated With Functional Medicine–Based Shared Medical Appointments (BMJ Open, 2021)
- Inflammatory Arthritis & Patient-Reported Outcomes
In patients with inflammatory arthritis, a functional medicine approach was associated with improvements in global physical and mental health scores over 12 weeks.
Impact of Functional Medicine on Patient-Reported Outcomes in Inflammatory Arthritis (PLOS ONE, 2020)
- Personalized Lifestyle Medicine & Chronic Disease
Reviews of personalized lifestyle medicine, which underpins much of Functional Medicine, describe how targeted nutrition, lifestyle changes, and systems-based assessment can help address complex chronic health problems.
Personalized Lifestyle Medicine: Relevance for Nutrition and Lifestyle Recommendations (Nutrients, 2013)
Personalized Lifestyle Intervention and Functional Health (Advances in Therapy, 2022)
Difference Between Functional Medicine & Regenerative Medicine
These approaches to health and wellness are complementary rather than competing models. In fact, functional medicine focuses on systems biology, lifestyle, and root-cause assessment, while Regenerative Medicine emphasizes structural repair and tissue regeneration (for example, using cells, exosomes, biologics, and advanced light-based therapies). Emerging work suggests these approaches may work synergistically.
- Synergy of Regenerative Methods & Functional Approaches
A recent paper discusses how exosome therapy, Functional Medicine, and multi-wavelength laser therapy can be combined as part of a comprehensive longevity and regenerative strategy.
Longevity Concept by Regenerative Medicine Methods Synergy: Exosome Therapy, Functional Medicine, and Advanced Multi-Wavelengths Laser Therapy (2025)
- Personalized and Lifestyle-Based Care in Modern Medicine
Reviews on personalized and lifestyle medicine highlight the value of tailoring interventions to the individual’s biology, environment, and behavior—core principles shared by both Functional and Regenerative Medicine models.
Personalized Lifestyle Medicine: Relevance for Nutrition and Lifestyle Recommendations (Nutrients, 2013)
Integrating Medicine With Lifestyle for Personalized and Holistic Care (Journal of Public Health and Emergency, 2023)
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McBride Wellness Center
127 N. Garden Ave, Clearwater, FL 33755
Phone: (727) 454-5526
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