When it comes to healthcare, functional medicine can feel new and different – in a good way. That’s because this approach doesn’t just treat symptoms; it looks for the root cause and the why behind each diagnosis.
The goal is long-term health through in-depth, personalized care – and the journey starts at your first appointment. This foundational appointment is an opportunity for us to get to know you, and for you to get to know us. It’s all about building a lasting partnership for your long-term health.
In this post, we’ll break down what you can expect from your first functional medicine appointment, including the creation of a customized treatment plan.
Understanding Your Goals
It takes time to gather a holistic perspective of your health. One of the major advantages of your first functional medicine appointment is the amount of time you’ll have to establish a trusting relationship with a provider who cares.
Our providers truly listen to your story (the whole thing!), and partner with you to establish priorities and achieve your health goals.
Your Comprehensive Health Review
To help you reach those goals, your first functional medicine appointment will include a comprehensive health review, during which we discuss your health history from birth to the present day, including your current lifestyle.
To dig into what you need, we don’t just look at a single lab result. We examine your:
- Full medical history
- Nutrition and gut health
- Lifestyle factors
- Results from advanced testing
All of this combined helps us create a clear picture of your health as we begin to identify areas to optimize for the future. During your first visit, you’ll get a feel for our overall approach – analytical, thoughtful, and patient-specific.
Identifying Root Causes
Also during your first visit, our functional medicine practitioners will look for patterns and connections in your health history. These allow us to create a more effective treatment plan that leads to meaningful, lasting change, rather than a “quick fix” solution that covers up underlying root causes.
After Your Appointment: What Comes Next?
Your provider creates a treatment plan uniquely tailored to your needs. This might include lab work or further testing, lifestyle recommendations, supplements, or a referral within our Practical Health team, which includes dietitians, health coaches, and exercise physiologists.
To further foster the partnership between provider and patient, we offer functional medicine memberships that facilitate ongoing care. The membership works well for anyone seeking high-quality support and partnership in their health journey. It’s a 6-month plan with flexible payment options. Get more information about our memberships here!
Scheduling Your First Functional Medicine Appointment
Your first appointment sets the foundation for your functional medicine journey. It’s a thorough, patient-centered experience that can lead to a long-lasting partnership.
If you’re ready to take this next step in your health journey, schedule your first appointment! If you have more questions, you can schedule a complimentary curiosity call. We’d love to hear from you!