What Is Functional Medicine?
How Functional Medicine Works in Our Practice
Our approach begins with an in-depth consultation to understand your health history, lifestyle, and goals. Based on your individual needs, we recommend targeted testing to evaluate your Pillars of Health: Mitochondria, Stress Chemistry, Gut Health, and Toxin Clearance. From there we design a tailored plan for you that may include:
- Dietary Adjustments: Optimizing nutrition to address deficiencies and support gut health.
- Supplementation: Using targeted nutrients to restore balance and enhance cellular function.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Incorporating stress management, exercise, and sleep optimization to support overall well-being.
- Therapeutic Interventions: Implementing specific treatments to address identified imbalances or dysfunctions.
Why Choose Orion Holistic Care?
We work alongside you to take control of your health by identifying and addressing the root causes of illness rather than masking symptoms. With a focus on prevention and whole-body healing, this approach supports sustainable health improvements and long-term vitality. Whether you have chronic issues or seeking to be proactive with your health, we are pleased to work with you.
Conditions Orion Holistic Care Can Help With Include:
- Digestive disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, constipation, and other gastrointestinal issues.
- Hormonal imbalances: Including thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue, testosterone and menopause-related symptoms.
- Cardiovascular and Circulatory Diseases: Blood pressure problems, palpitations, and erectile dysfunction
- Autoimmune diseases: Such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and sjogren’s syndrome.
- Chronic fatigue: Addressing energy imbalances, sleep issues, and nutrient deficiencies.
- Insulin resistance and metabolic issues: Helping manage blood sugar, weight gain, and conditions like type 2 diabetes.
- Mental health concerns: Including anxiety, depression, and mood disorders related to physical imbalances.
- Dysautonomia: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
- Men’s Health: Testosterone imbalances, low energy, belly fat, and erectile dysfunction.
A Comprehensive Approach to Health
Functional medicine is a personalized and science-based approach to health that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of illness. Unlike conventional medicine, which often targets symptoms, we aim to restore balance within the body by considering the complex interplay of genetics, environment, and lifestyle. This holistic method integrates advanced diagnostic tools and targeted therapies to optimize your health and well-being.
Understanding Functional Medicine
At the heart of functional medicine is the belief that every individual is unique. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, Orion Holistic Care evaluates the underlying factors contributing to each person’s health concerns. By examining the interactions between the digestive, immune, neurological, and endocrine systems, this approach provides a deeper understanding of how to restore health.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Testing
We employ cutting-edge diagnostic testing to gain a complete picture of your health. Some tests we utilize to uncover critical insights:
1. Stool Testing: Gut Health and Beyond
The gut plays a pivotal role in overall health, influencing everything from immunity to mental well-being. Stool testing offers a detailed look at gut function, revealing:
- Gut Permeability (Leaky Gut): Identifies whether the intestinal lining is compromised, allowing toxins and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream. Addressing gut permeability can reduce systemic inflammation and improve immune function.
- Pathogens: Detects harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that may cause digestive issues, fatigue, or chronic illness.
- Commensal Bacteria: Analyzes the balance of beneficial bacteria, which are essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, and maintaining a healthy immune system.
- Inflammatory Markers: Measures inflammation in the gut, which can indicate conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or food sensitivities.
By addressing the imbalances revealed in stool testing, we can develop targeted strategies to heal the gut and improve overall health.
2. Organic Acid Testing: A Window Into Cellular Health
Organic acid testing provides a snapshot of your body’s biochemical processes, helping us understand how well your cells are functioning. This test evaluates:
- Mitochondrial Function: Identifies markers of energy production. Impaired mitochondrial function can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and chronic conditions.
- Neurotransmitter Balance: Measures metabolites related to dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters, providing insights into mood, focus, and sleep quality.
- Vitamin and Mineral Demands: Highlights deficiencies that may compromise energy, immune response, and overall vitality.
- Cellular Protection: Assesses antioxidant status and oxidative stress, ensuring your cells are protected from damage caused by free radicals.
Organic acid testing helps us pinpoint specific areas of dysfunction, allowing for personalized interventions that restore cellular health and enhance energy levels.
3. Toxic Burden Testing: Understanding Environmental Stressors
Toxic burden testing evaluates your body’s exposure to and ability to eliminate harmful substances, including:
- Mycotoxins: Detects toxins from mold exposure that can affect immune function and neurological health.
- Environmental Toxins: Identifies exposure to pollutants, pesticides, and other chemicals that may disrupt hormone balance and metabolic function.
- Heavy Metals: Measures levels of toxic metals like mercury, lead, and arsenic, which can impair organ function and contribute to chronic illnesses.
Understanding and addressing your toxic burden can improve detoxification pathways, enhance energy levels, and support overall well-being.
4. Adrenocortical Stress Profile: Monitoring Stress Hormones
The adrenocortical stress profile is a salivary test that measures diurnal cortisol levels and DHEA, providing insights into your body’s stress response. This test can:
- Evaluate Cortisol Patterns: Identifies imbalances in cortisol production, which may affect energy, sleep, and immune function.
- Assess Adrenal Health: Detects signs of adrenal fatigue or overactivity, guiding interventions to restore balance.
- Understand Stress Impact: Reveals how chronic stress affects your body, allowing for targeted strategies to reduce its effects and improve resilience.
This test is particularly beneficial for addressing stress-related conditions, improving energy, and enhancing overall hormonal balance.
The Benefits of Functional Medicine Testing
These advanced tests offer a range of benefits that extend beyond symptom management:
- Personalized Care: Our testing uncovers the root causes of health concerns, enabling tailored treatment plans that address your unique needs.
- Early Detection: By identifying imbalances and dysfunctions before they manifest as chronic illness, we can be proactive health management and support the necessary systems.
- Holistic Insights: These tests provide a comprehensive view of your health, considering factors like digestion, detoxification, and cellular energy production.
- Improved Outcomes: With targeted interventions based on test results, patients often experience improved energy, mood, digestion, and overall vitality.
- Empowered Health Choices: Understanding your body’s specific needs allows you to make informed decisions about your health and wellness.