The Functional Medicine model is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness.  Here at Mission Functional Medicine, we are a blend of traditional primary care, Integrative, and Functional medicine.  We follow the standard of care and work together to see if by addressing the root cause we can negate the need for medication and/or resolve symptoms.  The foundation of Functional Medicine is using food as a first line therapy.  We also look at a person’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors to develop personalized treatment plans. We believe at Mission Functional Medicine that addressing the root cause, spending time with our patients, and partnering with our patients to make THEIR health care plan can lead to improved outcomes. 

In functional medicine we search for the root cause, rather than focusing only on the symptoms.  We also look at the body and the person as a whole to recognize how everything impacts everything else.  One condition may have many causes and one cause may result in many different conditions.  Several people could have irritable bowel syndrome.  One of them may have food sensitivities driving their symptoms, another could have small intestinal bacterial (SIBO) or fungal overgrowth, another could have zinc deficiency and low stomach acid. The key is to look for clues to find the root cause.   At Mission Functional Medicine, we work to find out what is driving symptoms or the disease that is being presented and see if it possible to reset or re-balance the system to improve function and decrease symptoms.  While our success with our patients has grown, it must be noted that functional medicine is not a cure-all.  There is no guarantee, and some things cannot be fixed.  There is no magic pill or supplement. At Mission Functional Medicine we form a partnership with our patients to figure out what went wrong and to explore what is possible.

Mission Functional Medicine blends traditional primary care, integrative, and functional medicine.  We follow the standard of care.  We present both traditional and integrative options with the risks and benefits for both. Many times, we can effectively treat with diet, lifestyle and supplements but there are times when more is needed. The best tool will be used for the job at hand.

Functional and Integrative Medicine commonly utilize supplements in their care plans. Studies have shown that supplements can have both positive and negative impacts on health. Kava Kava for example has been shown to cause liver damage. Candibactin AR and Candibactin BR two supplements by Metagenics have been shown to be effective in treating Rifaximin resistant small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. I use supplements, but I do so carefully. I treat supplements and pharmaceuticals with respect and use the minimum necessary to get the job done. Like most functional medicine providers, we do routinely prescribe supplements. What is unique about our practice is that we provide a way for our patients to access supplements we recommend without profiting on the supplements. 90% of our recommended supplements are available on Fullscript. All patients that are in our Functional Medicine program have access to a program call Fullscript. Fullscript is our online dispensary. We have taken out our “commission” and patients get 35% discount off Fullscript’s retail price.