Integrative and functional medicine
When you visit an integrative and functional medicine provider at the Penny George ® Institute for Health and Healing, you will work with an expert who approaches your health care holistically, focusing on the mind, body and spirit.
This whole-person approach to your care and treatment considers factors such as your health history, lifestyle habits and your experience with past treatment to help determine the root cause of your health concern and identify imbalances in your body’s physiology and lifestyle that may be contributing to symptoms.
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What is integrative and functional medicine?
At the Penny George ® Institute for Health and Healing, our integrative medicine and functional medicine practices work hand in hand in their approach to your health care.
Functional medicine provides a philosophy and framework for practicing patient-centered care that includes integrative medicine. Functional medicine looks for the root cause of a condition – instead of simply treating symptoms – by obtaining a detailed understanding of genetic, biochemical and lifestyle factors.
Integrative medicine (IM) is healing-oriented care that considers the whole person, including all aspects of your lifestyle. IM emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between you and your provider and includes a range of holistic and complementary therapies that can be used in addition to conventional treatment.
At the Institute, you and your provider work together to develop a personalized plan that safely incorporates both integrative approaches and conventional treatments to help support your well‑ being.
What to expect
Your first visit to the Institute is a consultation with our integrative and functional medicine team, which will take about an hour. At this visit, you and your provider will:
- gather a detailed written health history
- complete a survey about your current state of health
- discuss your family health history
- review other factors, including your medication and supplement usage, diet, lifestyle choices, health concerns, symptoms and health goals
- discuss testing options and order appropriate tests to help determine the best next steps for you
After your initial consultation, you and your provider will work together to:
- create a care plan to address the underlying causes of any health concerns
- gain knowledge and tools to improve your well-being
- learn about options that may complement or replace medications or invasive treatments, such as surgery
- get referrals to other holistic experts and integrative services to treat your condition (examples of these services include integrative and functional nutrition, acupuncture, massage therapy, exercise physiology, integrative psychology, health coaching, resilience training, biofeedback, traditional Chinese medicine or other services)
You will have follow-up visits with your provider as needed.
What we treat
- acne
- allergies and eczema
- autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, etc.)
- fatigue
- fibromyalgia
- gastrointestinal symptoms (IBS, bloating, gas, reflux, food sensitivities)
- headaches/migraines
- hormone imbalance (PMS, PCOS, thyroid, menopause, fertility support)
- mental health concerns, including ADD/ ADHD, depression, anxiety
- nutrient deficiencies
- prediabetes and diabetes
- recurrent infections (UTI, vaginitis, sinus)
- sleep problems
- stress
- weight concerns
More about integrative and functional medicine
Integrative and functional medicine consultations are not intended to replace appointments or relationships with primary care or specialty doctors. We will partner with you and your current care providers.
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Source: Penny George Institute for Health and Healing
Reviewed by: Anne D. Murray and Laura A. Sandquist
First published: 1/3/2020
Last reviewed: 9/28/2023