What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease rather than just treating symptoms. It views the body as an interconnected system and emphasizes personalized care, taking into account an individual’s genetics, lifestyle, environment, and other factors.
Practitioners of functional medicine use a combination of traditional medical treatments and alternative or integrative therapies, such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, and supplements, to promote optimal health and prevent disease. The goal is to restore balance in the body’s systems, addressing underlying imbalances or dysfunctions to improve long-term health outcomes.
Practitioners of functional medicine use a combination of traditional medical treatments and alternative or integrative therapies, such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, and supplements, to promote optimal health and prevent disease. The goal is to restore balance in the body’s systems, addressing underlying imbalances or dysfunctions to improve long-term health outcomes.
What is Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis (FBCA)?
Functional blood chemistry analysis is a comprehensive approach to evaluating your blood work that goes beyond standard tests.
While traditional blood tests are primarily used to diagnose diseases, FBCA is designed to detect early signs of imbalance in the body, long before serious health conditions develop. It offers a deeper understanding of how your body is functioning and what areas may need attention to restore optimal health.
The prevailing myth about blood chemistry analysis is that it’s a diagnostic tool only used for determining the presence or absence of disease. This, however, isn’t true. When conducted from a functional perspective, blood chemistry analysis can be an incredible method for preventing the evolution of dysfunction into disease. Applied correctly, FBCA can serve as a signpost on a individual’s journey to optimal health.
While traditional blood tests are primarily used to diagnose diseases, FBCA is designed to detect early signs of imbalance in the body, long before serious health conditions develop. It offers a deeper understanding of how your body is functioning and what areas may need attention to restore optimal health.
The prevailing myth about blood chemistry analysis is that it’s a diagnostic tool only used for determining the presence or absence of disease. This, however, isn’t true. When conducted from a functional perspective, blood chemistry analysis can be an incredible method for preventing the evolution of dysfunction into disease. Applied correctly, FBCA can serve as a signpost on a individual’s journey to optimal health.
How is Functional Blood Analysis Different from Traditional Blood Tests?
Unlike traditional blood tests that compare your results to a wide reference range aimed at diagnosing diseases, functional analysis looks at narrower "optimal" ranges that indicate ideal health. This allows practitioners to identify and address subtle imbalances that might not yet qualify as disease but could still impact your energy, mood, weight, digestion, and overall vitality.
What Makes the Functional Approach to Blood Analysis Different?
When you approach blood chemistry from the functional perspective, you gain a tool to identify and treat dysfunction before it manifests as a disease. Rather than wait for iron deficiency to become anemia or insulin insensitivity to become diabetes, Functional Medicine practitioners intervene early to avoid the negative health outcomes.
Person Focused; Not Disease Focused
In contrast to allopathic medicine’s focus on disease, the functional approach to blood chemistry is a person-focused one.
An allopathic practitioner looks to categorize a patient’s symptoms under a specific disease to deploy a specific treatment plan tailored to that disease. This approach begins with disease and works back to the patient. Functional medicine does the opposite; it starts with the person and their concerns, then works towards treating those concerns.
By building a holistic, comprehensive picture of their clients’ health, functional medicine practitioners provide treatment plans tailored to the individual. Ideally, this helps to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place. Going even further, it helps to prevent states of dysfunction — that is, those states of imperfect health that fall through the cracks of disease diagnosis.
An allopathic practitioner looks to categorize a patient’s symptoms under a specific disease to deploy a specific treatment plan tailored to that disease. This approach begins with disease and works back to the patient. Functional medicine does the opposite; it starts with the person and their concerns, then works towards treating those concerns.
By building a holistic, comprehensive picture of their clients’ health, functional medicine practitioners provide treatment plans tailored to the individual. Ideally, this helps to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place. Going even further, it helps to prevent states of dysfunction — that is, those states of imperfect health that fall through the cracks of disease diagnosis.
How Do Practitioners Use FBCA to Help Manage Dysfunction?
With the right tools and knowledge, practitioners use FBCA and functional blood chemistry ranges to recommend supplements, medication and/or lifestyle changes. If an individual's fasting blood glucose is too high, for instance, the practitioner might recommend diet and exercise. On a follow-up test, the practitioner might observe that the individual’s fasting blood glucose is still high; since their recommended treatment didn’t have an impact, they might invest in further testing or modify their recommendations.
Importantly, the practitioner would regularly test the individual’s blood to observe how their glucose levels evolve over time. FBCA is all about tracking trends. By taking multiple blood biomarker profiles, practitioners can see whether and how their recommendations are making an impact.
FBCA also serves as a means of targeting future testing. Rather than recommend a battery of tests that run the gamut from mildly to majorly invasive, cheap to expensive, vague to precise, functional medicine practitioners can use a blood test — a non-invasive, cheap and informative test. If more testing is needed, the practitioner will have ruled out those tests that don’t seem likely to yield any pertinent results.
Importantly, the practitioner would regularly test the individual’s blood to observe how their glucose levels evolve over time. FBCA is all about tracking trends. By taking multiple blood biomarker profiles, practitioners can see whether and how their recommendations are making an impact.
FBCA also serves as a means of targeting future testing. Rather than recommend a battery of tests that run the gamut from mildly to majorly invasive, cheap to expensive, vague to precise, functional medicine practitioners can use a blood test — a non-invasive, cheap and informative test. If more testing is needed, the practitioner will have ruled out those tests that don’t seem likely to yield any pertinent results.
What are the Benefits of FBCA?
At VitalPath Functional Medicine, we offer FBCA as a cornerstone of our holistic approach to healthcare. This advanced testing method provides a detailed picture of your health, helping us identify and address issues long before they become serious problems. A well-implemented FBCA offering brings a host of benefits that truly sets it apart from traditional approaches.
1. Improved Health Outcomes
FBCA focuses on enhancing overall health, not just preventing disease. By understanding the intricate balance of your body’s systems, we create personalized treatment plans that target the root causes of your health concerns, leading to better long-term outcomes.
2. Reduced Healthcare Costs
With FBCA, we can often identify underlying health issues without the need for multiple, expensive tests. This allows us to assess your health more efficiently, saving you both time and money.
3. Fewer Diagnostic Tests
When additional testing is required, FBCA helps narrow down potential causes by providing in-depth insights into your body’s functions. This precision reduces the need for a broad range of tests, streamlining your path to treatment.
4. Personalized Care and Clear Path Forward
With FBCA, we don’t just understand your symptoms—we identify a clear path toward optimal health and wellness. Your practitioner will work with you to develop a tailored plan that addresses your unique health concerns and helps you feel your best.
1. Improved Health Outcomes
FBCA focuses on enhancing overall health, not just preventing disease. By understanding the intricate balance of your body’s systems, we create personalized treatment plans that target the root causes of your health concerns, leading to better long-term outcomes.
2. Reduced Healthcare Costs
With FBCA, we can often identify underlying health issues without the need for multiple, expensive tests. This allows us to assess your health more efficiently, saving you both time and money.
3. Fewer Diagnostic Tests
When additional testing is required, FBCA helps narrow down potential causes by providing in-depth insights into your body’s functions. This precision reduces the need for a broad range of tests, streamlining your path to treatment.
4. Personalized Care and Clear Path Forward
With FBCA, we don’t just understand your symptoms—we identify a clear path toward optimal health and wellness. Your practitioner will work with you to develop a tailored plan that addresses your unique health concerns and helps you feel your best.
What are Some of the Conditions and Imbalances FBCA can Detect?
Through functional blood chemistry analysis, we can assess trends toward dysfunction and disease before they become clinically apparent. This proactive approach helps you avoid risk factors, adapt your lifestyle, or seek additional treatment when necessary. FBCA can reveal potential issues such as:
- Blood sugar dysregulation
- Cardiovascular disease risks
- Thyroid imbalances
- Adrenal irregularities
- Acid-base imbalances
- Gallbladder and liver dysfunction
- Kidney dysfunction
- Allergies and heavy metals toxicity
- Gastrointestinal dysfunction
- Immune imbalances
- Oxidative stress
- Red blood cell dysfunction and anemia
- Inflammation
- Sex hormone irregularities
By identifying these trends early, FBCA allows for more precise interventions and empowers you to make lifestyle changes that can prevent the onset of chronic illness.
- Blood sugar dysregulation
- Cardiovascular disease risks
- Thyroid imbalances
- Adrenal irregularities
- Acid-base imbalances
- Gallbladder and liver dysfunction
- Kidney dysfunction
- Allergies and heavy metals toxicity
- Gastrointestinal dysfunction
- Immune imbalances
- Oxidative stress
- Red blood cell dysfunction and anemia
- Inflammation
- Sex hormone irregularities
By identifying these trends early, FBCA allows for more precise interventions and empowers you to make lifestyle changes that can prevent the onset of chronic illness.
How is functional medicine different from conventional medicine?
Functional medicine is a patient-centered approach that aims to uncover and address the root causes of health concerns rather than just treating symptoms. Unlike conventional medicine, which often focuses on disease management, functional medicine considers genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors to provide a holistic view of health and wellness.
What is Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis (FBCA)?
FBCA is a specialized analysis that evaluates your blood markers through a functional medicine lens, using optimal rather than standard ranges. This approach helps identify imbalances and potential health risks even if you’re currently asymptomatic, offering a proactive way to support your health.
How can VitalPath help me understand lab results from other providers?
If you have lab reports from other providers that you didn’t fully understand, VitalPath can help. We review these results, interpret them using optimal functional ranges, and provide insights into how they relate to your overall health. This comprehensive analysis helps you understand your health better and make informed decisions.
What is a Functional Health Reports, and how can it benefit me?
A Functional Health Report at VitalPath provides an in-depth analysis of your body’s systems, identifying the root causes of health issues. This report uses data from Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis to give you a clear picture of your wellness, forming the foundation of your personalized Health Improvement Plan.
What is included in a Health Improvement Plan?
Your Health Improvement Plan includes personalized recommendations on supplements, lifestyle changes, and guidance based on your unique health needs. This roadmap is designed to help you reach optimal wellness and addresses any dysfunctions identified in your Functional Health Report.
What should I expect during my initial consultation?
During your initial consultation, we’ll review your health history and lifestyle factors in detail. This in-depth assessment allows us to gain a comprehensive understanding of your health and start creating a personalized plan tailored to your wellness goals.
Do you accept insurance?
VitalPath operates as a direct-pay practice, which allows us to focus on personalized care without the restrictions of insurance.
How much does it cost?
Discovery Call (FREE):
This is a free 15 minute discovery call with Dr. Burris and is an opportunity for you to discuss your personal health goals and learn more about Functional Medicine and Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis.
Initial Consultation ($350):
***Please do not book your Initial Consultation if you have not yet had your Discovery Call.
This is a 60 minute Initial Consultation with Dr. Burris. During your Initial Consultation, Dr. Burris will listen to your story, review your intake forms and provide you with recommendations to include lab testing suggestions. You will also receive an overview of the Functional Health Report and Health Improvement Plan.
Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis (FBCA) Consultation ($250):
This is a 60-minute consultation with Dr. Burris to discuss your Functional Health Report and Health Improvement Plan.
Lab Testing Fees:
Lab testing fees are billed separately and are in addition to consultation fees. You will be provided with suggesting testing panels and an estimate following your Consultation. You are required to pay all lab testing fees prior to testing.
This is a free 15 minute discovery call with Dr. Burris and is an opportunity for you to discuss your personal health goals and learn more about Functional Medicine and Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis.
Initial Consultation ($350):
***Please do not book your Initial Consultation if you have not yet had your Discovery Call.
This is a 60 minute Initial Consultation with Dr. Burris. During your Initial Consultation, Dr. Burris will listen to your story, review your intake forms and provide you with recommendations to include lab testing suggestions. You will also receive an overview of the Functional Health Report and Health Improvement Plan.
Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis (FBCA) Consultation ($250):
This is a 60-minute consultation with Dr. Burris to discuss your Functional Health Report and Health Improvement Plan.
Lab Testing Fees:
Lab testing fees are billed separately and are in addition to consultation fees. You will be provided with suggesting testing panels and an estimate following your Consultation. You are required to pay all lab testing fees prior to testing.
Do you have payment plans?
Yes. Please inquire during your Discovery Call.
Where will I have my lab tests performed?
VitalPath has partnered with several labs and you will be provided with options and can select a location that is most convenient for you?
Where will I go for my consultations?
The Discovery Call my be conducted by phone or online/video call. The Initial Consultation and FBCA Consult are performed via video/online.
How can I get started with VitalPath?
You can get started by scheduling a Free Discovery Call through our appointment portal or by contacting our office directly. We’re here to answer any additional questions and help you on your journey to optimal health.
