FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE?

Functional Medicine is a root-cause, integrative approach to healthcare that focuses on why symptoms are happening, not just what diagnosis you’ve been given.

In conventional Western medicine, the focus is often to name a condition and manage it—usually with medications to control symptoms. That can be helpful in many situations, but it doesn’t always answer the deeper questions:

Why did this happen in the first place?

Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at health through patterns, energy flow, and imbalance across the whole body. Functional Medicine shares that same “whole-person” mindset—but it uses modern tools like advanced bloodwork and specialty testing to uncover hidden imbalances that routine labs often miss.

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Functional medicine’s deeper look

Functional Medicine helps us take a deeper look at things like:

  • Nutrient deficiencies

  • Hormone and metabolic imbalances

  • Gut dysfunction and inflammation

  • Hidden stressors (like infections or toxins)

  • Lifestyle factors affecting healing (sleep, stress, diet, and more)

At Dr. Patten’s Center for Holistic Wellness, Functional Medicine fits beautifully into our larger healing philosophy because it helps us connect the dots, uncover the true drivers behind symptoms, and create a plan that is personalized, strategic, and effective.

Testing isn’t always necessary, but when we need to go deeper, Functional Medicine gives us the clarity to stop guessing and start healing with confidence.

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Functional & Genomics-Based Assessment

When deeper insight is needed, we may incorporate advanced testing such as:

  • Functional blood chemistry analysis

  • Genetic testing and interpretation

  • Comprehensive stool testing

  • Food and Environment Allergy testing

  • Organic Acids Testing (OAT)

  • Environmental Exposure Assessments (mold, heavy metals, occupational toxins)

  • Micronutrient and nutrient status evaluation

  • Blood and Urinary Hormone testing

  • LabCorp | Quest Diagnostics

  • Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory
    GI-MAP, Food/Immune Panels, Fatty Acids

  • Genova Diagnostics
    GI Effects, NutrEval, Ion Profile, Genova Adrenocortex Stress Profile

  • Mosaic Diagnosis
    TotalTox | EnviroTox | MycoTOX

  • RealTime Laboratories
    Mold-related testing, when indicated

TRUSTED LAB PARTNERS

Some of the labs Dr. Patten commonly orders through include:

  • Precision Analytics
    DUTCH Hormone Testing

  • Cyrex Laboratories - Array testing, as clinically appropriate

  • Vibrant America
    Gut Zoomer, Wheat Zoomer, Micronutrient Testing, the Total Tox Burden

  • Nutrigenomics | MyHappyGenes | Fagron Genetics | DNA Life | 3X4 Genetics | DNA 360
    Genetic insights & interpretation

Exact testing is always individualized—we only order what is clinically relevant and truly useful for your case. Lab fees are not included in your consult and typically range from $250-$600 depending on the test.

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NUTRITION: WHERE HEALING BECOMES DAILY PRACTICE

Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools we have in Functional and Chinese Medicine—because food isn’t just fuel. It’s information for your hormones, gut, immune system, brain, and metabolism.

At Dr. Patten’s Center for Holistic Wellness, we use nutrition as a strategic, personalized part of your healing plan, not a restrictive “diet” or a one-size-fits-all set of rules.

Depending on your symptoms, lab results, and goals, nutrition support may include:

  • Balancing blood sugar and energy (especially for fatigue, cravings, difficulty sleeping and or mood swings)

  • Gut-friendly food choices to reduce bloating and inflammation

  • Optimizing protein, minerals, and micronutrients for energy and hormone health

  • Creating realistic meal structure that fits your lifestyle and schedule

  • Identifying food triggers or sensitivities (if clinically relevant)

  • Supporting detoxification and healthier estrogen metabolism

Most importantly, my approach is gentle and sustainable.

We focus on progress, not perfection—so you feel supported, not overwhelmed.
Small changes add up, and when your body is consistently nourished, healing becomes much easier.

Get Started today.

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