What is Functional Medicine?
Our functional medicine model of care takes a patient-centered approach to chronic disease management. It seeks to answer the question, “Why are you ill?” — so you can receive personalized, effective care recommendations.
Our functional medicine providers listen to you, gather your medical history and connect to your context of living. We use this information to identify underlying reasons behind your condition — including predisposing factors like genetics, and things that keep us feeling poorly, including poor nutrition, stress, exposure to toxins and harmful substances, allergens and impaired gut health.
Based on this evaluation, we assess your readiness and ability to make changes while customizing a healthy living plan. Your plan will address modifiable aspects of your life, including nutrition, exercise and sleep. It will also focus on your mental and emotional health.
Why Choose the Center for Functional Medicine?
Patient-centered care:
We get to know you — not just your diagnosis. When appropriate, we take a comprehensive medical timeline history, including a nutrition and lifestyle assessment, to get a full picture of your health and build a holistic treatment plan. Functional medicine is built upon self-care and anchored by the concept that using food as medicine is a core first-step intervention. We combine optimal nutrition with lifestyle and behavioral interventions to help you take charge of your health.
Skilled, collaborative providers:
The healthcare providers in Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Wellness and Preventive Medicine are here to support you on your journey. Your care team may include: physicians, physician associates, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, health coaches and behavioral health therapists. You’ll also work closely with our integrative and lifestyle medicine colleagues. Meet our team.
Convenient care:
We offer in-person and virtual appointments when appropriate in both one-on-one and shared settings.
Innovation and research:
In 2014, Cleveland Clinic was the first academic medical center in the country to establish a dedicated functional medicine program. We’ve partnered with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) to bring this innovative approach to chronic disease management to our patients. Our robust research and training program is internationally recognized for scientific exploration of holistic, lifestyle, functional and behavioral interventions. Learn more about our clinical research.
Conditions We Treat With Functional Medicine
Anyone facing a chronic condition may benefit from a functional medicine perspective. We collaborate with — and don’t replace — conventional medicine clinicians. Some of the most common conditions we treat include:
- Adrenal disorders
- Alzheimer's disease and dementia
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cancer prevention
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Digestive disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Environmental exposures
- Food sensitivity
- Men's health
- Metabolic syndrome and prediabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- Women's health
What to Expect
Before your first visit, you may be asked to complete a series of questionnaires electronically and/or in person that help us understand who you are. The information we gather before, during and after the first visit contributes to our understanding of your current condition. Importantly, we may inquire about:
- Lifestyle: Your diet, activity level, work life, hobbies and stressors
- Genetics and predispositions: Family history of physical and mental conditions
- Environment: Early life events, trauma and exposure to toxins and allergens
What if you’re not quite ready for change? If so, we’ll help identify simple first steps to take on your journey toward rebalancing your health. During your first appointment, you will have a one-on-one visit with a clinician (physician, physician associate or nurse practitioner). It may be appropriate to refer you to one of our shared medical appointment group sessions (with other patients), sometimes with a registered dietitian and/or health coach. You may need to have blood work (labs) drawn on the first day. If you arrive in the morning, you may choose to have fasting labs drawn if you desire. The goals of the FIRST THINGS FIRST visit are:
- Reviewing your health history
- Performing a physical exam
- Identifying your health goals
- Assessing readiness for change
- Ordering appropriate, indicated laboratory and/or diagnostic tests
- Determining first steps of lifestyle modification, including changes in food plan as needed
- Discussing follow-up care
Taking the Next Step
We’ll help you make a real change in your health — from the inside out. We offer in-person and virtual options for one-on-one and shared medical appointments. Out-of-state patients have limitations when it comes to follow-up virtual visits based on licensure laws for each state. Patients who have virtual follow-ups must be seen once per year in person to remain under our care.
To speak with a member of our team, please call 216.445.6900.
