Functional medicine is a personalised approach to health care that focuses on treating the underlying cause of illnesses and chronic diseases, rather than just addressing their symptoms. This is a patient-centred approach to healing that seeks to understand the underlying imbalances or dysfunctions that contribute to a person’s health problems, such as nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or genetic predispositions.
Functional or integrative doctors are medical practitioners that have secondary training in some functional medicine techniques.
A naturopathic functional medicine practitioner will look at the landscape of your entire health and how these all link together as part of the whole. This is what we do best here at Shift.
Functional medicine is different to conventional medicine and we have a special interest in it at the Shift Clinic. Functional medicine Brisbane practitioners often use advanced diagnostic testing with patients to gather information about a patient’s health, including blood tests, stool tests, and genetic testing. This information is used to create an individualised treatment plan that addresses the specific imbalances or dysfunctions identified in the patient. It works well for complex and chronic health conditions where you need to find answers to why you're unwell.
Ready to book? Book online here.
Types of functional medicine treatment we offer at our Brisbane clinic
Functional medicine treatment uses an evidence-based approach that varies depending on the individual patient’s health needs and concerns. However, here are some common types of treatments:
Herbal and nutritional supplements: Your functional medicine practitioner may recommend specific herbs and nutritional supplements to support the body’s natural healing process by repleting nutrient deficiencies, supporting detoxification, circulation, immunity and hormonal balance, reducing inflammation and improving overall health.
Nutritional therapy: This involves using food and supplements to address specific health goals, replete nutrient deficiencies and support overall health. It may involve dietary analysis to identify where changes can be made and dietary changes which may include recommendations for specific foods or food groups to add or avoid, timing of meals and portion sizes.
Lifestyle changes: This includes exercise, stress management, sleep hygiene, reduction of screen time, managing your emotions and other lifestyle changes that can improve vitality.
Mind-body therapies: These include techniques like meditation, yoga, and cognitive-behavioural therapy to reduce stress and improve mental health. Our health team includes modalities such as hypnotherapy, holographic kinetics, kinesiology and acupuncture to achieve mind-body balance.
It’s important to note that integrative medicine and clinical nutrition treatments are often used in combination to address multiple underlying factors contributing to a patient’s health concerns.
Functional medicine testing to help find the route cause of your health issues
Functional medicine testing is one of the areas where we can look at where a health condition originates and the root causes of what is really going on.
Genetic methylation testing and MTHFR
Methylation testing is cheap and easy to do. We look at your MTHFR genes to see if there are any issues with how you metabolise B12 and folate. We can also look to homocysteine and other markers to see if you are methylating correctly.
Microbiome and gut health tests
Complete microbiome mapping and functional digestive tests show us exactly what is going on at the gut level and guides us towards the right path to treatment. Most of our complex and chronic clients will do this test as gut health conditions are so critical to overall health.
Food intolerance testing
IgG, IgE and IgA food allergy testing can be helpful when patients are highly reactive to certain foods. We can also order testing to look at gluten issues.
Skin allergy testing
This is normally ordered through your GP or immunologist - a RAST skin prick test can show us what you are allergic to.
DUTCH Hormone testing
We use a lot of blood hormone testing for our clients at Shift and also DUTCH urinary hormones when the picture is more complex. This allows us to target hormonal treatment.
SIBO testing
For stubborn gut issues SIBO can be the cause, so we can order you a breath test to see if you have this condition.
Adrenal fatigue testing
Adrenal fatigue can lead to low energy - we can test this through the blood, saliva or urine.
Thyroid testing
Most thyroid testing is rudimentary and does not give us the full picture. We can order comprehensive thyroid panels that include reverse T3 and the nutrients involved in thyroid health too. For more on thyroid listen to this episode of The Shift Podcast.
Organic acids testing
Organic acid testing looks at metabolites in the urine that indicate deficiency and issues in the body. We sometimes order these for tricky and complex clients to get an in depth overview of their energy production and total health.
Testosterone testing
We can look at the breakdown of testosterone and other hormones in a DUTCH hormone test or blood panel.
Pyrrole testing
Mauve factor, or pyrolles are linked to issues like mental health and acne.
Toxicity screening
Environmental toxins are major risk factors for may issues and this test can help us determine levels and if detoxification is required.
What conditions can we help treat with functional medicine?
Functional medicine is a special interest area of health and can treat many chronic diseases, including but not limited to:
Autoimmune disease
Gut health disorders (such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease)
Hormonal imbalances (such as thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue, and PCOS)
Chronic diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Food intolerance management and food allergies
Cardiovascular disease
Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Mood disorders (such as anxiety and depression)
Neurological disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis)
Skin conditions (such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne)
Chronic pain
Insomnia and sleep disorders
Chronic infections (such as Lyme disease and chronic viral infections)
Environmental toxicity
Our particular functional medicine specialities are:
Autoimmune disorders
Chronic fatigue
Intolerance management for allergies and food intolerances
Gut health
Low energy
Low mood
Women’s health: menopause and perimenopause, PCOS, endometriosis, reproductive issues including fertility
Our functional medicine treatment process
Our naturopathic functional medicine clinic looks at the landscape of your whole health and we are very thorough in our process. At your first appointment we take a in depth health history and look at every symptom and where it fits into your disease picture. your healthcare journey with us begins by first giving your a diagnosis and looking at diet and lifestyle factors that can immediately help. We will discuss possible testing and give you a thorough understanding of what is happening and why.
Ready to book? Book online here.
What to expect from your first functional medicine session at our Brisbane clinic
The first step to booking a functional medicine Brisbane consultation is to contact our clinic. We’re open six days a week and have an advanced functional medicine team member available each day.
An initial appointment (our Discovery and Diagnosis session) with a Shift naturopath is $260 and is 90 minutes long. In this appointment, you’ll gain some incredible insights into your current state of health, which key areas you need to work on and what you need to do to begin shifting towards better preventive health. Our wellness clinic is patient-centred and takes a holistic approach to health care. We will focus on the cause of your health problem or the health issues you want to focus on.
After your Discovery and Diagnosis session, you’ll get an initial prescription from your health practitioner which will show you what you need to take and what dietary changes you need to make right now. We have an onsite dispensary and health food shop so that you can take home what you need straightaway.
Call us on 07 3367 0337 and our wellness clinic client care team will ask you a couple of questions and guide you with your booking.
We recommend you arrive at our Brisbane clinic at least 10 minutes before your appointment time to get yourself ready and avoid rushing. If you have a telehealth appointment then make sure you are in a private space where you won’t be disturbed.
We have three fantastic naturopathic functional medicine practitioners at Shift Brisbane – Vanessa, Bronte and Katherine. If cases are very complex – they will be regularly workshopped by all three naturopaths. We are very thorough!
What our clients say...
Ready to book? Book online here.
Our expert team of functional medicine practitioners in Brisbane
Naturopathy is at the heart of our functional medicine Brisbane clinic. We have two amazing integrative medicine practitioners in our Milton clinic that work collaboratively together to achieve amazing results for our clients. Brisbane naturopath, host of The Shift and author Katherine Maslen is our founder, principal naturopath and business owner – she is one of the most renowned naturopaths in Brisbane – and she works alongside Vanessa Cobern and Bronte Hanmett. Our naturopaths have a minimum qualification level of a four-year Bachelor’s degree and a wealth of experience in helping people with complex complaints, so you’ll be well taken care of. Combined, our naturopathic care team have over 35 years of experience!
Founder
Naturopath
Naturopath
Ready to book? Book online here.
Functional medicine FAQs.
Functional medicine Brisbane treatment plans may include a combination of lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications, exercise, and stress reduction techniques, as well as targeted nutritional supplements, herbs, or medications. The goal is to restore optimal health and wellness by addressing the cause of illness and promoting the body’s natural healing abilities.
Yes – the terms are interchangeable. They describe the process of looking at health conditions using a holistic approach that recognises the underlying causes of illnesses.
Naturopathy is a form of functional medicine and one of the most effective (if you don’t need conventional medications managed). We work alongside GPs and specialists to co-mange clients who are on medications.
Unfortunately, it is not covered by either medicare or health funds at this stage.
You can book online or call us on 07 3367 0337. Telehealth appointments are also available if you can’t make it into our Brisbane practice.
Book your appointment online here.
Keep your Feet Warm for Optimum Fertility
Benefits Of Acupuncture To Manage Anxiety
Japanese Acupuncture vs Chinese Acupuncture – 7 Key Differences
Acupuncture For Ankle Injuries
Can Acupuncture Help Treat Bells Palsy?
Acupuncture Treatment For Hayfever
