Is functional medicine legit?

(And other questions you may be wondering)

What makes functional medicine different?

  • Functional medicine is an individualized, root-cause, holistic approach to healthcare.

    If you haven’t received the adequate care or treatment you sought from a traditional doctor, you may find the results you’re looking for from a functional medicine practitioner. That’s because we consider all factors of your health — diet, genetics, hormonal changes, lifestyle components, and other influences on the mind, body, and soul — that can contribute to your symptoms or disease. In other words, we look at the whole you, not just one part.

  • Functional medicine interprets your lab tests differently.

    If you’ve ever felt unwell, had lab work done, and been told your results were within “normal ranges,” you aren’t alone. That’s because labs from conventional doctors are based on averages, not actual health. In other words, if the general population is overweight, not exercising, and eating the standard American diet, that’s what your labs are measured against. But we don’t want normal — we want optimal! That’s why functional medicine practitioners use “optimal ranges” to identify exactly where you are trending toward dysfunction and to help guide you back to health.

  • Functional medicine is legit!

    It’s natural to be skeptical of a new concept, but functional medicine is far from new. Since the beginning of time, people have been using natural, holistic practices to promote healing and wellness. Today, functional medicine pairs these time-tested traditions with modern science to create a proactive, restorative, and integrative approach that actually works. Functional medicine is the best way to truly feel your best — not just in the short term, but for the entire rest of your life.

My approach

  • Compassion Icon

    Compassion

    My #1 goal is for you to feel better. I will listen to your struggles, affirm your experience, and walk alongside you on the path to natural healing.

  • Integrity Icon

    Integrity

    Honesty and transparency are my core values. I will never lie to you, sugar-coat your situation, or sell you on something you don’t actually need.

  • Trust Icon

    Trust

    You know your body best. I will trust your lived experience; you can trust I’ll provide the right recommendations for your unique situation.

Is Wildflower Functional Wellness right for you?

Sometimes a practitioner and a client just aren’t a great fit. To figure out if I’m the right practitioner for you, please review these things my happiest clients have in common.

Common issues I can help with

  • Insomnia or sleep issues

  • Brain fog

  • Food insensitivities

  • Acne or skin issues

  • Inflammation or joint pain

  • Autoimmune issues

  • Stress, anxiety, or depression

  • Adrenal fatigue

  • Blood sugar imbalance

  • Insulin resistance

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Leaky gut or digestion issues

Often, clients seek me out because they are frustrated with the standard medical approach to their health issues. They may have been to many healthcare providers and heard nothing is wrong with their labs, leaving their symptoms untouched with no relief care. As a result, they are no longer interested in going the traditional medical route.

My clients are relieved to discover — sometimes to the point of tears — that there is objective scientific testing that can get to the bottom of their problems. Even if their insurance will not cover the cost of these tests, my clients feel thankful to finally get some answers.

Why I don’t promise “quick fixes”

People who want a quick fix get frustrated with me. Why? Because there are no quick fixes! I don’t like guessing, but I will recommend tests to determine what is going on with your health. Many of my clients have already been through the trial-and-error cycle, have realized that’s not working, and want to get to the bottom of their issues, however long it takes.

Clients who really enjoy working with me also love investing in their wellness. They are proactive and intentional in seeking optimum health. They appreciate using alternative, drug-free options. They look forward to learning tips that can make their lifestyles healthier. These folks are active, enjoying life to the fullest.

I truly understand how much capacity goes into researching and picking a practitioner. It’s a big deal that deserves serious consideration. So if you are still not sure if I’m a good fit for you, schedule a Meet & Greet Consult to ask questions and get to know me. I would love to hear from you!

Malisa Price, functional wellness practitioner

Functional Health & Wellness Care FAQs

Have questions about my services? Find the answers here!

Lab Tests & Supplements

  • Lab work is “not one size fits all.” I offer a variety of functional labs that offer valuable, science-based insight into your wellness to aid your natural treatment plan. I have access to hundreds of state-of-the-art functional labs, including:

    • Stress and Hormones Panel

    • Micronutrients Test

    • Comprehensive Stool Analysis

    • Omega Index

    • Chronic Inflammation

    • Food Sensitivities Test

    • Advanced and Basic Blood Panels

    • Mycotoxin Tests

    • Heavy Metals

    • Neurotransmitter Testing

    • Gluten and Celiac Testing

    • Methylation Testing

    All lab work is customizable based on your needs, which we will discuss during your intake process.

  • Most routine lab work offers a general look at what’s going on; although helpful, it lacks specificity in pinpointing exactly where your system is off. Functional labs go a step further to identify areas that are not optimal.

    Because everyone has their own unique biochemistry, genetics, and circumstances, functional medicine practitioners order more detailed, in-depth labs to get a better look. Even with routine bloodwork, we evaluate the results differently by using a narrower “optimal range.” This allows us to catch certain markers earlier and correct imbalances before they evolve into something bigger.

    Simply put, my functional labs and analysis will give you a more holistic view of your health, allowing us to create the best plan to bring balance back to your body.

  • For blood chemistry labs, your blood draws and lab samples will be done through Labcorp blood draw sites. Please use this link to ensure you have a Labcorp blood draw site near you.

    Some specialty labs, such as the Vibrant Wellness Celiac Genetics Panel, are done through Any Labs Now.

  • Technically, you can. Your primary care physician (PCP) has access to all of these tests, and you are always welcome to request testing from them.

    However, keep in mind that healthcare providers recommend and order testing based on whether they deem it “medically necessary.” If they do not believe it to be medically necessary, they likely will not run the testing or be able to bill it through insurance.

    Fortunately, these days, anyone can purchase lab testing out of pocket through direct-to-consumer lab testing businesses, which is what I use in my practice. (Testing is not available in NY and New Jersey due to legal restrictions.)

  • Most lab companies drop-ship kits within 1–2 days of the order being placed. If you are doing bloodwork through DHA Labs, they will email you a requisition form that you will take with you to the Labcorp.

  • It typically takes 2–3 weeks to get your results once the specimens have been received by the laboratory.

  • Once your results have been received, I will interpret them from a functional perspective and provide you with a personalized roadmap to achieve and sustain your goals. You will receive an email with a link to schedule your follow-up consultation, where we will go over these things in detail. You can usually expect this session to last around 1–2 hours, depending on a few factors.

  • I make retesting recommendations on a case-by-case basis. As a general rule of thumb, I recommend lab testing at least twice per year for general health monitoring, and every 2-3 months for program evaluation.

  • Part of your holistic treatment plan will involve taking supplements to support your health goals. Although supplements are not the most important part of your treatment, they play a significant role in helping you balance your system. I’ll help you determine the right supplements for you; I can even get you 10% off if you work with me.

  • I am an approved practitioner through two supplement dispensaries I highly recommend:

Process & Protocol

  • You will receive customized lab testing with a personalized interpretation and program to guide you to your health goals and beyond. I prefer to work with clients long-term, but I do offer individual session options as well. Each service is tailored to the individual client. Start with a Meet & Greet Consult to see which option is best for you.

  • The process varies slightly depending on whether you choose a single service or ongoing support. In general, here’s what you can expect:

    1. Once you pay for and schedule for your Meet & Greet Consult, I will contact you by phone at the appointed time. This is a great chance for us to get to know each other, for you to ask questions, and for me to listen and see if I'm able to help.

    2. If we decide to work together (on either a one-time or ongoing basis), I'll send you a link to my electronic health record (EHR) system, Practice Better, where you’ll fill out your intake forms.

    3. Once I receive your intake forms, I'll email a link for you to schedule a consultation, where we will go over your forms and come up with a wellness plan on what labs to order, etc.

    4. While we are waiting on labs to be drop-shipped to you, we will start working on your diet, sleep hygiene, exercise plan, stress reduction, and nervous system work. Everything will be easily accessible through Practice Better, and you will have email communication options with me along the way.

    5. When your lab results come in, I will review and write up a wellness plan with your results and my findings. I'll email you a link to schedule a session, where we'll discuss the best protocol to include pharmaceutical-grade supplements.

    6. If you have purchased ongoing support, you will get two coaching sessions a month for the agreed-upon time in your contract. You will have your patient portal and access to meal plans, nutrition, and my professional dispensary, where you will get 10% off each supplement purchase. (My ongoing support package comes with discounts on labs as well.)

  • My favorite question! Every person’s results will vary, but common outcomes my clients experience include:

    • Better energy, sleep, and mood

    • Improved digestion and immunity

    • Less headaches, migraines, and joint pain

    • Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression

    • Improvement in allergies, chronic sinusitis, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and other skin issues

    • Balanced hormones

    • Fewer food reactivity, acid reflux, GERD, gas, bloating, IBS, constipation, and other issues

    • Relief from fibromyalgia, arthritis, chronic injuries, and other chronic pain

    • Support with select autoimmune disorders, high-functioning autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, etc.

    • A renewed sense of confidence, empowerment, and overall wellbeing!

  • Every person is different, and the body heals at its own pace. How quickly the body regains resiliency and balance — which it wants to do and has the innate intelligence to do — depends on many factors, such as adhering to the program or how complex the health issues are. In many cases, small changes can be felt over a month or so; for some, the changes can be immediate, providing much relief. For those with more chronic issues, it can take one to three years.

  • That depends on whether you choose a single service or ongoing support. Clients typically work with me from 1–3 months. At that time, if they have faithfully followed my protocol, they will have seen a significant improvement and go on to continue self-treating.

    Some clients who have more going on, and/or want continued guidance, can keep working with me. Clients are usually retested every three to six months to ensure progress and determine whether supplements should be modified. However long it takes, I am committed to helping you see the results you desire!

  • You can get ongoing support through coaching and clinical consulting. I offer various session packages, programs, and individual sessions for continued support in your health journey.

  • I can see you from anywhere in the world! My practice is 100% virtual for your convenience. All consults, appointments, and follow-ups will be conducted either through Skype or phone. Most lab kits (other than blood labs) can be drop-shipped to your location.

  • I am not a medical physician and do not provide medical advice. My role is to support your health challenges holistically while guiding you to restorative health. If you require specialized medical assistance, I would suggest you seek the advice of a physician alongside your work with me.

  • The way I work is fundamentally different from many other practitioners. It has been my experience that when clients see multiple practitioners, they get half the results in twice the time. I therefore do not work with clients who are working with another functional health practitioner.

Pricing & Payment

  • It depends on which service you choose. I offer both individual sessions and packages for ongoing support. Hourly rates range from $200 to $400 per hour. During your initial consultation, we can determine which panel and service is right for your unique needs.

  • I understand that investing in your wellness is expensive, but it’s so worthwhile. Ending the cycle of trial and error can have tremendous positive impacts that you can also pass on to your children and grandchildren. I ask that the entire cost of your program be paid before labs are ordered; however, you may inquire about payment plans.

  • Wildflower Functional Wellness, LLC, does not contract with any insurance carriers. Although I do not accept insurance as a direct payment for services, my office will gladly provide you with a receipt. Depending on your type of insurance, you may be able to claim reimbursement, and/or a tax deduction.

  • Yes! If you are a client of Wildflower Functional Wellness or use this referral link, you will get 10% off all your supplements on every order. By ordering through Fullscript, you are purchasing professional-grade and quality-controlled products. Your prescriptions and recommendations will be automatically added to your profile when you have an appointment, making it easy to find and order.

  • Yes, I do offer CareCredit financing. Please inquire for more details.

So, is functional medicine legit?

You bet it is. Let me prove it to you!