It’s no secret that our healthcare system is abysmal at handling chronic conditions. We rank near last in outcomes amongst developed nations and are particularly bad at managing chronic health conditions.
If you are suffering from a chronic health condition, it’s very difficult to find help from conventional medicine. That’s where functional medicine comes in.
Functional medicine is a form of healthcare designed specifically to address chronic diseases. It’s a holistic and collaborative approach that addresses the root cause of difficult, chronic disease. In conventional healthcare, patients with chronic illnesses are often told their condition is “incurable.” Functional medicine is demonstrating that chronic diseases are indeed manageable and in many cases reversible.
If you are suffering from digestive issues, inflammation, heart disease, fertility disorders, diabetes, anxiety, depression, or an autoimmune condition, a functional medicine doctor may be exactly what you are looking for to start improving your quality of life.
Functional & Integrative Medicine in Portland
With the National University of Natural Medicine in town, Portland is one of the Meccas of natural medicine globally. Portland has a wide variety of functional medicine services. Our team has hand-selected this list of available medicine centers that provide innovative, alternative approaches for chronic conditions.
Oregon is also one of the move progressive states for insurance reimbursements for holistic services. It’s at all uncommon for functional medicine, or naturopathic doctors to be covered by health insurance.
What does it mean to be a Functional Medicine Doctor?
Functional medicine doctors have gone through traditional medical school training to address the root causes of chronic disease. Many functional medicine doctors also have a background in naturopathic medicine, eastern medicine, herbalism, mindfulness, and therapeutic practices to enhance their practice and treatment approach further.
Functional medicine doctors use a variety of techniques, tests, and specialized treatments to treat the root cause of chronic illness. In functional medicine, each patient is seen as a unique case with individualized causes for their chronic condition.
A functional medicine doctor takes a whole-body approach to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. According to the Mayo Clinic, functional medicine doctors are experts in many wellness practices that offer a range of approaches to healing a patient. Many clinics provide team-based care where a functional medicine doctor works with nutritionists and therapists to focus on different aspects of your treatment plan. Whether it is a one-person clinic or multi-person team, a functional medicine doctor will create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to you. Functional medicine doctors use the most innovative and evidence-based approaches for your healing journey. They will run a series of innovative tests that may include testing of nutrients within your body, inflammation markers, blood tests, hormone levels, biome tests, or DNA tests to find the best treatment for your healing journey. Treatment is centered around the idea of routine and consistency.
Healing takes time and patience when you start from the root of the disease. However, you can rest assured you are in the best hands for your chronic illness. Your functional medicine doctor will track your progress and alter your healing journey when necessary. They will be with you during your entire journey to ensure you are in a better place mentally, physically, and spiritually than where you started.
Conventional Doctors vs. Functional Medicine Doctors
According to the California Center for Functional Medicine, “the differences between conventional and functional medical care can be compared to managing a garden.” Conventional medicine is like simply spraying your garden with weed killer every time you grow weeds. It never looks at the underlying issue. Treating symptoms with no treatments for the root cause can lead to even more detrimental effects down the road.
However, if you nourish the soil and tend to the garden often, the garden will have far fewer issues. This is the key difference between conventional and functional medicine. Functional medicine addresses the health of the entire garden.
Another critical difference between conventional doctors and functional medicine doctors is the level of relationship between you and your doctor. Functional medicine doctors develop deep relationships with their patients and act as a teacher and guide.
Your Unique Relationship with your Functional Medicine Doctor
Functional medicine doctors consider all aspects of your well-being and want to see your body in its optimal wellness state. Your relationship with your functional medicine doctor may feel more like a collaborative and compassionate partnership rather than your past experiences with conventional medical doctors. This is because functional medicine doctors treat each patient with a personalized treatment approach.
If you do not have a chronic disease, you are still encouraged to visit a functional medicine doctor to receive a full picture of your wellness profile and begin preventative care. You will be happy you did!
The Best Functional Medicine Doctors in the greater Portland area
Several functional medicine doctors in the Portland area provide a wide range of services to meet your unique healthcare needs. Below is a guide to the top functional medicine doctors and clinics in Portland, Oregon.
1. Clinic of Diagnostics – Dr. Shamim Matin
Dr. Shamim Matin founded the Clinic of Diagnostics to assist patients with an interdisciplinary approach. Matin is a functional medicine doctor certified in nutrition, chiropractic, and strength training and conditioning. The clinic believes in a comprehensive approach to care within lab testing and treatment. The Clinic of Diagnostics is set on not stopping until they solve your chronic illness.
Their services include:
- Comprehensive Consultation
- Lab Testing
- Interdisciplinary Approach
- Diagnostic Treatments
Insurances accepted: Dr. Shamim Matin is not compatible with any insurance.
Website: https://www.clinicofdiagnostics.com/
Address: 1030 NW 12th Ave Unit 335, Portland, OR 97209
2. Oregon Natural Medicine: Natural Medicine and Hormone Therapy
Oregon Natural Medicine strives to help you find the answers to your chronic disease. The team is made up of licensed functional medical doctors, including Dr. John Reynolds, ND, and Dr. Karina Jarvela, ND. They prioritize listening to your complete medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms while specializing in natural medicine and hormones. They offer various innovative specialty services for your unique needs treating your illness with nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, pharmaceuticals, and personalized treatments.
Their services include:
- Naturopathic Medicine
- Conventional and Specialty Lab Tests
- Salivary Hormone Testing
- Adrenal Hormone Testing
- Gastrointestinal Panel
- Food Allergy/Sensitivity Testing
- Neurotransmitter Testing
- Hormone Therapy
- Women’s Health
- Men’s Health
- Laser Toe Nail Treatment
- Low Dose Naltrexone Treatment
Insurances accepted: Oregon Natural Medicine is not in-network with any insurance plan. They are happy to provide you with the necessary codes so that you may self-submit.
Website: https://www.oregonnaturalmedicine.com/
Address: 14511 SE Hawthorne Blvd Ste 208, Portland, OR 97215
3. Aleksandra Giedwoyn, MD
Functional medicine doctor Aleksandra Giedwoyn, MD, is a solo micro practice. She provides all the services offered in her one-room office. She takes care of a small number of patients at a time to ensure that she provides the most compassionate and focused care. She intends to offer “slow” medicine, meaning a fully comprehensive approach to your mind, body, and spirit. She believes in the power of routine and natural supplementation to heal the root cause of your illness over a pill to solve a symptom. She practices a full scope of primary care in the office while also offering televisions. She is also trained in several gynecologic procedures and basic skin procedures.
Their services include:
- Telehealth and In-Person Appointments
- Well-child exams
- School Physicals
- Annual Physicals (biometric screen)
- Annual GYN exams
- IUD placement/removals
- Initial 60 min new patient visit
- Allergies
- Anxiety
- Cardiovascular disease
- Depression
- Diabetes
- FatigueSleep disorder
- Food intolerances/allergies thyroid disorders
- HeadachesWeight loss
- Hormone imbalanceGynecologic procedures
- HyperlipidemiaBasic skin procedures (biopsies & suturing)
- Migraines
- Nutritional deficiencies
- PMDD (Premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
- SIBO (Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth)
Insurances accepted: Aleksandra Giedwoyn, MD, is in most insurance networks.
Website: https://aleksandragmd.com/
Address: 736 SE 60th Ave, Portland, OR 97215
4. Laurie Terzo, DAOM, LAc, FABORM – Natural Fertility and Hormone Balance
Laurie Terzo, DAOM, LAc, FABORM founded her practice to empower women and support natural fertility. She has over 20 years of experience in Chinese and functional medicine. She uses the most innovative techniques in holistic health to help women take control of their hormones and fertility. If you are experiencing menstrual cycle irregularities, poor sleep, mood fluctuations, stress, weight gain, or low libido, Laurie Terzo’s practice may be perfect for you!
Their services include:
- Fertility Support
- Lab Work
- Nutrition
- Herbal Medicine
- Supplements
- Lifestyle Changes
- Acupuncture
- Hormone Balance
- Fertility Online Group Program
- Virtual Sessions
Insurances Accepted: Laurie Terzo does not accept insurance at this time.
Website: https://www.drlaurieterzo.com/
Address: Portland, OR 97209
5. One Space Healthcare – Jessica M. Evans, ND
One Space Healthcare was founded by functional medicine doctor Jessica M. Evans, ND. They strive to treat their patients as a whole, not just the disease. The clinic offers a variety of innovative treatments for your unique needs. One Space Healthcare wants to make sure you feel heard and seen in your current state and strives to deliver the most compassionate, supportive, and evidence-based care possible.
Their services include:
- Natural Treatments for Acute and Chronic Disease
- Diet and Nutrient Therapy
- Prescription and Herbal Medicine
- Diet and Nutrient Therapy
- Primary Care for Entire Family
- A Respectful and Collaborative Healthcare Experience
- Prescription of Pharmaceutical Medications
Insurances accepted: One Space Healthcare’s providers are in-network with most insurance companies. However, it is advised that you check with your plan to be informed about any limitations to your coverage.
Website: https://www.onespacehealthcare.com/
Address: 15962 Boones Ferry Rd Ste 204 Lake Oswego, OR 97035
6. Karen Cureton ND, LAc
Dr. Karen Cureton, ND, LAc is a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, neuroplasticity healing expert. She is passionate about healing the nervous system in conjunction with your chronic illness. She can address chronic infections, environmental toxicity, genetic issues, allergies, food sensitivities, autoimmunity, nutritional deficiencies, and much more. She is all about compassionate care and helping you heal your mind, body, and spirit to ensure your life changes for the better.
Services included:
- Neuroplasticity Techniques
- Eutaptics/FasterEFT
- Limbic System Retraining
- Nervous System Retraining
- Naturopathy
- Acupuncture
Insurances accepted: Karen Cureton, ND, LAc does not accept insurance.
Website: https://drkarencureton.com
Address: 443 NE Knott Street. Portland, OR 97212
7. 8 Hearts Health & Wellness
8 Hearts Health and Wellness were started by Dr. Jason Wysocki, ND, MS and is made up of a team of functional medicine doctors who are dedicated to optimizing your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. They offer a wide range of services to get to the root cause of your illness. The “8” in their name is meant to symbolize infinity. The team at 8 Hearts Health and Wellness embodies the infinite depths of healing that they make possible for their patients through devotion, dedication, compassionate care, and connection.
Services included:
- Naturopathic Medicine
- Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
- Structural Integration
- SIBO Breath Testing
- Heidelberg pH Testing
- Clinic Medicinary
- IV Therapy
- Homeopathy
Insurances accepted: 8 Hearts Health and Wellness provides insurance billing for select providers.
Website: http://8hearts.org/
Address: 5331 S Macadam Ave Suite 380, Portland, OR 97239
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/integrative-medicine-health/sections/orc-20464566
