Alternative Medicine Practitioner in The Woodlands, TX

Conventional medicine often focuses on managing symptoms with medication. Functional medicine investigates why those symptoms exist in the first place, examining interconnected systems like gut health, immune function, hormonal balance, and environmental exposures to build a treatment plan that addresses root causes.

Functional medicine is particularly effective for complex, multi-system conditions including chronic fatigue, autoimmune disorders, thyroid dysfunction, Lyme disease, EBV, mold illness, POTS, digestive issues, and conditions that haven't responded well to conventional approaches.

Timeline depends on the complexity of your condition and how long symptoms have been present. Some patients notice improvement within weeks, while chronic conditions may require several months of consistent protocol adherence. We set measurable milestones and adjust based on lab retesting.

Yes. By identifying imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic patterns before they become diagnosable disease, functional medicine serves as a powerful preventive approach. Our customized lab assessments can catch early warning signs that standard panels often miss.

Initial consultations are priced separately from follow-up visits and lab work. We provide transparent pricing before your first appointment. Many patients find that a thorough root-cause investigation saves money long-term by eliminating unnecessary medications and specialist visits that never identify the real problem.

Coverage varies by plan. Some insurance plans cover portions of the consultation and certain lab tests. We recommend contacting our office to verify your specific benefits. The lab assessment component may have different coverage than the consultation itself.

Your first visit is a comprehensive 60 to 90 minute evaluation. We review your complete health timeline, medications, supplements, diet, sleep, stress, environmental exposures, and family history. This detailed intake guides which lab panels to order and forms the foundation of your personalized treatment protocol.

SOT creates a custom antisense oligonucleotide molecule designed to bind to a specific pathogen's genetic material, interrupting its ability to replicate. The molecule remains active in your body for 3 to 6 months, providing sustained therapeutic support.

SOT ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the specific targets and complexity. We discuss costs transparently during your consultation so there are no surprises. Insurance does not typically cover SOT.

Some patients experience Herxheimer reactions (temporary symptom flare) as pathogens are disrupted. This is generally a sign the therapy is engaging the target. We prepare you for this possibility and provide supportive care protocols.

SOT can be administered up to 3 times per year. Treatment frequency depends on lab results, clinical response, and your practitioner's assessment of pathogen load.

Yes. SOT is one of the most targeted therapies available for Lyme disease. The antisense molecule is designed specifically for the Borrelia pathogen, interrupting its replication cycle while the molecule remains active for months. Many Lyme patients who have not responded to antibiotics consider SOT as an alternative approach.

Antibiotics target broad categories of bacteria and lose effectiveness as pathogens develop resistance. SOT creates a molecule customized to a specific pathogen's genetic sequence, providing a targeted approach that works through a completely different mechanism. It is often used when conventional antibiotics have failed to resolve Lyme or EBV infections.

We require specific blood work to identify your active pathogens and confirm you are a candidate. A functional medicine evaluation and customized lab assessment help determine which infections to target and whether your body is ready for treatment.

Standard panels test a narrow range of markers with broad reference ranges. Our customized panels evaluate functional markers that reveal early imbalances, including comprehensive thyroid panels, immune markers, hormone metabolites, organic acids, and gut function markers that most conventional labs don't include.

Lab results directly inform your treatment protocol. Every recommendation, from supplements to dietary changes to advanced therapies, is grounded in your specific lab data. We retest at defined intervals to track improvement and adjust your plan.

Costs depend on which panels are ordered for your specific case. Some markers may be partially covered by insurance, while specialized functional panels are typically out-of-pocket. We discuss all costs before ordering so you can make an informed decision.

Some insurance plans cover standard markers like thyroid panels and metabolic panels. Specialized functional markers such as organic acids, mycotoxins, and advanced immune panels are often not covered. We help you understand which tests may be covered before ordering.

Thyroid dysfunction, Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus, mold illness, chronic fatigue, autoimmune conditions, and hormonal imbalances all benefit from testing beyond standard bloodwork. The right panels depend on your symptoms and clinical history.

We typically retest at 60 to 90 day intervals during active treatment to track progress and adjust protocols. Once your markers stabilize, we move to maintenance testing every 6 to 12 months. This evidence-based feedback loop ensures your functional medicine protocol evolves with your health.

Absolutely. We review outside lab work during your consultation. However, we may recommend additional panels if your previous testing did not include the functional markers needed to identify root causes. Our panels are designed to fill the gaps that standard bloodwork misses.