Functional Medicine

In this episode, Caroline is joined by Dr. Stephen Elliott, a family physician who has spent the last 18 years practicing functional medicine and recently joined the Fiat team! Dr. Elliott shares what led him to question the way chronic and complex conditions were being treated conventionally and how his search for root causes drew him into functional medicine. They also discuss the interconnectedness of the body, the limitations of treating individual systems in isolation, and why functional medicine can be especially helpful for patients who have struggled to find answers through conventional care.

Dr. Elliott will be seeing patients remotely and is certified in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Indiana. Visit our website or give us a call (629-252-7880) for more information!

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment.

Key Takeaways:

Looking at the Whole Person - Dr. Elliott explains how the body's systems are interconnected and why chronic, complex conditions can require looking beyond a single specialty or organ system. He shares how functional medicine seeks to investigate potential root causes rather than simply managing symptoms. The Gut-Brain Connection - Gut health can affect cognitive and emotional health through the microbiome, inflammation, and the body's ability to digest and absorb nutrients. Certain bacteria can support health, while overgrowth of other bacteria may contribute to immune and neurocognitive disruption, making a thorough understanding of gut health an important part of addressing complex conditions. A Collaborative Approach to Care - Functional medicine requires more than testing and treatment recommendations—it asks patients and families to actively participate in the process. Dr. Elliott and Caroline discuss the importance of being willing to make changes in nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle while recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to complex health concerns.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:25 Dr. Elliott's Journey to Medicine

04:49 Discovering Functional Medicine

8:26 Authentic Functional Medicine

12:59 Finding His Ideal Patients

16:38 Pediatric Special Needs