TREATMENTS

Start on the Path to Whole-Body Wellness with Functional Medicine

Are you afraid of turning into your parents? We mean health-wise. What if we told you that there’s a field of medicine dedicated to preventing chronic disease, and preventing that disease from progressing – even to the point where medication is no longer needed?

Functional medicine is that field. It’s a science-based, data-driven field of medicine that seeks to treat the whole person, rather than one symptom or one system. It seeks to find and treat the root cause or causes of a condition. Because there can be many causes of a condition, and there can be many conditions resulting from the same cause.

For example, the condition of depression can be caused by a chronic illness, hormonal imbalance, life event, and more. And if you look at obesity as a cause rather than a condition, obesity can cause diabetes, high blood pressure, and other illness.

Here at Cima Health, functional medicine may be the best place for you to start on your path to whole-body wellness. Keep reading to learn more about functional medicine and how it works hand-in-hand with the other treatment modalities we offer in our effort to provide you with restorative, lifelong solutions.

What Is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine takes a holistic approach to your health and seeks to find the answers to why you are ill. We seek to get to the root cause(s) of your problem, as well as identify triggers, and identify unhealthy patterns.

Before we order any tests or suggest any treatments or lifestyle changes, we’ll sit down with you and begin a comprehensive intake process. We’ll look over the new patient forms you filled out and ask you some questions to get more details regarding:

Your symptoms – when they started, if they’re constant or exacerbated by certain foods or events, etc. A form doesn’t always tell the whole story.
Your lifestyle – typical meals, activity level, work life, stress level, and more.
Your family history – this would include physical and mental health conditions as well as your family environment.
Your current environment – where you live and work. This would include asking about possible exposure to toxins and allergens.

We’ll listen carefully to your answers and you’ll know you’ve been heard.

What Is a Functional Medicine Doctor?

A functional medical doctor does not replace your traditional medical doctor. Your MD will treat your emergencies, broken bones, infections, diseases, and major illnesses. Specialized medical doctors will perform outpatient procedures and surgeries. Your functional medicine doctor will focus on preventing illness and reducing the risk of a chronic illness progressing, by taking care of your health. We help you learn about lifestyle changes, improving your health, vitality, and energy. You become your own doctor in that you become aware of the very things that may be affecting your health, and take measures to treat your symptoms and prevent health decline.

Dr. Cima is our functional medicine provider. He works closely with our team of providers to ensure that everyone you see knows your history, treatment plan, and goals. No one will ask you why you are here today, or ask you to start from the beginning. If you need to see a chiropractor or a physical therapist, they will know all about you before they meet you.

What Functional Medicine at Cima Health Includes

Functional medicine at Cima Health focuses on 4 main areas to help you get started on the path to whole body wellness. These areas include:

Blood Chemistry Analysis
Natural Medicine
Good Nutrition
Fat Loss / Weight Loss

Blood Chemistry Analysis

Your journey to better health begins with finding the root cause of your pain, chronic condition, or sudden physical distress. At Cima Health in Palm Beach Gardens, that means we start with a thorough blood chemistry analysis. The blood panel includes:

A metabolic panel, including 52 separate blood tests
A urinalysis, including 11 separate tests
A hormone profile, including 10 separate tests

Many doctors will start with some basic blood tests, but we believe in a holistic approach, and seeing the big picture from the beginning. An expert reading of the results of all these tests will allow us to determine what is truly causing your symptoms, and develop an integrative plan of care.

Natural Medicine

Natural medicine is an alternative medicine that revolves around lifestyle counseling, lifestyle changes, diet and nutrition, and more. It is a critical part of functional medicine here at Cima Health. Natural medicine can also include herbal remedies and nutritional supplements, based on your specific needs and goals.

Good Nutrition

Good nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated. Encouraging you to improve your nutrition and choose healthy, nutrient-rich foods as the basis of your diet is a cornerstone of functional medicine. We provide tailored diets for our clinical patients – including meal plans for diabetics, patients with thyroid disorders, and patients with digestive problems. We can also help you find healthy alternatives to your current unhealthy diet.

A functional medicine nutritionist offers nutrition coaching to keep you motivated to eat a healthy, balanced diet. You’ll get tips on meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, and more. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel once you cut down on foods that cause inflammation and digestive issues. You’ll feel more energized as well.

Fat Reduction/Weight Loss

Eating a healthy diet, including fish, chicken, and the rainbow of fruits and vegetables goes hand in hand with fat reduction and weight loss. Depending on your body frame and your physical fitness program, when you start to lose fat, you may not actually lose weight. This is because you may be replacing it with muscle.

We will tailor an exercise and fitness program for you based on where you are in life and where you are in your fitness. From stretching programs to exercise programs to working with a personal trainer, we can help you achieve your fitness goals.

Conditions Functional Medicine Treats

Functional medicine can treat a variety of chronic health conditions. By eating the right foods and maintaining a healthy weight, you can help reduce symptoms and the need for medication for the following conditions:

Type 2 diabetes
High cholesterol
High triglycerides
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Low thyroid function
Fatigue
Gall bladder conditions
Digestive health disorders (ulcers, gastritis, reflux)
Colitis / IBS
Crohns disease
Diverticulitis
Hormone imbalance
Autoimmune disorders
Food allergies

Functional medicine can also help you avoid surgery by reducing the problem causing a need for surgery.

Benefits of Functional Medicine

The benefits of functional medicine are many, including:

Patient-centered Care

Your providers get to know you as a person – what your health issues are, what your lifestyle is, what triggers your condition(s), and more. By getting to know you, we can best tailor a plan of care targeted to your needs and goals.

Multiple-disciplinary Treatment

At Cima Health, you will almost certainly see more than one treatment provider. We understand that by working together, we can best help you restore your health. Depending on what brings you here, you may see a functional medicine doctor first, then a chiropractor, then a physical therapist and massage therapist, and then move on to physical fitness to maintain your progress.

Focus on Natural Medicine and Care

Unlike typical healthcare providers, a functional medicine doctor will not prescribe you medications to treat your condition. Instead, they will focus on lifestyle changes such as eating better, losing weight, exercising, natural supplements, getting enough sleep, and more. The goal is to provide you with restorative, lifelong solutions to help you achieve (and maintain) whole- body wellness.

Read What Some of Our Patients Have to Say

Huge fan of Dr Natalie! I went to her a couple times throughout my pregnancy & she helped me with back pain & to sleep so much better all the way to the end. Now taking my son to her for wellness! She is so good with babies & she even made us comfortable when I needed to feed my son in the middle of our appointment. Great experience every time. Cortney C.

I went to Dr. Natalie when I was pregnant because I was having pain in my pelvis and she helped me manage it very well. Also, we uncovered another issue with my hip alignment and linked that to the jaw pain I had for more than 5 years. I cannot wait to go again to start treating my jaw pain with Dr. Natalie! Jen

I can't recommend Dr. Natalie enough!! First started going to her to try to induce labor (delivered at 41+5), and always felt better mentally and physically after our appointments. Now 2 weeks pp she not only adjusted me and my baby (which wow did I need!) but she took time out of her day to patiently sit with us to help me latch and feed my son for the first time! Coached me through doing it once we got home and gave me the encouragement and support to have the fortitude to make it through the night. Now we are breastfeeding like pros and I have Dr. Natalie to thank for saving this special relationship for us ❤️❤️❤️ Monica R.

“My daughter, Avery got her first ear infection when she was 4 months old. By the time she was 1, she had over 15 ear infections! Many of them were double ear infections!

Dr Natalie is so amazing with my two kiddos! She adjusted my baby girl at 5 days old, and then she adjusted my 3-year-old son when he was showing early signs of ear infection and helped his body drain it out better. She is so amazing what a godsend 😊 Kait R.

I've been seeing Dr Natalie DeJesse for half my pregnancy and I wish I knew sooner to go to her. All the staff is very friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is pregnant/ not pregnant. I definitely feel better after seeing her. You’re the best Natalie 😊 Heather V.

Dr Natalie is an amazing doctor. My pregnancy is giving me a lot of back problems and Dr Natalie was able to help me with a very thorough and personable approach. She actually takes time to listen to you and then provides an excellent chiropractic service. I will definitely come back to see her many more times before my delivery. Heidi R.

It was pure good fortune that I found this agency when I needed physical therapy after a knee replacement. Dr. Cristine Drake leads the team of Austin and Kim, all seasoned, caring professionals. It's one on one therapy, which I believe is vital to recovery. No cookie-cutter therapy here. They bring in different modalities to help in your recovery, my favorite being laser therapy. Your program is developed with your complete recovery in mind. You work hard, and everyone shares in your progress and victories. They care about your emotional well-being, as well as your physical recovery. When I had my second knee surgery, there was no question I would return. I'm doing well and look forward to my PT. I can feel the progress and know I'll be returning to this wonderful, healing place and people. Ask Austin about Pilates or Kim about training after recovery. Dr. Christine will tell you more about cupping therapy and how dry needling can help you. I can't wait to try it all. Call Renee, who makes sure the office runs smoothly, and make an appointment. You'll be taking a big step towards your health and wellness. Nancy M.

I have been working with Dr. Brandon Parker for roughly 8 weeks now and I couldn’t be happier. Not just does my body feel better and stronger overall we have worked a lot on mobility and range of motion (particularly in my hips) with each section I’m learning more about areas that seem to never get any exercise and learn how to strengthen those area over time whether it be at home or at the facility. Very, very pleased with Dr Parker and Cima Health as an organization. They also have an extremely friendly staff that’s willing to help and work with you!! Mr. Dietz

I have been a patient of Dr. Natalie DeJesse for a few years now! I came to see her because I was suffering from so much TMJ pain and headaches, as well as muscle spasms all over my head and neck. She also helped me with the tinnitus I had developed as a result of my TMJ problems. Dr. DeJesse and her wonderful massage therapists helped me get rid of the pain on my neck and head, and relaxed my sore muscles. I had to undergo a total replacement surgery of my left TMJ and she gave me wonderful support, before and after, during the process of my surgery, she is amazing and a very caring doctor. I fully recommend her and the excellent staff at Cima Health Monica G.

I have been coming to Dr. Cima and his team for almost a year now. Their expertise is superior and their customer service is what makes you feel part of their family and not just a patient. They are a one-stop shop for everything. I have my Botox done by Dr. Erin Shaw who is the office’s physician. I started with adjustments and routine maintenance with Dr. Natalie and Dr. Sparks who are amazing to having cosmetic touch-ups and now work with their onsite personal trainer / conditioning coach doing weight lifting. Very happy and highly recommend their services. Cody D.

Book Appointment Today

Are you ready to take the first step on the path to whole-body wellness? Book your appointment at Cima Health today.