When you’re dealing with symptoms that just won’t go away, it can feel frustrating and exhausting. That’s where functional medicine steps in. Instead of masking symptoms, it looks for the “why” behind them, getting to the root of what’s really going on. If you’ve been struggling with digestive issues, skin flare-ups, or unexplained fatigue, working with a functional medicine specialist can open the door to answers you may not have found elsewhere.
Annette Harris DNP, FNP-BC is our Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner and she takes the time to dig deeper. Her goal is to help you feel like yourself again—whether that means calming down persistent bloating, easing eczema, or tackling long-standing gut issues.
What Makes Functional Medicine Different?
Functional medicine isn’t about quick fixes or one-size-fits-all treatments. It’s personal. This approach recognizes that every person’s body functions a little differently, so the care plan needs to reflect that. It connects the dots between things like nutrition, stress, sleep, and overall health to help restore balance.
Annette spends time listening and understanding your full health picture. The goal is to identify patterns, triggers, and underlying causes, so treatment isn’t just about feeling better for a few weeks—it’s about creating lasting change.
Gut Health: A Window Into Wellness
Your gut is a powerhouse for your overall health. When it’s off balance, everything from your mood to your skin can take a hit. If you’ve been dealing with IBS, Crohn’s disease, or constant bloating, it might be time to look deeper. Functional medicine takes gut health seriously. It’s not just about digestion—it’s about how the gut influences inflammation, immunity, and even mental health.
Annette often starts by recommending tests that uncover how your gut is functioning. From there, you’ll work together to make dietary shifts, add supplements if needed, and build habits that support your digestive system in the long run. Many clients dealing with GERD or ulcerative colitis have found relief and stability by addressing gut health from this inside-out perspective.
Clear Skin Starts Below the Surface
Skin issues like acne, rosacea, and eczema can feel frustrating, especially when creams and treatments don’t seem to work. Functional medicine flips the script by focusing on what’s happening internally. Skin is often a reflection of gut health, inflammation, or even food sensitivities.
Rather than just prescribing topical solutions, Annette works to identify triggers that may be fueling the flare-ups. This might mean adjusting your diet, calming systemic inflammation, or supporting detox pathways. The result? Clearer skin that lasts because the root cause is being addressed—not just the surface.
Hormonal Imbalances and Functional Medicine
Hormonal imbalances can show up in unexpected ways—weight fluctuations, mood swings, fatigue, or irregular cycles. These imbalances are often dismissed as normal or something to just live with, but they can greatly impact daily life. Functional medicine takes a closer look at how hormones interact with other systems in the body, aiming to restore balance naturally.
By running comprehensive tests and examining lifestyle factors, Annette helps uncover the root causes of hormonal shifts. Whether it’s related to thyroid function, adrenal health, or reproductive hormones, the goal is to bring the body back into harmony. Clients often find that by addressing hormone health, they experience more stable energy, improved sleep, and a greater sense of overall wellness.
The Power of Personalized Care
One of the biggest game-changers with functional medicine is how individualized the care feels. There’s no rushing; you’re never just handed a prescription and sent on your way. It’s about exploring options and finding what works for you. Conditions like alopecia areata or seborrheic dermatitis can take time to unravel, but having someone like Annette walk alongside you makes the journey easier.
Functional medicine practitioners consider all the little things that might seem unrelated but are puzzle pieces. Over time, clients often notice that not only do their primary symptoms improve, but so does their overall sense of well-being.
Find Lasting Relief and Balance with Help From a Functional Medicine Specialist
Living with chronic symptoms can feel isolating, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Working with a functional medicine specialist offers a fresh perspective and a compassionate path toward better health. Whether you’re dealing with digestive troubles, ongoing skin conditions, or something that hasn’t been diagnosed yet, we are here to help you connect the dots.
If you’re ready to take the next step, contact VIVA Wellness. Let’s work together to find the solutions that help you feel more at home in your body.