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FAQ

 

1) What is functional medicine, in plain English?

Functional Medicine is a science-based, personalised approach that looks beyond symptoms to understand why health problems develop. Rather than focusing on a diagnosis alone, it considers how nutrition, lifestyle, environment, and other biological factors interact to influence health, helping create a practical plan that supports healing, resilience, and long-term wellbeing.

2) What does “health creation” mean?

Health creation means building your body’s biological reserve and healing capacity. It can begin at any stage—before illness, during treatment, or throughout recovery. A stronger biological foundation helps your body regulate, repair, and recover more effectively, often improving resilience and supporting better long-term outcomes. Rather than simply treating problems, health creation focuses on optimising your body’s natural ability to heal through personalised nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted support.

3) Do I need a diagnosis to work with you?

No. You may have an existing diagnosis, ongoing symptoms, laboratory findings, or simply want to optimise your health. Functional Medicine focuses on understanding the factors that may be influencing your health and developing a personalised, evidence-informed plan to support your goals.

4) Is this a replacement for my GP, specialist, or dentist?

No. Conventional medicine plays a vital role in emergency care, diagnosis, and many medical treatments that are essential and often life-saving. Functional medicine and nutrition focus on health creation by supporting the body’s biology through personalised nutrition, lifestyle, and evidence-informed interventions to enhance healing capacity, resilience, and long-term health. The two approaches are complementary.

5) How is your approach different from “standard health advice”?

General advice is useful, but it’s not always enough. PN4W focuses on your patterns over time and your individual context—what has shifted, what’s been compensating, and what’s keeping recovery interrupted. The goal is a plan that’s realistic, tailored, and trackable.

6) How do the consultations work?

Consultations are available live or by email, depending on the service you choose.

* Discovery Consultation – An initial assessment with personalised recommendations.
* Comprehensive Consultation – A detailed review for more complex or long-standing health concerns.
* Follow-up Consultation – Review your progress and update your health plan.
* Targeted Consultation – Focused guidance for a specific health concern, laboratory result, or question.

If you’re unsure which consultation is right for you, I’ll be happy to help you choose.

7) How soon might I notice changes?

It depends on the pattern, how long it’s been present, and what’s driving it. Some people feel shifts quickly (sleep, energy, digestion), while other goals take longer. I aim for early “wins” where possible, then build sustainable progress step-by-step.

8) Will you recommend supplements and botanicals?

Sometimes—if they are appropriate, safe, and likely to help. Supplements are never a “magic bullet”. They’re a supportive tool alongside nutrition, lifestyle, and foundational physiology (sleep, rhythm, movement, stress regulation). I prioritise minimal effective inputs and clear tracking.

9) Do I need functional lab testing?

Not always. Testing can be helpful when it changes decisions, adds clarity, or helps track progress. If testing is considered, I’ll explain what it can and cannot tell us, the costs and practicalities, and whether it’s worth doing in your case. Testing is always optional.

10) Is functional medicine evidence-based?

PN4W uses evidence-informed practice: established physiology, nutrition science, and clinical reasoning, combined with your individual context and response tracking. Where high-quality research exists, we use it. Where evidence is mixed or still emerging, we prioritise safety, clear consent, and measurable outcomes—using a “test–measure–adjust” approach rather than assumptions. This work complements, and does not replace, medical or dental care

11) Do you work with dental health and the oral–systemic connection?

Yes, where relevant. Oral health and systemic health influence each other through inflammation, immune signalling, microbiome and barrier function, blood sugar regulation, nutrient status, and stress physiology. PN4W can support pre-dental readiness and recovery alongside your dentist’s care, especially when healing, gum health, or inflammation patterns are a concern.

12) Who is this not suitable for?

PN4W is not an emergency service and doesn’t replace medical care. If you have red-flag symptoms (severe chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, suicidal thoughts, or rapidly worsening symptoms), seek urgent help. If you have complex medical conditions or are under specialist care, we can often still work together, but I will prioritise safety and coordination.

13) Do you offer online and in-clinic consultations?

Yes. Consultations are available online and in Central London (by appointment). Most clients find online works very well, and in-clinic is available where it adds value.

14) How do I book if I don’t see an online calendar?

Use the contact form. Choose the phase you’re interested in (or “Not sure”), share a short message, and I’ll reply with next steps and appointment options. Bookings are confirmed via invoice/payment link.

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