If you would like to make an appointment, please visit the NEW PATIENT page.

If you are interested in to have a consultation with me, I have a few pages that explain what Functional Medicine is and how it will help you. Please click on the Functional Medicine Navigation Bar at the top and select the Laboratory Testing Page. You will see the various tests I am able to order for you. Most of the patients I have seen are coming to see me for multiple ongoing unresolved health issues or unexplained infertility, and not all but I have been able to solve the complexed cases since 2005. I will be able to help with the health challenges you have been suffering from.

I offer gentle and efficient treatments for both symptoms and the root of illnesses by including immune enhancement, hormone, and structural balancing, and stress reduction. A wide range of conditions treated includes Fertility, Thyroid, Adrenal Fatigue, Gluten Sensitivity, Insulin Resistance, Gastrointestinal Issues, Detox, Allergies, Hormone Imbalances, Mood Disorders, Autoimmune Conditions, and Pain Management. In addition to my treatments, I teach patient self-care with instruction in exercise, diet, nutrition, lifestyle changes, and proper meditation & breathing technique to reach your health goals with a minimum number of office visits. This website is a hub for me as a practitioner in addition to my patients and online viewers who are interested in alternative medicine. I treat almost every health condition imaginable using thin hair-like needles, cold laser, cupping, and other modalities along with exercises, dietary, and nutritional advice. I look forward to working with you on the road to better health!

 

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What is the difference between the acupuncturist vs the acupuncturist practicing functional medicine?

Most acupuncturists listen to a patient’s health concerns based on a 1-page health questionnaire you filled out in the acupuncture clinic. They check the pulse and the tongue and start treating symptoms right away. This is what we learned at graduate school and there is nothing wrong with it. When I graduated from acupuncture school, I thought I would be able to help anybody who came to see me with acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Formulas. However, I started seeing the limitations of just practicing acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. The main reason is that patients typically come to see acupuncturists with modern illnesses like type 2 diabetes, hives from chemical and food sensitivities, various autoimmune diseases, mood disorders, and illnesses stemming from non-metal environmental toxicity. These illnesses did not exist when acupuncture was founded 2,000 years ago. People sought relief from pain due to physical labor. Things are different now. We live in a modern society in a toxic world. I call this  “toxic soup”.

This is a big reason I decided to study Functional Medicine. I am very happy to incorporate functional medicine training with acupuncture for the benefit of my patients. More and more MDs, NP, DC, and NDs are interested in incorporating functional medicine but not many acupuncturists, as far as I am aware. I am very unique in this matter and I am capable of treating patients who come to see me with complex health issues successfully within a short amount of time.

Some patients would like to get treated for 1-hour acupuncture or just to get the consultation to receive the proper Chinese Herbal Medicine formulas. That is very fine as well. I am well trained at the New England School of Acupuncture graduate school and I have been practicing since 2005.

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Our initial meeting and treatment go like this. For an acupuncture patient, you will be escorted into a clean, cozy room with soft music and dim lighting where you will be able to relax immediately. I am very aware of the fact that stimulating our 5 senses to calm the sympathetic nervous system is the very first step before I do anything. For Functional Medicine patients, we will start finding the root cause of your health issues, based on many forms and questionnaires you answered ahead of time along with your lab test result. I listen to you! I hear repeatedly “no one has ever been so interested in my health history and asked so many questions”. This is the foundation of Functional Medicine to ask the “right” questions and “why” to find the real root cause “trigger” at the very first meeting so that we are not wasting our time. After gathering the information and Q&A, I start evaluating your unique circumstances and I will treat you. Some patients are just coming for functional medicine consultation. It is up to you. After the treatment, we will discuss the treatment plan. We work together to develop the optimal treatment plan which includes supplementation, lifestyle changes, sleep hygiene, dietary choices, stress management, etc… I will provide you access to useful videos to watch, provide you the specific handouts, and articles for you to read. I will follow up with you via email to guide you n achieving your goal.

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My motto is to “keep learning”. I continually improve my diagnostic skills in Functional Medicine and brush up my technique and fine-tuning in Oriental Medicine. My patients come to me for a variety of health issues that are not always pain-related as many people think. Many patients are already on a few medications, have organs removed, have taken many tests including ultrasound, X-ray, CAT scan, PET scan, sleep study, had maximum times of cortisone shots, other procedures, and seen multiple specialists. I had one patient who had 21 surgeries and forgot to tell me the bilateral carpal tunnel surgeries until I pointed them out. Why did this patient come to see me? She was still in so much pain.

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Patients are told by their primary care doctors and other specialists that “your lab and tests came back normal”, but you feel awful. Sounds familiar? You are in the wrong department,  so to speak. I use the analogy of the fire department to western medicine. The fire department is absolutely needed for every single town in the U.S. when a fire occurs. They are rushed quickly to put out the fire.  The same theory goes for western medicine. You need health insurance to cover the cost when you get into accidents like a car crash, fall from the roof, cut a finger, etc… Their choice of tool is drugs and surgery and you need their service right away.

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How many people do you know who are suffering from chronic illnesses? They are able to get up and get to work, but their health is far from optimal. You may wake up tired, push yourself to get going in the morning by drinking a lot of coffee, are irritable, depressed, moody, and not productive during the day. You feel exhausted by 3 pm and are looking for sugar to lift your mood. You cannot think about cooking so you go to get take-out. You are physically exhausted by 9 pm but mentally wired and tired. You toss and turn all night long and wake up tired again, but you push yourself to go to the gym by 6 am. Does this sound like somebody you know?

These are the patient that is told by their primary care and the specialists that “your lab and test results came back normal”, but they feel awful. Adrenal, morning/mid-day/dinner time and bedtime cortisol, B6, Vitamin D and 12, homocysteine, ferritin, TPO, Free T3, Reverse T3, Free Testosterone, and insulin (not fasting glucose) are often tested by allopathic doctors but these are the markers that really should get tested to avoid having the chronic disease in the first place.

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Functional medicine is well suited for treating chronic illnesses. It requires a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors. It takes some time for the patients to go over their health history and the practitioner required their skill set to connects the dots to find the root cause. For example, you have a heart palpitation. The western medicine approach is to put you on medication after running the various tests only covered by your insurance. The functional medicine approach is to ask questions like “when” the palpitation started, “why” your heart is racing, “what” triggered the palpitation? It could be from any event, food intake (for example, high lection contained food, high histamine food, or high oxalate contained food), excessive exercise, lack of sleep, lack of water intake, malnutrition, excessive caffeine intake, the combination of drugs and supplements you have been taking, any GI or skin issues you are having. I will add “urinary bladder, kidney, or lung meridians relationship to heart” by oriental medicine’s five-phase viewpoint. I hope you get an idea of what I am trying to say.

Conventional vs Functional Medicine:
A patient is experiencing depression. With conventional medicine, the patient would be given anti-depressants to fix the ‘problem.’ With functional medicine, depression is seen as a symptom, and we look at the systematic factors that could be causing the problem, such as possibly a gut issue or heavy metal toxicity, and adrenal or thyroid problem. A functional medicine approach would look at not only the symptoms but “backtracks” from the symptom to see what underlying factors may be causing the depression.)

Integrative vs Functional Medicine:

Integrative medicine requires a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals led by M.D. to address subtle energy & spiritual (mind-body) aspects of health conditions. Many hospitals started having an integrative medicine clinic including Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, etc combines conventional medicine with holistic medicine.

Functional Medicine can be performed solo focusing on a one-on-one with patients to evaluate lifestyle, genetics, nutrition, diet, environmental determinants to health and well-being. It is personalized medicine that relies on system science often uses functional medicine laboratory testings. (In my clinic, I use various questionnaires first to avoid running out-of-the-pocket FM lab testing) Functional medicine is based on the premise that we look at four different areas: the underlying cause for a problem; how does that affect the body (what physiology is affected or damaged by that); what body system is affected (adrenals, thyroid, gut, brain, liver, detox pathways; and what are the symptoms. However, while conventional medicine tends to focus on fixing the symptoms, functional medicine looks at the symptoms as the “outgrowth” of the problem. Functional medicine addresses the symptoms but also works backward from them to get at the underlying causes of an issue.

Both Integrative and Functional Medicine focuses on disease prevention, patient-centered, and treating symptoms by addressing underlying problems.

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“Functional medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach, and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories, and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual. The system of medicine practiced by most physicians is oriented toward acute care, the diagnosis and treatment of trauma or illness that is of short duration and in need of urgent care, such as appendicitis or a broken leg. Unfortunately, the acute-care approach to medicine lacks the proper methodology and tools for preventing and treating complex, chronic diseases. In most cases, it does not take into account the unique genetic makeup of each individual or factors such as environmental exposures to toxins and the aspects of today’s lifestyle that have a direct influence on the rise in chronic disease in modern Western society. Physicians apply specific, prescribed treatments such as drugs or surgery that aim to treat the immediate problem or symptom.  Most physicians are not adequately trained to assess the underlying causes of complex, chronic disease and to apply strategies such as nutrition, diet, and exercise to both treat and prevent these illnesses in their patients.”

-Jill Carnahan, M.D. (my favorite FM practitioner)

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I believe we must get to the root cause of imbalance manifesting as various symptoms. We need to recognize the connections between the physical, mental and spiritual relationships. We cannot separate one from another. I see many people care more about their cars than their own health. When the engine service light comes on, the car quickly goes into the shop. Many people have too many engine service lights blinking in their bodies, but the lights are totally ignored for months or years. 

As an oriental and functional medicine practitioner, one of my goals is to continually deepen my knowledge in both medicines and improve my skillset; stay up to date with recent research which includes the food we digest, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. These are important fundamental things that are directly related to our health.  Functional medicine training has given me a new approach to treating patients as truly unique individuals and guiding them to live a more vibrant, healthy life.

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Post Graduate Education & Training Includes – Functional Medicine Study:

As an oriental medicine and functional medicine practitioner, one of my goals is to continually deepen my knowledge in both medicines, improve my skill set, and keep up to date with recent research which includes the food sensitivities and toxicity from pesticides and glyphosate, the air and water toxicity, EMF pollution, Mycotoxin exposure, and the deepest layer of modern chronic disease like Lyme Disease, EBV, and other vaccination triggered diseases. These are the most fundamental things that should be screened in the first place but are very often missed or misdiagnosed. That’s why I decided to keep training myself by setting aside time every week for studying.

(certification #1) I am the first practitioner from the state of MA to receive the certification from Hashimoto’s Institute Practitioner Training Program in 8/2016. My summer was totally devoted to studying this particular chronic illness many of my patients have. My name is listed on this Preferred Practitioner List among other functional medicine practitioners.

(certification #2)　Kresser Institute Graduate. A-CFMP Certificate Received.

Comprehensive Functional Medicine  1 Year 
Training (Practitioner Training Course at Kresser Institute) – I completed the program in 03/2018. Please Click Here for the listing of Functional Medicine Practitioners! This program was very challenging and timely demanding for over a year due to the end of the week exam for 52 weeks straight. I developed “a fear” of Friday (exam day)!

1. Functional/Ancestral Nutrition
2. Basic Supplementation
3. Lifestyle and Environment
4. Gut Health
5. HPA (Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal) Axis Dysregulation (Hormones Imbalances)
6. Functional Blood Chemistry

(certification #3)  in progress – FMU (Functional Medicine University) Certification Training Program

1. GI System
2. Immune System
3. Physical Exam Basics
4. Oxidative Stress
5. Inflammation
6. Detoxification
7. Endocrine System
8. Stress
9. Structural Integrity
10. Nutrition
11. Case Reviews

(certification #4) in progress – Metabolic Healing Certification Training Program for how to read Lab Testing

1. CBC (complete blood count)
2. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
3. Thyroid Panel
4. Autoimmune & Inflammatory-Related Markers
5. Vitamin D Metabolism
6. Mold Illness
7. B-6 Metabolism
8. CBS gene Polymorphisms
9. Thyroid, Viruses & Autoimmunity
10. Sex& Adrenal Hormones
11. Microbial Balance & G.I. Function
12. Ammonia & Urea Cycle Function
13. Biochemistry & Physiology of Glucose Metabolism
14. Nutrients & Botanicals for balancing Glucose Metabolism
15. Dealing with Diabetic Complications
16. Steroidal Hormone Biochemistry: Analysis of Androgenic and Estrogenic Pathway
17. Hydroxy Estrogens – The Good, The Gad & The Ugly
18. Magor Gene SNPs Affecting Estrogen Metabolism: Aromatase, Hydroxylation, Methylation, Glutathione Transferase
19. Cancer& Environmental Chemical Acceleration of Estrogen Hydroxylation
20. DNA Stabilization
21. Quinones & Glutathione Detoxification
22. Pairing 23&me Estrogen Genetic Analysis with Urinary Hormone Testing
23. Implementing Biochemical-Specific Nutrient Therapies

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Functional Medicine in Japan is not caught up yet but the translation is Kinousei Igaku (機能性医学）and explains in this website in the Japanese language.

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Tamie’s Favorites:

• Tamie’s Power Breakfast – Rich in protein, fibers, and healthy fat!
  

  

• Dandy Blend – for the coffee alternative. Dandelion and Chicory Root Tea. With MCT powder – you can make a great cafe latte like the aroma but not with caffeine in it.
• Tamie’s Dandelion Chai Tea Recipe – This detox tea (the recipe on the top) will warm you up this winter! It tastes like a cafe latte! 1/2 of the amount of this recipe is just enough for a large mug cup full of Chai Tea for you to enjoy. (*Avoid carrageenan in almond milk)
• MCT Powder – the extract from coconuts oil. You will burn calories from fat. Add 1 tsp to your cup of coffee in the morning to stabilize your blood sugar level all day long.
• Coconuts Oil “Aroma Free“ – this was great news to me! Excellent addition to my kitchen.
• The best-whipped Cream – Refreigate overnight, open the can and blend it using a blender, and put it back into the refrigerator for another few hours. You have the best whipped cream ever!
• Water Filter – AquaTrue – this is the water filter I use. It blocks Fluoride!!! (reverse osmosis).  Berkey Water Filter is also a great filter.
• Cupping Info – Cupping is a great modality to be used for acute cold, nagging cough, and muscle aches.
• Volcano Bursts Organic Italian Lemon Juice – just add the olive oil and sea salt to make a great-tasting salad dressing. The great price on Amazon.
• My favorite Olive Oil – is Kasandrinos Organic Extra Virgin Greek Oil. This is pure Olive Oil. You will taste the difference.
• Cold & flu Protection – 1-3 tsp of this black cumin seed oil with vitamin C. You do not need to get a 10% effective flu vaccination!
• Fluoride-free toothpaste & shower filter – Please check my blog for how Fluoride is affecting our health. This is my recommendation for toothpaste.
• Gluten-Free Steelcut Oatmeal – Great breakfast with mixed berries.
• Crockpot Lentil Soup Recipe for a cold day – Pinch of Yum
• Kitchari – You can buy online -my favorite breakfast. You can have it for lunch or dinner as well. It is a super detoxifying food

 

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Amazing, Shocking Articles and Videos:

• Diseases and Chronic Health Conditions with GMOs & Glyphosate – researched by Nancy Swanson, N.L.., ET AL. and Stephanie Seneff Ph.D. at MIT
• Gut Microbiome explained in 5 minutes cartoon video (very cute)
• Would you like to learn about Gluten? This is the best youtube video about Gluten – Dr. David Perlmutter M.D.’s interview

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Thank you for posting your review!!! I recently found Google will not post your review if you use URL, email address, icon, symbol, or special characters “$, &, @, and (  )” signs. It seems Google will filter out and not show publicly but only you can see the review you wrote. Thank you so much for posting your review. I appreciate your time.

 

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