Your body is sending you messages every single day. That crushing fatigue that no amount of coffee can fix. The brain fog that makes simple tasks feel impossible. The digestive issues that have you planning your life around bathroom locations. The unexplained weight gain despite doing "everything right." The anxiety that seems to come from nowhere.
You've been to doctor after doctor, only to be told your labs are "normal" and handed another prescription. You're not crazy. You're not lazy. You're not imagining it. You're simply stuck in a broken system that treats symptoms instead of addressing the root cause of your suffering.
But what if I told you there's a different way? A way that doesn't just mask your symptoms but actually transforms your health from the inside out? Welcome to the world of functional medicine – where real healing begins.
I'm Dr. Josh Shields, D.C., C.F.M.P., and I've witnessed miracles that conventional medicine calls "impossible." I've seen patients who were told they'd need medications for life throw away their pill bottles after addressing their root causes. I've watched people who couldn't get out of bed become vibrant, energetic versions of themselves they never thought possible.
This isn't magic – it's functional medicine. And it's changing lives every single day here in Michigan and beyond.
The truth is, most healthcare today is designed to manage disease, not create health. It's a conveyor belt system where you get seven minutes with a doctor who's already thinking about the next patient while writing you a prescription. But true healing requires time, attention, and a practitioner who sees you as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms.
Functional medicine is healthcare's best-kept secret, and it's time more people knew about it. Unlike conventional medicine that asks "What drug matches this symptom?" functional medicine asks the deeper question: "Why is this happening in the first place?"
Here is a video explaining what FM is and how it works:
Think of your body like a complex ecosystem. When something goes wrong in an ecosystem, you don't just spray pesticides and hope for the best – you look at the soil, the water, the relationships between all living things. Your body works the same way. Everything is connected.
Functional medicine recognizes that your thyroid issues might actually stem from gut dysfunction. Your depression could be rooted in nutrient deficiencies. Your chronic pain might be your body's response to hidden infections or inflammatory foods. We don't just treat the symptom – we investigate the intricate web of factors that led to your current state of health.
This approach requires practitioners who think differently, test comprehensively, and most importantly, have the time to truly understand your unique story. Because your story matters, and it holds the keys to your healing.
A functional medicine doctor operates from a completely different toolbox than conventional medicine. Instead of just reaching for the prescription pad, we dive deep into the fundamental systems that govern your health.
Our comprehensive approach includes advanced functional testing that goes far beyond basic blood work. We examine your gut microbiome, assess your toxic load, evaluate your nutrient status at the cellular level, and test for hidden infections that conventional doctors often miss. We look at your genetics not as your destiny, but as your blueprint – understanding how your unique genetic variations affect everything from detoxification to neurotransmitter production.
But testing is just the beginning. Real transformation happens through personalized protocols that address your unique imbalances. This might include targeted nutritional therapy using therapeutic-grade supplements, customized detoxification programs, gut healing protocols, hormone optimization, and stress management techniques that actually work.
We also recognize that true health isn't just about biology – it's about the intricate dance between your mindset, your behaviors, and your body's function. That's why our approach includes nervous system regulation techniques, lifestyle modifications that fit your real life, and education that empowers you to become the CEO of your own health.
The most powerful treatment we offer? Time and attention. In our practice, initial consultations are thorough deep-dives, not rushed encounters. We actually listen to your story, connect the dots between seemingly unrelated symptoms, and create a roadmap for your healing journey.
The difference between conventional and functional medicine isn't just philosophical – it's life-changing. Conventional medicine excels at acute care. If you're having a heart attack or need emergency surgery, you want the best conventional medical team possible. But for chronic conditions that develop over years or decades, the conventional model often falls short.
Here's the reality: conventional medicine is designed around the "one problem, one pill" mentality. High blood pressure? Here's a blood pressure medication. Depression? Try this antidepressant. Acid reflux? Take this acid blocker. It's like putting duct tape over your car's check engine light – the warning disappears, but the underlying problem keeps getting worse.
Functional medicine flips this approach entirely. We ask not just "What medication will suppress this symptom?" but "What is this symptom trying to tell us?" Your symptoms aren't your enemy – they're your body's way of communicating that something deeper needs attention.
The conventional approach treats the human body like a machine with separate parts that occasionally break down. Functional medicine recognizes that you're a complex, interconnected system where everything affects everything else. Your gut health influences your brain function. Your stress levels impact your immune system. Your sleep quality affects your metabolism.
Perhaps most importantly, conventional medicine focuses on disease management, while functional medicine focuses on health creation. There's a profound difference between helping someone manage their diabetes and helping someone reverse their insulin resistance entirely.
Not all functional medicine practitioners are created equal, and this is where things get dangerous for patients seeking real healing. The growing popularity of functional medicine has unfortunately led to some concerning trends that you need to know about.
Some large hospital networks have started offering "functional medicine" as a marketing tool. They'll have one doctor working part-time in functional medicine, but their real profit centers remain high-margin procedures like colonoscopies, CT scans, stents, and surgeries. The few hundred dollars they make from a functional medicine patient isn't their goal – getting you into their network for expensive diagnostics and procedures is.
The result? Terrible wait times, rushed appointments, and if you can't even get your initial appointment scheduled promptly, imagine trying to get follow-up care when you need adjustments to your protocol.
Then there's the opposite problem – practitioners who've fallen into the "one cause, one cure" trap. I've seen clinics that blame everything on Lyme disease and offer expensive IV therapies without addressing nutrition, lifestyle, or the complex interplay of factors that create chronic illness. This is just functional medicine's version of the conventional "one pill, one problem" approach.
True healing requires understanding that health emerges from the integration of three critical areas: proper mindset and nervous system regulation, healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices, and optimally functioning biology. Any practitioner who promises a quick fix or claims that one intervention will solve all your problems is someone you should run from.
When searching for functional medicine near me or a functional doctor near me, look for practitioners who understand that health is a journey, not a destination. You need someone who will walk alongside you through the ups and downs, not someone who promises unrealistic results.
At Integrative Wellness Centers, we've built something different. We understand that true healing requires time, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to your success. That's why we have three dedicated doctors and provide several hours of patient care – because your health deserves more than a rushed seven-minute encounter.
What makes us different isn't just our approach – it's our results and our commitment to truly understanding each patient's unique journey. We've created a practice where healing isn't just possible, it's expected.
Our comprehensive testing goes beyond what most practitioners offer. We use advanced functional lab work that reveals the hidden imbalances driving your symptoms. But more importantly, we know how to interpret these tests in the context of your unique story and create protocols that actually work.
We recognize that you're not just a collection of symptoms – you're a person with a life, responsibilities, and dreams that your health challenges have put on hold. Our treatment plans are designed for real people living real lives, not perfect patients in textbooks.
Perhaps most importantly, we understand that sustainable health transformation requires education and empowerment. We don't just tell you what supplements to take – we teach you why. We don't just give you a meal plan – we help you understand how food affects your unique body. We don't create dependence – we create independence.
Our approach integrates cutting-edge functional medicine with proven lifestyle interventions, advanced nutritional therapy, and stress management techniques that actually work in the real world. But the foundation of everything we do is the therapeutic relationship – the partnership between practitioner and patient that makes true healing possible.
The proof of any functional medicine practice isn't in the theories – it's in the transformed lives of real patients. Here's just one example of the kind of results we see regularly:
The proof of any functional medicine practice isn't in the theories – it's in the transformed lives of real patients. Here's just one example of the kind of results we see regularly:
Stories like this aren't exceptional in our practice – they're the norm. When you address root causes instead of just managing symptoms, profound healing becomes possible. When you treat the person, not just the diagnosis, miracles become medicine.
But remember, these transformations didn't happen overnight, and they didn't happen because of a single intervention. They happened because we partnered with these patients over time, adjusting and refining their protocols as their bodies healed and their needs evolved.
Your health is too precious to entrust to practitioners who see you as a number or a quick profit opportunity. Whether you're searching for functional doctors in Michigan or a doctor of functional medicine near me, you deserve someone who understands that your healing journey is unique and complex.
The practitioner you choose should share your values and beliefs about health and healing. They should have the time and expertise to truly understand your story. Most importantly, they should see their role not as the person who fixes you, but as the guide who helps you reclaim your own healing power.
Real functional medicine isn't about quick fixes or miracle cures. It's about patient education, sustainable lifestyle changes, and gradual but profound transformation. It's about addressing the root causes that created your current health challenges and building a foundation for lifelong vitality.
If you're ready to stop managing symptoms and start creating health, if you're tired of being told your problems are "all in your head" when you know they're real, if you want to work with practitioners who see you as a whole person deserving of time and attention – we're here for you.
Ready to start your healing journey? Book a comprehensive health evaluation with our team at Integrative Wellness Centers. This is your opportunity to finally get the answers you've been seeking and create the health transformation you deserve. Click the button below the FAQs.
Insurance coverage for functional medicine varies, but most comprehensive functional medicine practices don't accept insurance – and here's why that might actually benefit you. Insurance dictates treatment protocols and limits the time practitioners can spend with patients. By staying outside the insurance model, we can provide the thorough, personalized care you deserve.
The good news? HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) funds can often be used for functional medicine services, though you'll need to contact your provider to confirm your specific coverage. This makes our care much more accessible than many people realize.
We offer very affordable payment plans that make our care accessible. Consider this: some people pay $1,000 a month for peptide prescriptions alone. Our comprehensive approach to addressing root causes often costs less than the medications you're currently taking to manage symptoms.
Functional medicine and holistic medicine share some similarities – both view the body as an interconnected system and both consider lifestyle factors in health. However, functional medicine is distinguished by its rigorous use of advanced testing and evidence-based protocols.
While some holistic approaches rely on intuition or traditional practices, functional medicine uses "testing, not guessing." We use sophisticated lab work to identify specific imbalances and monitor your progress objectively. This scientific foundation, combined with a holistic perspective, gives us the best of both worlds.
The most important factor isn't proximity – it's alignment. Make sure the practitioner's values and beliefs about health align with yours. Look for someone who takes time to understand your story, uses comprehensive testing, and sees health as more than just the absence of symptoms.
Ask about their approach to treatment. Do they focus on one cause for all problems, or do they understand the complexity of chronic illness? Do they educate and empower patients, or create dependence? Do they have realistic timelines for healing, or do they promise quick fixes?Most importantly, trust your instincts. The right practitioner will make you feel heard, understood, and hopeful about your healing journey.
Absolutely! We offer both in-person and virtual consultations via Zoom. Many of our most successful patient relationships have been conducted virtually, allowing us to work with people throughout Michigan and beyond.
Virtual consultations are particularly effective for functional medicine because so much of our work involves education, protocol adjustments, and ongoing support. Lab work can be completed locally, and we can coordinate with local providers when hands-on care is needed.
The key to successful virtual functional medicine is finding practitioners who are skilled at creating connection and providing comprehensive care through digital platforms. Technology allows us to extend our reach and help more people access the life-changing care they deserve.
Dr. Josh Shields, D.C., C.F.M.P., is a leading functional medicine provider in Michigan with extensive training in natural healing modalities and functional medicine. With years of experience helping patients overcome chronic health challenges through naturopathic approaches, Dr. Shields combines scientific rigor with compassionate care to help patients achieve lasting health transformation.Dr. Shields specializes in thyroid and hormonal imbalances, autoimmune conditions, digestive health, and chronic fatigue. His approach integrates the core principles of naturopathic medicine with advanced functional testing and personalized treatment protocols.
It treats symptoms by addressing underlying cause of the problem, which leads to more profound and longer lasting results.
Treats the body as an interconnected whole and recognizes the importance of these connections in health and disease.
Treatments have mild or no side effects, and other unrelated complaints often improve spontaneously.
Treats the patient, not the disease. Treatments are highly individualized based on patient’s needs.
Patient is respected, empowered, educated, and encouraged to play an active role in the healing process.
Combines the best of both modern and traditional medicines and emphasizes the importance of diet and lifestyle.
Tests and treatments designed to promote optimal function, prevent and reverse disease, and improve quality of life.
Guided by the saying of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.”
Based on the latest research from peer-reviewed medical journals. Cost are sometimes are higher initially but substantial savings can occur because of liberation from conventional medicine.
Masks or suppresses symptoms, but does not address underlying cause, which creates “patients for life.”
Views the body as a collection of separate parts, each of which has its own doctor (i.e. cardiologist, podiatrist, etc.).
Treatments have side effects and complications.
Treats the disease, not the patient. Patients with the same disease get the same treatment, regardless of their differences.
Patient’s opinion is often discounted or ignored, little time is spent on education, and patient may be discouraged from playing active role.
Relies almost exclusively on drugs and surgery, in spite of their risks and complications.
Tests and treatments designed to prevent death and manage serious disease, without dealing with the underlying cause.
Focused on managing disease after it has already reached an irreversible state.
Heavily influenced by pharmaceutical and insurance companies who want to keep people dependent on their products and services. Designed to create a greater dependence the sicker you become, therefore gets more costly the longer you participate.
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Insurance coverage for functional medicine varies, but most comprehensive functional medicine practices don't accept insurance – and here's why that might actually benefit you. Insurance dictates treatment protocols and limits the time practitioners can spend with patients. By staying outside the insurance model, we can provide the thorough, personalized care you deserve. The good news? HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) funds can often be used for functional medicine services, though you'll need to contact your provider to confirm your specific coverage. This makes our care much more accessible than many people realize.We offer very affordable payment plans that make our care accessible. Consider this: some people pay $1,000 a month for peptide prescriptions alone. Our comprehensive approach to addressing root causes often costs less than the medications you're currently taking to manage symptoms.
Functional medicine and holistic medicine share some similarities – both view the body as an interconnected system and both consider lifestyle factors in health. However, functional medicine is distinguished by its rigorous use of advanced testing and evidence-based protocols. While some holistic approaches rely on intuition or traditional practices, functional medicine uses "testing, not guessing." We use sophisticated lab work to identify specific imbalances and monitor your progress objectively. This scientific foundation, combined with a holistic perspective, gives us the best of both worlds.
The most important factor isn't proximity – it's alignment. Make sure the practitioner's values and beliefs about health align with yours. Look for someone who takes time to understand your story, uses comprehensive testing, and sees health as more than just the absence of symptoms. Ask about their approach to treatment. Do they focus on one cause for all problems, or do they understand the complexity of chronic illness? Do they educate and empower patients, or create dependence? Do they have realistic timelines for healing, or do they promise quick fixes? Most importantly, trust your instincts. The right practitioner will make you feel heard, understood, and hopeful about your healing journey.
Absolutely! We offer both in-person and virtual consultations via Zoom. Many of our most successful patient relationships have been conducted virtually, allowing us to work with people throughout Michigan and beyond.Virtual consultations are particularly effective for functional medicine because so much of our work involves education, protocol adjustments, and ongoing support. Lab work can be completed locally, and we can coordinate with local providers when hands-on care is needed. The key to successful virtual functional medicine is finding practitioners who are skilled at creating connection and providing comprehensive care through digital platforms. Technology allows us to extend our reach and help more people access the life-changing care they deserve.
Yes, we offer payment plans through CareCredit. CareCredit offers up to 18 months at 0% interest. Payment plans can be as low as $125 a month. You can apply online for CareCredit or call (800) 365-8295.
Initial Consultation (30 minutes) and Review of Test Findings (30 minutes): $59 ($500 Value) Our initial care plans may consist of one or multiple visits over a 4-7 month period, with total costs varying based on the severity of your condition. To make this process as stress-free as possible, we offer flexible payment options both in-office and through CareCredit. Our care plans are designed to give you everything you need for success, without any surprises. We believe in being upfront with you from the start, providing a good faith estimate of the total investment required for your health. This way, you’ll have a clear understanding of what it will take to complete your journey to wellness. We’re not in the business of stringing you along or creating uncertainty. Instead, we’re committed to offering all the tools, support, and resources necessary to help you get well and stay well. Our care plans may include: -- Nutraceuticals -- Visits with your doctor - Support from our Wellness/Success Coach -- Lab reviews -- Case review -- Wellness Workshops -- Additional materials, such as a food journal, workbook, and cookbook -- Direct email and phone access to your care team between visits. Our goal is to empower you with a complete roadmap to better health from day one.
In most cases, your care here will be covered through a FSA or a HSA. However, we recommend you contact your account coordinator to ensure that your plan will cover your expenses.
The majority of patients are recommended to take a comprehensive blood test evaluating over 80 different bio-markers and all of the primary organ systems of the body. The doctor will also recommend additional testing depending on your unique case and goals. The testing we offer can include but are not limited to a stool test, a hormone test, a food sensitivity test or in depth nutritional test.
If your case is accepted and you are admitted to care, the next step is to complete the testing your doctor ordered, schedule your next visit to go over the test results. At your next scheduled visit you will then start your first nutraceutical protocol and get recommended dietary changes.
Your consultation will be scheduled for 30 minutes but the total time you are in the clinic can take 40-90 minutes total. During your consultation we will let you know if we can accept your case and admit you to care. In order to accept your case we will need to first, determine if we can help you and secondly, make sure you are willing and able to do what it takes in order for us to help you. If those two requirements are met and your case is admitted we will go over the required testing, care plan outline and financial obligations of your specific care plan.
Our incredible team of wellness experts is committed to excellence and dedicated to delivering exceptional naturopathic, functional, integrative & holistic health services. Specializing in natural solutions for hormone, thyroid and fatigue related conditions.
Providing Holistic Care For The Following Communities In Person and Via Zoom: