What is Functional and Nutritional Medicine
… and how can it support my health ?
Functional Medicine, also referred to by some as the ‘the Medicine of the Future’, is a unique patient centered system of healing.
In comparison to mainstream (traditional Allopathic) Medicine, your Functional practitioner focuses on finding the underlying “root” causes of your health problem, rather than only managing your symptoms.
An approach to medicine that asks the questions:
“Why am I sick?”
“Why did I develop these symptoms or conditions?”
Rather than another prescription of drugs (to manage your conditions or symptoms), the Functional Medicine approach is used to address the factors that lead to or aggravate your chronic diseases. It looks beyond your diagnosis to map out a personalised treatment approach.
Can Functional Medicine replace my primary care provider?
No, that is not the intent.
The Functional Medicine approach is focused on your health and function collaboratively, but it does not replace the need for primary care. In some cases, it might be important to manage your conditions by using in combination with prescription or surgery, which a primary care provider or a physician offers.
I regularly work in partnership with primary care providers as this is the best and most thorough outcome for you.
How is Functional Medicine different from other forms of alternative medicine?
Each method in alternative medicine has its own unique approach and the Functional Medicine approach is unique in several ways:
It seeks for the CAUSE/S of your disease, rather than focus on managing the symptoms. For example, focusing on eliminating the factors that increase your inflammation, rather than only addressing the pain (often the result of chronic inflammation). It's like looking through a different lens at your organ function to find your "why ". It takes time however can be very powerful for your preventative health and longevity.
The focus is on you, rather than simply your diagnosis or condition.
I use a comprehensive evaluation process, which includes your physical, emotional and psychological state. Information is gathered about your current and past lifestyle and dietary choices, emotional and physical traumas, and the way your body reacted to these.
Do no harm! Avoiding where possible, the potential for harmful side effects by using natural alternatives instead of only prescription drugs or surgeries.
Your treatment is personalized for you, rather than the same drug for all patients with the same disease or symptoms. There is significant personalized education involved in your functional consultation.
Your treatment protocol might include nutritional and dietary guidelines, emotional resets, lifestyle changes, herbal medicine or nutritional supplements. Every patient receives their own Functional Health plan.
Is it scientific?
The evaluation and treatment methods used in Functional Medicine are based on clinical studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals.
The field of Functional Medicine was initially developed by Dr. Jeffrey Bland, a former Professor of biochemistry at the University of Puget Sound, a previous Director of Nutritional Research at the Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, and an internationally recognized leader in the Nutritional Medicine field for over 25 years. Dr. Bland’s interest and expertise in biochemistry and physiology led to a deeper and more accurate understanding of the factors that shift our body’s function from health to disease.
Over time, many scientists and clinicians have been contributing from their experience to the field of Functional Medicine. This is now a well-recognized and keenly sought field internationally.
How are Functional Medicine providers trained?
Functional Medicine providers are registered health care practitioners who undertake advanced training to learn about the external and internal factors that contribute to diseases. They learn how to firstly IDENTIFY these factors and how to ADDRESS them by using specific recommendations from lifestyle, nutritional, and herbal medicine.
My training was conducted through one of the largest International providers of Functional and Nutritional training, the American Academy of Functional Health.
What happens during your Functional meetings?
During your evaluation process, I will ask about your past and current lifestyle, diet, and your external environment (work, home, etc.). You will also be asked about the function of different organs, and we might look at your labs. During our meeting, we will go over your health concerns and the possible factors that might be aggravating your conditions.
In other words, we will try to understand ‘what’ is driving your inflammation, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, damage to the cells, and conditions. Throughout the process, I will provide you with guidance and education so you can move towards better function and health.
Is it covered by insurance?
Medical insurance was initially designed to cover emergency care, such as surgery after an injury. It was not intended to pay for doctor visits or preventative care. In many cases, providers who work under the insurance companies are still functioning in the same way. That is the reason why most primary care visits are done within < 15 minutes.
While primary care services are essential services, it is almost impossible to complete a full evaluation and understand the external, internal, environmental, and nutritional factors that are aggravating your condition or keep you ill in the 15 minutes that insurance companies allow.
To spend 1-on-1 time with you, conduct a comprehensive assessment, develop treatment protocols that are personalised to your body, get to know you and provide education – we initially typically need between 60-90 minutes. Your initial first visit may extend to 120 minutes.
Remember, this is your body, and I believe that you should be the one to decide the type of care that you deserve.
Partnering with an appropriate practitioner to educate and guide you on preventative care is a true investment in you allowing you to take control of your health journey one step at a time. You then own your process, for life.
My initial consultations are best in person in clinic for appropriate review and measurement of Body Composition (BIA). Any subsequent consultations can be arranged digitally and Australia wide via Zoom or Facetime.
Fee Schedule :
Complimentary Discovery Call for 15 mins
Scheduled for us both to understand your issues, my processes, and to see if my approach may be able to support you. This can be simply booked online.
Initial in clinic Functional + Nutritional Health consultation :
90-120 mins - $350
Follow up consultation (via Zoom/Facetime or in clinic) :
45-60 mins - $250
Follow up consultation (via Zoom/Facetime or in clinic) :
30 mins - $220
Initial in clinic Skin and Hair consultation :
60-90 mins - $250
Skin and Hair Treatments are quoted for you at your initial review, with a $100 credit for any 1st treatment if scheduled within 4 weeks of consultation.
The times allocated above include time to review your labs, entry forms, photographs and previous results required to prepare so you receive the maximum value from your consultation.
These are private fees and no Medi-care rebate is involved.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please note, I really value your time, I aim for punctuality for you and I hope you respect my time and the challenges of late cancellations. I also understand that last minute things happen.
In 2025 a cancellation fee of $100 is applied to consultations cancelled within 48 business hours of appointment without prior arrangement.
Victoria Pavasovic CFNMP RN MACN
Certified Functional and Nutritional Medicine Practitioner
Certified Co-Biome Microbiome Practitioner
Professional Food and Nutritional Coach
Skin + Hair Health + Restoration
Compounded VP Nutraceuticals