Functional Medicine

You can browse functional medicine practitioners listed on Health Hunter on this page. Search by your location, check each profile to see where they practise and whether they offer telehealth, then request an appointment. Practitioners come from a range of backgrounds, including GPs, naturopaths and nutritionists.

No, you usually do not need a referral to see a GP or practitioner who uses a functional medicine approach. You only need a GP referral if you want to claim a Medicare rebate for a specialist. It is still a good idea to keep your regular GP informed, so everyone looking after you knows about your tests, medicines and supplements.

It depends on who you see. If you see a GP or other doctor who uses a functional medicine approach, the consultation can attract a Medicare rebate under the usual rules. For visits to naturopaths, nutritionists and other practitioners, some private health funds offer extras cover. Check with your health fund to see what your policy includes.

During a functional medicine consultation, the practitioner will take a detailed medical history, including information about your lifestyle, diet, stress levels, genetics, and environmental exposures. They may also order specialized lab tests to gain a deeper understanding of your body’s function. The goal is to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root causes of your health concerns.

Functional medicine can be used to treat a wide range of chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases, digestive disorders (such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease), hormonal imbalances, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Unlike conventional medicine, which often focuses on diagnosing and treating specific diseases or symptoms, functional medicine seeks to understand the underlying causes of illness by considering the complex interactions between genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors. Functional medicine practitioners use a systems-oriented approach, aiming to treat the whole person rather than just the disease.