The Salt Lake Functional Medicine Approach: Our Philosophy
At Salt Lake Functional Medicine, we believe that true health comes from addressing the root causes of illness, not just masking the symptoms. Our philosophy is centered around functional medicine, a science-based, comprehensive approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of the body’s systems.
Most of our patients arrive here after years of navigating the conventional medical system. They have seen multiple providers. They have had labs drawn. They have been told everything looks normal. And yet they do not feel normal. This gap between what the tests say and how a person actually feels is exactly where our work begins.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine seeks to understand why a disease or dysfunction has occurred, rather than simply naming the diagnosis. It views the body as an integrated whole, recognizing that imbalances in one area can impact other systems. We believe that each individual is unique, with a distinct genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environmental influences.
Standard medicine typically assigns symptoms to separate specialists. Functional medicine follows the connections between them. The result is a view of your health that is far more complete and far more actionable.
Our Core Principles:
Patient-Centered Care:
We believe in building strong partnerships with our patients. Your story, experiences, and goals are central to the healing process. We take the time to understand how you arrived at your current state of health, not just what your current symptoms are.
Root-Cause Resolution:
We go deep to identify and address the underlying imbalances that contribute to your health challenges. A headache can be medicated. Fatigue can be pushed through. But if the underlying cause is never identified, the symptoms return. We are not interested in managing your symptoms indefinitely. We are interested in understanding why they are there.
Holistic Approach:
We consider all aspects of your health, including physical, mental, emotional, and environmental factors. The body's systems do not operate independently, and your care plan reflects that reality.
Individualized Support:
We develop personalized treatment plans built around your unique needs. Two patients with the same diagnosis can have entirely different root causes. Treating them identically produces inconsistent results. Every plan at Salt Lake Functional Medicine is built around the individual.
Empowerment Through Education:
We believe that knowledge is power. Dr. Fries, DC takes the time to explain what your labs mean, why specific interventions are recommended, and how your lifestyle choices are affecting your biology. An informed patient is an empowered patient, and empowered patients get better results.
Science-Based Approach:
We combine the latest scientific research with clinical expertise and a deep understanding of the body's complex systems. What distinguishes our approach is the depth of investigation and the willingness to look beyond standard reference ranges to identify patterns that predict dysfunction before disease is fully established.
What the Process Looks Like
Step 1: Comprehensive Initial Consultation
Your first appointment is a thorough conversation. Dr. Fries, DC will review your complete health history, symptom timeline, prior diagnoses and treatments, family history, diet, sleep patterns, stress levels, and life circumstances. This is not a 15-minute intake. It is the foundation of everything that follows.
Step 2: Advanced Functional Lab Testing
Based on your initial consultation, Dr. Fries, DC identifies which areas of investigation are most relevant to your situation. Functional lab testing may assess:
- Complete thyroid function including T3 conversion and antibody levels
- Comprehensive hormone panels including sex hormones, cortisol rhythms, and DHEA
- Gut microbiome analysis and intestinal permeability markers
- Organic acids testing to assess mitochondrial and metabolic function
- Nutritional status including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids
- Inflammatory markers and immune function
- Food sensitivity and reactivity panels
Step 3: Personalized Support Plan
Once Dr. Fries, DC has a clear picture of your underlying biology, she develops a treatment plan built specifically for you. This plan typically incorporates:
- Therapeutic nutrition designed to reduce inflammation, support gut integrity, and correct metabolic imbalances
- Targeted supplementation based on your specific deficiencies and clinical needs
- Lifestyle modifications addressing sleep, stress, movement, and environmental exposures
- Hormone and gut support protocols where indicated
- Referral to complementary practitioners when appropriate
Step 4: Ongoing Partnership and Adjustment
Your body is not static, and neither is your treatment plan. Dr. Fries, DC schedules regular follow-up appointments to review your progress, interpret new lab data, and adjust the plan as your health evolves. This process is what produces lasting results rather than short-term improvements that fade.
Who Is This Approach Right For?
- People who have been told their labs are normal but continue to feel unwell
- Those with a chronic condition that has not responded fully to conventional treatment
- Anyone dealing with multiple symptoms that seem unrelated but may share a common root cause
- Those who want to understand the why behind their health challenges, not just manage the what
People willing to make dietary and lifestyle changes as part of a genuine healing process
Our Commitment:
At Salt Lake Functional Medicine, we are committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive care that empowers you to achieve lasting health and well-being. We believe that everyone deserves to live a vibrant, fulfilling life, and we are here to support you on your path to optimal health.
