4 Ways Functional Medicine Can Improve Your Health, Change Your Life

by

Last updated: August 25, 2026

White Onyx Functional & Aesthetic Medicine prioritizes your overall health and well-being with a fresh approach to identifying and addressing your one-of-a-kind needs through functional medicine. This approach is not a “sideline service”; it is at the heart of all that Dr. Liz Tateoka and our team in Gardner, Massachusetts, do to support your healthiest, highest-quality life. For those unfamiliar with this alternative to “conventional” health care, we are pleased to provide information on four fundamentals of functional medicine and how it can benefit you. 

1 –  Treating root causes, not symptoms

You are a complex sum of many different parts. We take the time to understand your medical history and environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors, so we can identify the underlying causes of your health concerns. We do not merely treat how these different factors manifest as pain, inflammation, fatigue, digestive issues, insomnia, and more. We uncover the source or root cause of these symptoms. Through advanced lab testing and a thorough history, our team understands what needs to be addressed in order to get real, lasting change and relief from your distressing symptoms.

2 – Extensive evaluation and testing 

To accurately understand the source of your health challenges or concerns, we must collect as much information as possible about you. This comprehensive and advanced approach to testing goes beyond the cursory, superficial, or standard tests that you may have come to expect at most conventional medical offices. As functional medicine providers, we invest considerable care and effort in reviewing extensive client histories and assessing lifestyle, social, hormonal, nutritional, environmental, and other factors. A deep analysis allows us to uncover patterns that contribute to imbalance and disease. At [practise_name], your analysis might include saliva, urine, blood, stool, and other tests that provide detailed insights into your unique biochemistry, food sensitivity, inflammatory markers, and more, which uncover information well beyond the usual blood tests. 

3 – More than just a client – you are an active participant and partner

Dr. Tateoka and our team emphasize empowering clients with information about their current health needs, as well as tangible ways to overcome challenges and meet those needs and health goals. We actively partner with our clients, equipping them with the clear knowledge and support needed to make real changes in their lives and health. By actively participating in and taking real ownership of your health, you can change the outcome of disease and achieve sustained health and wellness. This approach is so much more meaningful than the standard annual physical or, worse yet, only addressing problems after they reach a breaking point. We take a proactive, consistent approach that stays ahead of the “worst,” not a reactive one that is focused on just masking symptoms rather than addressing, resolving, and preventing them.

4 – So many treatment options, personalized to you

Conventional medicine is quick to treat with prescription drugs or procedures. At our practice, pharmaceuticals may be incorporated into your unique treatment plan, but they are not the first-line choice. Supplements, botanical medicine, and nutritional guidance can be essential pieces incorporated into your personalized functional medicine treatment plan. Stress management techniques, guidance on good sleep hygiene, and other lifestyle measures play a primary role in our treatment approach. 

In order for your practitioners at [practise_name] to develop specific actions or interventions, we must first understand what your root causes are – they may include hormone imbalances, poorly managed stress, gut/microbiome imbalances, chronic inflammation, toxin exposure, or any combination of factors that are at the core of your health challenges. To schedule your 30-minute wellness consultation, click the “Book Now” button today.  Let’s discover your path to health and healing together!

Written By: Dr. Elizabeth Tateok
Published: March 04, 2026

Last updated: August 25, 2026

Functional Medicine

Start healing from the root cause.

Aesthetic Medicine

Refresh your confidence, naturally.

Recent Posts

Recent Posts

Ready to invest in yourself?

Functional Medicine

$99 Consultation

45-Minute Initial Consultation for:

▪ Weight Loss ▪
▪ Hormone Optimization ▪
▪ Functional Medicine / Wellness ▪

$99 fee can be applied towards a same-day purchase.

Aesthetic Medicine

NO COST Consultation

Complimentary Consultation for:

▪ Aesthetics / Skin ▪
▪ Hair Restoration PRP ▪
▪ IV Hydration/Vitamin Injections  ▪
▪ Laser Hair Removal ▪

Start with a consultation. We'll listen first, then map the path that fits your life and your goals.

Financing Available

Flexible payment options for personalized care.

We believe personalized healthcare should be accessible. While White Onyx does not participate with insurance plans, we accept HSA and FSA payments when eligible. We also offer flexible financing options through CareCredit and Affirm, making it easier to begin care when you're ready.

We are a Certified
CareCredit Provider!