ShareOne ReviewsIs functional medicine worth it for chronic illness?
40 people answered this on the record, across 21 organisations. The change they described most often was symptoms resolved or reduced — 10 of 40 raised it unprompted. 8 described more energy through the day. The timeframe described most often was over a year. Each figure is a count of what someone said in a recorded interview.
Based on interviews recorded up to 2026-08-13. Updated as new interviews arrive.
Individual results vary. This is one customer's first-hand account of their own experience, recorded on camera and published unedited. It is not medical advice, and nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your health.
What the answers had in common
Counts of interviews where the person described this in their own words.
| What changed | Interviews | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Symptom relief | 10 of 40 | 25% |
| More energy | 8 of 40 | 20% |
| Digestion | 7 of 40 | 18% |
| More clients | 7 of 40 | 18% |
| Family & relationships | 7 of 40 | 18% |
| Better systems | 5 of 40 | 13% |
- “Just knowing that we've seen, like, this much improvement, this drastic improvement, and that I know we'll get to the point where she doesn't have flares at all.”Nicole Thompson
- “I just have a lot more energy now and I'm so much less inflamed.”Tito
- “Not only like with what I was doing with clients, but what I was doing with myself and being able to just overcome the gut issues I was experiencing with healing my own gut.”Suzanne Subaitani
- “Not only like with what I was doing with clients, but what I was doing with myself and being able to just overcome the gut issues I was experiencing with healing my own gut.”Suzanne Subaitani
How long it took them
- 2 – 6 months · 1
- Over a year · 2
The interviews behind this answer
WatchFrom Severe Eczema and Oozing Wounds to Clear Skin and GymnasticsNicole Thompson reviewed Integrative Health Carolinas, detailing her daughter's recovery from severe eczema and eosinophilic esophagitis. By following Dr. Temple’s gut-healing protocol, her daughter’s SCORAD score dropped from 87 to the teens. After failing b…Nicole Thompson · Integrative Health Carolinas
WatchPediatrician Overcomes Chronic Pain and Autoimmune Arthritis Through Qigong and MindfulnessLaura Bierwagen credits Urban Monk Productions with helping her overcome ten years of chronic pain and autoimmune arthritis. After attending the retreat and committing to a 100-day Qigong 'gong,' she transitioned from using crutches to performing physical rou…Laura Bierwagen · Urban Monk Productions
WatchElectrician Returns to Work and Expands Family After Chronic Illness RecoveryBen Hays achieved a full recovery at Dr. Autoimmune after struggling with chronic illness, anxiety, and fatigue. By following a nutrition-based approach, elimination diet, and mold detox, Ben met all three of his primary goals: returning to his normal life, r…Ben Hays · Dr. Autoimmune
WatchFrom Chronic Pain to Running 25 Miles Weekly with My Lyme DocErica regained her health at My Lyme Doc after struggling with Lyme disease, mold poisoning, and gut issues. Previously unable to play on the floor with her children, she now runs 20 to 25 miles per week and manages two companies. She credits the clinic's edu…Erica · My Lyme Doc
WatchMaster Practitioner Achieves Clinical Confidence and Root-Cause Gut Healing ResultsSuzanne Subaitani found that the Institute of Restorative Health (formerly Restorative Wellness Solutions) provided the evidence-based protocols necessary to move beyond conventional medicine's limitations. By utilizing tools like MRT food sensitivity testing…Suzanne Subaitani · Institute of Restorative Health (formerly Restorative Wellness Solutions)
WatchOvercoming Chronic Gut Issues Through a Holistic Neuroplastic and Functional ApproachMiranda Rudegeair turned to Inner Genius Health after Western medicine failed to solve her chronic gut problems. By working with Dr. Traci Potterf, she achieved a higher baseline quality of life, lost 10 pounds, and adopted a sustainable 'healthy hedonism' li…Miranda Rudegeair · Inner Genius Health
WatchOvercoming 20 Years of Chronic Hives and Achieving Two Successful PregnanciesTito Ogunsola-Smith credits Full Spectrum Integrative Medicine for resolving a 20-year battle with chronic hives and fatigue that specialists could not solve. Through evidence-based functional medicine, hormone replacement, and IV therapy, Tito achieved two s…Tito · Full Spectrum Integrative Medicine- Detox RejuvenationWatchOvercoming Hopelessness Through Root Cause Resolution and Parasite Cleansing ProtocolsAmy found success with Detox Rejuvenation after years of failed treatments elsewhere. By following the Rapid Gut Reset protocol, she reached the 'yellow lane' and successfully began clearing parasites. She credits the program's focus on root causes, including…Amy · Detox Rejuvenation
WatchRetired Patient Reclaims Life and Energy While Reducing Six Prescription MedicationsJudy Bonville credits F8 Well Centers with helping her reclaim her life after years of chronic fatigue. By addressing systemic imbalances through virtual consultations, she successfully eliminated six prescription medications and regained enough energy to ret…Judy Bonville · F8 wellcenters
What they doubted first
- “If you are thinking about joining the Institute of Restorative Health, I would say don't hesitate.”Suzanne Subaitani
- “It can be expensive to invest in functional medicine, but my health was the most important thing to me, and so the money was worth it in the end. I could either be sick forever or I could spend money on my health and get better. There's no point in spending m…”Miranda Rudegeair
- “Tito noted that while she considered the cost, it eventually evened out when compared to the frequent copays and visits to other physicians. She felt the 'elevated aspect of care' and the fact that Dr. Staid actually listened made it well worth the investment.”Tito
Follow-up questions they answered
- Is the Integrative Health Carolinas program affordable for families?
- Nicole Thompson was initially concerned about the cost, but noted that the team was compassionate and worked to make the program reasonable and achievable for her to sign up, which gave her a lot of faith. — Nicole Thompson
- How long does it take to see results with Dr. Temple's eczema protocol?
- Nicole observed that the process is not linear and involves ups and downs. She began seeing fewer and less severe eczema flares at the six-month mark, with significant healing and clear skin achieved after one year. — Nicole Thompson
- What happens if traditional medications like Dupixent fail for my child?
- Nicole turned to IHC after biologic injections proved painful and ineffective for her daughter's GI issues. She found success by switching the focus to gut healing, eliminating dairy, wheat, and added sugars. — Nicole Thompson
- Is the Urban Monk retreat worth the financial investment?
- Laura Bierwagen initially needed to justify the cost, which she did by focusing on the opportunity to discuss the 'Upstream' microbiome program directly with Pedram Shojai. Ultimately, she concluded the experience is a 'gift to yourself' that provides value in ways you cannot anticipate. — Laura Bierwagen
- How did you feel before engaging with the program?
- I did feel an emotional shift. I had been struggling personally with where am I gonna go? I was on crutches for 10 years, and I had horrible autoimmune arthritis and chronic pain and just it was ... It hurt to move at all. — Laura Bierwagen
- What was your motivation for joining the Urban Monk Academy and attending the retreat?
- I wanted to be in the room with Pedram. I have been a member of the Urban Monk Academy for a long time. I know that he is science-based. If he says something, he's got evidence and he knows it. I also wanted to talk to him about Upstream, a program talking about the microbiome. — Laura Bierwagen
Where these people were
- Dr Tom Moorcroft · 5
- F8 wellcenters · 4
- Laura Frontiero · 4
- My Lyme Doc · 3
- Detox Rejuvenation · 3
- Arbor Health · 3
- Dr. Autoimmune · 2
- Pioneer Health Center · 2
- Lauren Stone · 2
- Integrative Health Carolinas · 1
- Urban Monk Productions · 1
- Institute of Restorative Health (formerly Restorative Wellness Solutions) · 1