Science-based
Clinically researched, validated strategies that take your whole health picture into account and look “upstream” for causes.
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Functional medicine
Getting to the root of chronic health issues
A personalised, science-based approach that looks for why illness has developed, using nutrition, lifestyle and targeted testing.
Free, no obligation. First consultation £354, including a health coaching session. See fees
20+ years in clinical practiceIFM Certified PractitionerBritish Acupuncture Council member
Why we need it
Built for chronic illness, not just acute care
More people than ever live with complex, chronic diseases such as autoimmune disorders, diabetes, heart disease, mental illness and infertility.
Most medicine is designed for acute care: diagnosing and treating short-term, urgent illness such as infections or injuries. This is where our NHS shines. But GPs and consultants rarely have the time to piece together the full picture of a person, including their genetics, environment and lifestyle.
The gap between new research and everyday clinical practice can be as long as 50 years. Functional medicine practitioners have been at the forefront of areas like the microbiome, and bring that research into your care.
How it’s different
Treating the person, not just the label
Person-centred
Diagnoses are seen in the context of your life. I listen to your story first, then order tests selectively.
Integrated
Western diagnostics combined with nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture, biofeedback, supplements and stress management.
What we look at
The systems behind your symptoms
We begin with careful history taking, physical examination and, where useful, laboratory testing. Together these show:
- how well your gut digests and absorbs critical nutrients
- immune and inflammatory regulation
- how efficiently your cells produce energy
- how your body clears itself of toxins
- the production, regulation and breakdown of hormones and neurotransmitters
When these processes are out of balance they lead to symptoms, and over time to disease. The good news is that genes are not set in stone: environment and lifestyle change how they are expressed, and most imbalances can be improved or fully restored.
Prevention is paramount. As a patient you become an active partner, fully in charge of improving your own health.
Read: What is functional medicine? · How to choose the right practitioner
Quick answers
Functional medicine questions
Short answers to the questions people ask most. Anything else, ring the clinic on (0131) 235 1232.
What is functional medicine?
Functional medicine looks for the root causes of chronic symptoms, rather than only managing them. It looks at how your gut, immune system, hormones, metabolism and lifestyle interact, then uses nutrition, lifestyle changes and targeted supplements to restore balance.
How is functional medicine different from seeing my GP?
Conventional medicine is essential for diagnosis, acute illness and emergencies. Functional medicine asks why symptoms developed, and spends more time on your history, diet, lifestyle and detailed testing. Charmaine works alongside your GP, not instead of them.
What happens at the first consultation?
Charmaine reviews your health history, symptoms, diet and lifestyle in detail, with a physical examination where appropriate. If testing would help, she'll explain which tests and why. The initial consultation costs £354 and includes a health coaching session.
Can I have functional medicine consultations online?
Yes. Consultations work well by video, and most test kits can be posted to your home. Hands-on treatments such as acupuncture need an in-person visit to the Edinburgh clinic.
Ready to get to the root of it?
Book a free discovery call and we’ll work out the best next step together.
Book a free discovery callFree, no obligation. First consultation £354, including a health coaching session. See fees
