What Is Functional Medicine and How Can It Benefit Your Health?

At Golden State Medical Center, we embrace a functional medicine approach to treating chronic diseases, focusing on uncovering and addressing the root causes of illness rather than just managing symptoms. Our patient-centered philosophy recognizes that each individual is unique, and we consider your specific genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors when developing your care plan.
 
Our experienced practitioners begin with a comprehensive assessment that goes beyond a standard medical history. We utilize advanced laboratory testing and carefully evaluate your diet, exercise habits, stress levels, sleep quality, and potential environmental exposures. This thorough process helps us understand the full picture of your health.
 
Rather than treating a single disease in isolation, Golden State Medical Center looks at how the body’s systems interact. We investigate factors such as chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, gut health, and immune function to uncover what may be contributing to your ongoing health concerns.
 
Your treatment plan will be highly individualized and may include dietary modifications, nutritional supplements, stress management strategies, exercise recommendations, and—in some cases—pharmaceuticals when necessary. Our goal is to support your body’s natural healing processes and restore optimal function by correcting underlying imbalances.
 
Collaboration is central to our approach. We partner with you, empowering you to play an active role in your health journey. Through this partnership, we aim not only to relieve the symptoms of chronic disease but also to promote lasting wellness and help prevent future illness by addressing the foundational factors that influence your health.
 
Discover a proactive, integrative approach to your well-being at Golden State Medical Center—where your long-term health is our priority.

When you visit Golden State Medical Center, our practitioners take the time to thoroughly understand your unique health story. We consider your medical history, genetics, lifestyle, environment, and individual biochemistry. Using advanced diagnostic testing and in-depth assessments, we evaluate key areas such as digestion, hormone balance, immune function, detoxification, and energy production to uncover any imbalances or dysfunctions.
 
Our primary goal is to determine why a health issue has developed, not just how to relieve its symptoms. For example, if you come to us with high blood pressure, we won’t just prescribe medication—we will also explore contributing factors such as chronic stress, nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, or insulin resistance. Based on our findings, we create personalized treatment plans that may include nutrition guidance, stress management strategies, tailored exercise programs, and targeted supplementation or medications as needed.
 
By addressing the root causes of illness, the team at Golden State Medical Center aims to restore optimal function to your body’s systems, promote long-term wellness, and reduce your risk of chronic diseases.
 
Discover a new, holistic approach to healthcare at Golden State Medical Center—where your health and well-being are our top priorities.
 
Functional medicine can support a wide range of chronic and complex health concerns by focusing on underlying contributors rather than isolated symptoms. It is commonly used for conditions that involve long-term inflammation, metabolic imbalance, or multiple overlapping factors affecting overall health.

Many people seek functional medicine care for metabolic concerns such as blood sugar imbalance, weight challenges, and energy fluctuations. This approach often emphasizes nutrition, lifestyle habits, and individualized strategies to support healthier metabolic function over time. Digestive concerns are another frequent focus, including ongoing bloating, irregular bowel habits, food sensitivities, or gut discomfort, where a deeper evaluation of digestion, nutrition, and stress may be helpful.

Functional medicine is also used to address persistent fatigue, widespread discomfort, or reduced stamina by exploring factors such as sleep quality, nutrient status, and daily stressors. Hormonal imbalances, including thyroid-related concerns or life-stage hormonal changes, are often approached through comprehensive assessment and personalized care planning.

Mental and emotional well-being may also be supported through functional medicine by examining the connection between nutrition, lifestyle, stress, and overall brain health. Additionally, individuals with recurring inflammatory or immune-related symptoms may benefit from identifying environmental, dietary, or lifestyle triggers that contribute to flare-ups.

Overall, functional medicine is designed to work alongside traditional medical care, offering a broader, individualized perspective. The goal is to help patients better understand their health, support balance across body systems, and create a personalized plan that promotes long-term wellness and quality of life.

Functional medicine can support a wide range of chronic and complex health concerns by focusing on underlying contributors rather than isolated symptoms. It is commonly used for conditions that involve long-term inflammation, metabolic imbalance, or multiple overlapping factors affecting overall health.

Many people seek functional medicine care for metabolic concerns such as blood sugar imbalance, weight challenges, and energy fluctuations. This approach often emphasizes nutrition, lifestyle habits, and individualized strategies to support healthier metabolic function over time. Digestive concerns are another frequent focus, including ongoing bloating, irregular bowel habits, food sensitivities, or gut discomfort, where a deeper evaluation of digestion, nutrition, and stress may be helpful.

Functional medicine is also used to address persistent fatigue, widespread discomfort, or reduced stamina by exploring factors such as sleep quality, nutrient status, and daily stressors. Hormonal imbalances, including thyroid-related concerns or life-stage hormonal changes, are often approached through comprehensive assessment and personalized care planning.

Mental and emotional well-being may also be supported through functional medicine by examining the connection between nutrition, lifestyle, stress, and overall brain health. Additionally, individuals with recurring inflammatory or immune-related symptoms may benefit from identifying environmental, dietary, or lifestyle triggers that contribute to flare-ups.

Overall, functional medicine is designed to work alongside traditional medical care, offering a broader, individualized perspective. The goal is to help patients better understand their health, support balance across body systems, and create a personalized plan that promotes long-term wellness and quality of life.

Your functional medicine consultation is designed to provide a thorough, patient-centered experience that goes beyond a typical medical visit. From your first appointment, our team is dedicated to understanding your unique health story and addressing the root causes of your symptoms—not just the symptoms themselves.
 
Your visit will begin with a review of your detailed health history, which may include a comprehensive questionnaire you’ll complete before your appointment. This information covers everything from your current symptoms and past medical diagnoses to important lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, sleep habits, stress management, and environmental influences.
 
Our functional medicine consultations are longer than standard doctor’s visits, often lasting an hour or more. This allows our practitioners to listen carefully to your concerns and ask in-depth questions that help uncover patterns, triggers, and underlying causes of your health challenges. We believe in a holistic approach, so you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your personal health goals and priorities with your provider.
 
During your consultation, a physical examination may be performed, and we may recommend advanced laboratory testing if appropriate. These can include assessments for nutritional deficiencies, hormone levels, gut health, food sensitivities, or genetic markers, all tailored to your individual needs.
 
We will clearly explain our findings and recommendations, ensuring you are empowered and informed every step of the way. After your visit, you may receive follow-up materials, resources, or referrals to other specialists if needed, all coordinated by our dedicated team.

Dr. Steven Scott Newman, D.C. offers a personalized approach to functional medicine, focusing on the root causes of health issues. By evaluating each patient’s lifestyle, diet, and environmental factors, he develops customized treatment plans that address specific needs and support overall wellness. Dr. Newman integrates chiropractic care, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments to promote healing from within. His goal is to help patients achieve lasting results and empower them to take control of their health, improving their vitality and quality of life over time.
 
Your treatment plan may include evidence-based dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, targeted supplements, and other integrative therapies, all designed to fit your unique health needs and goals. For more information, please contact us or request an appointment online. We are located at 2551 San Ramon Valley Blvd. Suite 108. San Ramon, CA 94583. We serve patients from San Ramon CA, Dublin CA, Blackhawk CA, Danville CA, Alamo CA, Diablo CA, Dougherty CA, Tassajara CA, Livermore CA, and Pleasanton CA.