Functional Medicine Serving Weston & Wausau, WI

Functional Medicine Uncovers the Root Cause of Disease to Restore Health

Answering the question: Why?  When dealing with chronic disease, it’s important to ask the question, why?

  • Why did you develop this disease?
  • What are the underlying factors?
  • Can anything be done to correct what went wrong to restore health?

Functional medicine at Innovative Health in Weston, Wisconsin, near Wausau identifies genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that influence health and complex, chronic disease. Biochemical imbalances and nutritional deficiencies are found and corrected to restore normal function to the body.

When normal function is restored, symptoms can resolve, and medication may no longer be necessary.
Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN, at Innovative Health in Weston, Wisconsin
“It can be difficult to distinguish between treating symptoms and correcting the cause of a condition. However, this distinction is important because it’s the difference between managing a disease and getting better.”

Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN
Doctor of Chiropractic and Diplomate in Clinical Nutrition
Wisconsin Functional Medicine Specialist

Traditional vs Functional Medicine

Comparison of traditional and functional medicine approaches to patient care

Functional medicine might be considered by some to be a “new” approach to treating conditions and diseases. In reality, it’s probably the oldest approach in the world. Hippocrates has been credited with saying, “The greatest medicine of all is teaching people how not to need it.”

Traditional medicine excels at delivering life-saving measures for acute medical problems. But when it comes to treating chronic disease, the current “pill for every ill” healthcare model is failing. Chronic disease is on the rise, and life expectancy is falling.

Functional medicine offers a scientific, researched-based approach to combat chronic disease by restoring health.

In-Depth Look at Your Health

Have you ever felt like you don’t have enough time with your doctor to really talk about your health?

Our functional medicine appointments are longer. We take the time to listen and ask questions to get a complete picture of your health. The end goal is to correct what is not functioning properly within your body to restore your health.

A clinician taking notes during a patient conversation
Wooden figures with one red figure representing individual differences

Don't Settle for Cookie Cutter

Beware of clinics with a shelf full of packaged solutions for a range of conditions. As a Diplomate in Clinical Nutrition, Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler will look at a detailed history of your current health status to develop a plan that is just for you.

“The greatest medicine of all is teaching people how not to need it.”

Hippocrates

GENES + LIFESTYLE + ENVIRONMENT = DISEASE

Wisconsin Functional Medicine Specialist

Research has shown that genetics alone account for only a small fraction of disease. How your environment and lifestyle interact with your genes is the true root cause of most disease. There are seven foundational lifestyle factors that influence health:
  1. Genetics
  2. Nutrition
  3. Exercise
  4. Exposure to Toxins
  5. Sleep
  6. Stress Levels
  7. Relationships
Since no two people share the same foundational lifestyle factors, functional medicine must look at each patient as a true individual. Foundational lifestyle factors impact how your cells function, repair, and maintain themselves. Cell function, in turn, influences larger biological functions including:
  • Immune system function
  • Regulation of hormones and neurotransmitters
  • Inflammatory response
  • Digestion and absorption of nutrients
  • Elimination of toxins
  • Structural integrity
  • and much more
When these processes are disturbed or out of balance, it can lead to disease.

Clinical Nutrition in Weston, Serving Wausau

Looking for clinical nutrition near Wausau? Dr. Kevin Ritzenthaler, DC, DCBCN is a Diplomate in Clinical Nutrition with postgraduate training completed in 2007. At our Weston clinic, nutrition counseling is a vital component of Functional Medicine, connecting your health history, dietary habits, and lab findings to a personalized plan that includes targeted dietary changes and nutritional supplements when recommended.

What to Expect

Treatment begins with a detailed history of your present health status and an exam. The doctor may also request a detailed look at current dietary habits.

Then, tests are ordered to help identify biochemical imbalances and nutritional deficiencies. Test samples may include blood, urine, and saliva.

Upon review of the lab results, a treatment plan will be developed. It may include a combination of lifestyle modifications and dietary changes, empowering you to take an active role in regaining your health. The doctor may also prescribe nutraceutical supplements.  The doctor will work with you to monitor your progress throughout the treatment plan.

The tests conducted by Functional Medicine doctors are not typically found in traditional medical offices.

Functional Medicine Process

In-Depth Health History Review

exam clipboard-circle badge

Exam

diet basket circle badge

Diet

lifestyle shoe circle badge

Lifestyle

lab tests tubes circle badge

Lab Tests

We will spend time getting to know you and learning about your health history.
We may also perform a physical exam and order lab tests.

Determine Root Cause

Using everything we’ve learned, we will determine the likely underlying cause(s) of your condition.

Detailed Plan + Support

treatment-plan-document-icon
double-arrow-left
double-arrow-right@4x.png
handshake-support-icon

Your treatment plan may include a combination of specific dietary and lifestyle changes and may include nutraceutical supplements. We will offer support and resources to help you succeed.

Raised fist

Empowered Patients

Your journey begins once you are empowered with the information and tools you need to regain your health.

Restored Health

Feel better. Live better.

FAQ

Functional Medicine Frequently Asked Questions

A Reputation for Results

See what our patients say about us

TIM

IBS, Psoriasis

ANGI

Nummular Dermatitis, Eczema, IBS

CHELSEY

Crohn’s Disease, GI Issues

ALYSSA

Outdoor Allergies, Seasonal Allergies

3 Steps to Feeling Better

Complete Evaluation

Complete Evaluation

Your first visit will include a complete evaluation of your current condition. We will uncover the root cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Effective Care

Effective Care

We don't do cookie-cutter care plans. Your care will be customized to you and may include a combination of therapies to deliver the best results.

Get Back to Life

Get Back to Life

Our goal is the same as yours—to help you restore your body to normal function so that you can go back to enjoying the life you deserve.