What is functional health?
What is functional health?
What is Functional health?
What is functional health?
The Seven Dashboard Lights
Imagine your body has a ‘dashboard’, like a car. When you describe a symptom, we look behind the symptom to the system.
Energy
Structure
Communication
Transport
Assimilation
Elimination
Immune
Conventional medicine turns off the light (treats the symptom). Functional medicine goes ‘under the hood’ and fixes the system.
How we work
- We don’t just manage symptoms — we fix what’s driving them.
- Here’s what care looks like at UpStream:
- At every step, you’ll know where you stand and what’s next.
We listen
Extended initial visits where your story, history, and goals come first.
We test
Advanced labs and over 100 biomarkers to uncover hidden issues.
We map
Results are connected to your body's seven core systems, making the "dashboard lights" clear.
We plan
A step-by-step, personalized care plan you can actually follow.
We track
Progress is measured and adjusted as you go, so you can see real results.
- At every step, you’ll know where you stand and what’s next.
Why this matters
Conventional Care versus Functional Health
Focus
| Diagnoses and treats disease after it appears. | Looks for early signs of imbalance and fixes how the body works. |
Goal
| Control symptoms and slow disease. | Restore and improve everyday energy, recovery, and resilience. |
Approach
| Reactive — steps in when you’re already sick. | Proactive — works to keep you healthy and performing well. |
Role of Patient
| Follows doctor’s orders. | Becomes a partner in their own care. |
Tools Used
| Mostly drugs and procedures. | Combines lifestyle, nutrition, targeted therapies, and conventional tools when needed. |
Result Measured By
| Lower numbers on lab tests or fewer symptoms. | Better day-to-day function, more energy, less downtime. |
Frequently asked questions
Do you replace my primary care doctor?
You choose what fits you. Some members have an excellent relationship with their existing primary care doctor so we work to keep those doctors in the loop. Other members want us to handle all of their primary care, especially with the monthly membership option.
Is this alternative medicine?
No. Functional health is evidence-based medicine, practiced with more time and more extensive testing.
What kinds of conditions do you treat?
Visits are membership-based, not covered by insurance . We recommend keeping insurance for hospital and catastrophic care. High-deductible healthcare plans (HDHPs) with Health Savings Accounts (HSA) may be a less expensive option for you if you have membership of UpStream CONNECT™
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you replace my primary care doctor?
You choose what fits you. Some members have an excellent relationship with their existing primary care doctor so we work to keep those doctors in the loop. Other members want us to handle all of their primary care, especially with the monthly membership option.
Is this alternative medicine?
No. Functional health is evidence-based medicine, practiced with more time and more extensive testing.
What kinds of conditions do you treat?
Visits are membership-based, not covered by insurance . We recommend keeping insurance for hospital and catastrophic care. High-deductible healthcare plans (HDHPs) with Health Savings Accounts (HSA) may be a less expensive option for you if you have membership of UpStream Connect™
Frequently asked questions
Do you replace my primary care doctor?
You choose what fits you. Some members have an excellent relationship with their existing primary care doctor so we work to keep those doctors in the loop. Other members want us to handle all of their primary care, especially with the monthly membership option.
Is this alternative medicine?
No. Functional health is evidence-based medicine, practiced with more time and more extensive testing.
What kinds of conditions do you treat?
Visits are membership-based, not covered by insurance . We recommend keeping insurance for hospital and catastrophic care. High-deductible healthcare plans (HDHPs) with Health Savings Accounts (HSA) may be a less expensive option for you if you have membership of UpStream Connect™