Ravenna – “For typical doctors, functional medicine just isn’t on their radar,” Dr. Bill Blueter, a certified functional medicine practitioner, explained. “Patients are in the habit of going to the doctor every few months, where they hear their labs look great, but they return home and still feel unwell.” Once people understand that through functional medicine, our approach is more of a partnership and less authoritarian, they’re willing to work with us to improve their health,” he explained.
Blueter, a chiropractor who is also certified in medical acupuncture, heads the team of professionals at the Revive Functional Medicine practice in Ravenna. He noted that patients generally find the practice through other Revive patients, through Google, and by referral through the Institute For Functional Medicine website (IFM.org). Blueter notes that there is no ‘typical patient’ since he’s seen patients from age two into the nineties. Almost half of his patients are Medicare-aged, and although Revive doesn’t accept health insurance plans, Blueter noted that the negotiated rates Revive receives mean that often, lab and test fees are often lower than patients typically pay through insurance companies. Dr. Blueter has practiced in Ravenna since 2004.
Blueter noted that many patients have gone to multiple doctors, but still feel unwell. The first step in the journey to better health is to call the office. You’ll speak to Health Coach Karen Burrows, Blueter explained, “to see if it’s a good fit” between the patient’s expectations and the practice’s expertise. Patients then complete a comprehensive questionnaire, which provides the patient’s health and family history, providing a more thorough picture of the patient with which the team uses to begin the healing process. After an initial meeting with Dr. Blueter, blood, urine, stool and saliva tests may be ordered. This practical approach uses advanced diagnostics to resolve underlying disease. He commented, “I make sure to explain what I order and afterward, explain what the results mean.” He noted that patients come away from that meeting with a wealth of information and a good understanding of the plan we’ll develop to improve their health.
One patient, Jena B., cited Dr. Blueter’s reputation as the reason she came to the practice, his ability to, “help people find the real cause behind health issues.” She noted, “the in-depth look into your genetics and blood work beyond what is normally done thru a primary care doctor,” as especially valuable, as well. “My new normal is what normal should have been all along these years,” she marveled. She shared that she’s referred several family members and friends since he’s helped her, and added, “You won’t find a more dedicated team for your health.”
Through the comprehensive process, Revive looks at everything In order to see the whole picture. Next, he and his team provide patients with education and the tools necessary to make life-long, empowered decisions that are simple and effective. Certified Exercise Physiologist Mariah Andrews creates an exercise program tailored to the patient’s age, health, and genetics. Stress Management Educator, Lynette Kreidler M.ED, LPCC is a holistic psychotherapist who works as a stress management educator and helps patients overcome issues and get back to health and happiness. The team creates an individualized plan for each patient. In addition, Revive holds small group classes on topics including Nutrition, Detoxification, Sleep, and Stress to help patients develop and maintain their healthy lifestyle.
Another patient, Bryan F., came to the practice to try and improve, weight, blood pressure, sleep, and overall health. He shared that his results: “significant weight control, better overall energy, reduced blood pressure and reduction in blood pressure medication.” He noted he’s still working on getting better sleep and wants to achieve a greater reduction in the blood pressure medication he’s taking. He explained, “It takes a decision to take an active part in your health, and the program provides the tools to do so.”
Blueter noted that through traditional medicine, medications are prescribed that suppress the body’s natural response without fixing the cause of the adverse condition. He explained that functional medicine aims to give the body the support it needs to address the root issue(s); he noted that conditions may also be co-managed with a patient’s general practitioner.
Dr. Blueter acknowledges that reducing stress is essential, since stress raises blood pressure, breaks down tissue and disrupts the restorative sleep cycle. Sleep is when the body heals, repairs, and creates essential hormones, so providing strategies to improve sleep greatly improve a patient’s health. Maintaining a healthy diet is also important. “Getting healthy,” Dr. Blueter explained, “is much more than just helping people overcome injuries. A healthy lifestyle can help people prevent injuries; and the healthier your body is, the easier it can combat and recover from illness.”
“Teaching our patients to manage their own health is our goal.” At the end of the process, he asks them, “Do you have this? Can you stick with this the rest of your life?” If the answer is yes, then the team has succeeded. “I give them a high five,” Blueter exclaimed, ”and tell them to check back with us in a year.” The transformation typically takes roughly eight months.
He noted that due to Covid-19, many people turned to comfort foods as mandatory quarantines took effect earlier this year, resulting in the addition of the ‘Quarantine 15’. Blueter noted, “That’s actually the opposite of what you need to do.” He went on to explain that as social isolation increases stress, combined with poor diet and inability to go to the gym, “there’s never been a more important time than now,” for people to take charge of their health. As the seventh month of a pandemic begins, Dr. Blueter and the team at Revive Functional Medicine are available to help patients effectively work through this unprecedented time.
Helping people perform at the top of their ability is more than just a job, as Dr. Blueter practices what he preaches in his own life, having competed in several endurance races, marathons, and triathlons. He and his wife share their healthy lifestyle with their son, as well. “I love helping my patients get healthy and stay healthy. It also forces me to practice what I preach,” he added. “It’s really rewarding,” Blueter noted.
Revive Functional Medicine is located at 6693 North Chestnut Street in Ravenna and can be reached at (330) 360-0028. For more information, visit revivefmc.com.
