Functional Medicine

About

Functional medicine treats the whole person, addressing the unique physical, mental, and emotional needs of each patient. I bring together the entire complement of modern scientific tools, including a deep understanding of biology, physiology, genetics, social and environmental determinants of health, and the vital connection between mental and physical well-being. It is this combination of focusing on individual patients and applying a multi-faceted treatment path that delivers transformational results.

Research has broadened our understanding of areas such as the gut-brain link and how our emotional health can affect our physical health- Functional medicine brings all this together and treats us as unique whole individuals.

It has long been known that lifestyle interventions are key to reducing chronic disease as sole interventions, i.e. exercise or diet alone. Now the first retrospective cohort study of the functional medicine model, Cleveland Clinic researchers found that functional medicine was associated with improvements in health-related quality of life. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open. This demonstrates the power of combining interventions and working in a personalised way with patient as the driver of change.

Our Approach

Before the first consultation, Dr Corcoran reviews each patient’s medical history, questionnaires, and any relevant reports. This allows the consultation to be focused and efficient. Appointments last 90 minutes and begin with a detailed clinical history, prioritising the patient’s narrative rather than a simple list of symptoms. Many patients have been unwell for a prolonged period, have consulted multiple clinicians, or have ongoing symptoms despite standard investigations being reported as normal. Others present with an established diagnosis but continue to experience impaired functioning. The consultation provides an opportunity to step back, consider the whole clinical picture, and identify the factors most likely contributing to current health concerns. From this, Dr Corcoran develops a comprehensive and highly individualised assessment and management plan.

Who can benefit from Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine can support children, adolescents, adults, and families whose health concerns are shaped by multiple factors rather than a single cause. It is particularly helpful where physical symptoms, emotional wellbeing, development, lifestyle, and family context are closely linked.

This may include ongoing fatigue, digestive difficulties, sleep problems, hormonal or metabolic concerns, mood or anxiety-related symptoms, stress-related health issues, and patterns of ill-health that feel complex or persistent. It can also be helpful for individuals with an established diagnosis who continue to experience symptoms that affect day-to-day functioning.

For children and families, functional medicine may be relevant where health concerns impact development, learning, behaviour, or family life. The approach considers how biological, environmental, lifestyle, and emotional factors interact, allowing care to be carefully tailored to the needs of the individual or family.