Functional medicine determines HOW and WHY a disease develops and attempts to restore health by addressing the ROOT CAUSES for each individual. 

I start by viewing your medical history and symptoms through a slightly different perspective than your conventional doctor.  I organize your health story using the Functional Matrix, and this allows me to identify key areas of dysfunction and imbalance that can be corrected. 

Conventional medicine aims to categorize and label your symptoms as a diagnosis, in order to match it to a prescription or rehabilitive treatment.  Functional medicine goes upstream to look for causes for your problems and diminish inflammatory influences in your body. 

My goal is simple:  improve quality of life, diminish prescription burden, and teach you what you need to do to remain as healthy as possible. 

Excited to start?!  Wonderful!  Motivation is essential for success in any functional treatment plan.  However, the magic and synergy comes from our ability to partner together.  My style of teaching and delivery of medical care may not be a good fit for some people. 

This is why I request a 20-minute Strategy Session before enrolling you as a private patient.  The small fee for this phone call is donated to our local charities.

You can apply for a Strategy Session by filling out this form.

Functional medicine approaches a patient’s health through the lens of inflammation. We work together to identify and remove areas that fuel inflammation while we rebalance your physiologic biochemistry for optimum efficiency.

Most any diagnosis or condition can benefit from a functional holistic approach, but the following conditions are commonly treated at Health Innate:

• Stress and cortisol imbalances
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Chronic constipation
• Generalized Anxiety
• Depression
• Insulin resistance
• Overweight/obesity
• Circadian sleep disruptions
• Chronic fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches and migraines
• PCOS and menstrual irregularities
• Peri-menopause
• Mold/mycotoxin

The following services are NOT OFFERED at Health Innate:

• IV infusions
• Chelation
• Hormone pellets
• Dementia treatment
• Pediatric care (under age 8)

You might not be a good fit for this Functional Medicine Membership service if:

• You aren’t ready to prioritize your self-care yet
• You are disorganized in your time management and forget to make appointments
• You aren’t comfortable with using computers or communicating electronically
• You are currently in a mental health crisis and need consistent support
• You are looking for a solution that will prevent all future health issues
• You don’t live in Wisconsin or Illinois
• You’re unwilling to improve behaviors, habits, or thought patterns that are detrimental to overall health
• A family or friend told you to see a Functional Medicine doctor, but aren’t ready to change lifestyle routines, diet, habits, etc.
• You have a job or occupation that does not allow time for monthly 30 minute doctor appointments (minimum of 3 months).

“My symptoms are unbelievably improved in this short span of time.  My acid reflux is ZERO. My sleep is amazing. I start naturally getting tired towards the end of evening which is new for me!  I used to be the opposite and couldn’t wind down at night! I’m SO GLAD I signed up!”  — Happy 61 year old female, after rebalancing hormones and cortisol identified on specialty testing (DUTCH urine test).

“My restless legs are SO MUCH BETTER.  It’s like night and day. I can fall asleep and stay asleep!”  — Happy 38 year old male after correcting high cortisol and low DHEA detected on specialty testing (ZRT salivary test).

“I can’t believe it. I’ve had this for 20 years and I’ve tried a million things that didn’t work for my GI symptoms. After only 3 weeks of seeing Dr. Lara I feel SO much better.”  — Happy 42 year old male after completing a nourishing gut healing protocol to repair inflammation identified on specialty testing (GI MAP stool sample)

“That video explaining my labs was INCREDIBLY helpful! You have boosted my resolve to keep on! Thank you again for clarity and a renewed hope in a healthier me!”  — Happy 53 year old after watching her personalized video lab interpretation (included in all Active Membership) that explained how her fatigue and brain fog is from low mitochondrial function detected on Organic Acid Test (urine) 

“This is the first time in FOUR YEARS I haven’t had pneumonia. I usually have to miss a week of work every August when hay fever starts. But not this year!.” — Happy 47 year old female after rebuilding immune imbalances detected in her GI tract on specialty testing and addressing histamine overload

“I’m pretty annoyed at myself for not doing this sooner!”  — Happy 31 year old who successfully reversed her irritable bowel, bloating, weight gain, and moodiness after uncovering hidden hormonal imbalances and food sensitivities identified on specialty testing.

Read other testimonials here!

1. Try out one of my online courses for less than a dinner and movie!
2. Purchase the Basic Access Pass so you can join our weekly Open Office Hours and unlock all my content for free!
3. “Like” my Facebook Page  and follow me on Instagram where I talk about what functional medicine can do for your health.
4. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for useful content you can binge for DAYS!

As a physician who trained in both family practice and functional medicine, I can explain the labs you’ve already acquired with your primary care doctor in great detail.

If you need specialty functional testing to help reach your goals, I have contracted with some amazing companies (Doctor’s Data, Great Plains Laboratory, ZRT labs, RealTime, and Labrix) to provide Organic Amino Acid testing, Comprehensive Stool Evaluation, and salivary measurements of cortisol and hormones.  (These are just a few examples.) All of these tests are done in the comfort of your own home, with the convenience of FedEx shipping labels and containers.

I also have access to specialty labs that can order the same blood work offered through your primary care doctor at 1/5 the total cost.  You’ll simply get your blood drawn at our local Monroe/SSM Clinic Hospital and the kit will be sent by FedEx.

I help you clarify exactly which vitamins or supplements you need (or don’t need).  While much of your treatment momentum can be gained with customized instructions on food sources and lifestyle changes, many people require temporary (or long term) supplementation based on their unique genetic limitations, digestion inefficiencies, or micronutrient deficiencies.  In this case, I’ll provide you access to prescription quality supplements through my FullScript dispensary, where I have personally vetted companies that show the highest purity and 3rd party quality certification.

Since you are ordering them from my recommended prescription service, you will get discounted pricing from MRSP.  However, you should still budget $200-300 for the cost of supplements during the first few months of recovery.

No. 

Health Innate is an “insurance-free” zone!  This gives the greatest liberty to choose your best path to wellness without the restraint of red tape.  There’s no surprises, hidden costs, or worries about what might not be covered.  All prices are transparent. 

Many patients use their flex plan or HSA account to pay for services with me.  I will provide a properly coded ICD-10 visit worksheet and itemized bill so you can submit this for reimbursement.

No.

Your healthcare is a team effort, and Functional Medicine plays a different position on this “team.”  My mission is to educate you on your body’s signals and help you reach your goals as an ongoing consultant.  Typical results are achieved from 3-6 months of dedicated collaboration.

I require that all patients retain a primary care provider to handle ordering of important screening tests (like mammograms, colonoscopies, etc).  As a consultant, I do not provide urgent/same-day care that might require immediate assistance or hospitalization.  If permitted, I’ll happily communicate our findings to your PCP to provide a seamless approach to your overall healthcare.

AlphaStim™ cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) device delivers a natural level of microcurrent, via small clips worn on your earlobes, through the brain to stimulate and modulate specific groups of nerve cells. The microcurrent is tiny, just millionths of an ampere, and so gentle that most people don’t even feel it. The patented Alpha-Stim waveform, application, and protocols result in significant anxiety relief, mood normalization, and better sleep (both in quality and duration).

Treatments take only 20 minutes and you can use Alpha-Stim in the privacy of your own home or take it to work with you. The device is portable and the earclips are unobtrusive; you’ll look like you’re just listening to music.

Rental price is included in Deluxe membership, and available as an add-on trial for Active membership ($49/month).

Learn more about AlphaStim™ here.