5 Strategies to Get Started in Functional Medicine

“We’re always going to be lifelong learners when we get into functional medicine. Curiosity is what brought us here,” says Meg McElroy, a physician assistant with a deep background in integrative medicine. Her journey began as a patient facing her own health struggles, which eventually fueled her passion for managing autoimmune conditions—not just for herself but for others as well. Meg’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, both for patients and practitioners.

 

In this episode, Meg joins me to explore the world of functional medicine training. Finding the right program can feel overwhelming since there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. We share valuable insights on how understanding your learning style and aligning with your professional goals can guide you toward the best choice. We also tackle the practical challenges of practicing functional medicine within insurance models versus cash-pay models.

 

Tune in for thoughtful reflections and actionable insights that will encourage you to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of integrative medicine with confidence and purpose.

 

Quotes

• “So much is built from community, and realizing you’re not alone and having your ability to be self-expressive in the kind of medicine you want to practice and deliver, whether it’s pulling from functional medicine or other holistic lifestyle medicine practices. It’s all a blend for each practitioner to deliver what they want, and finding that community is crucial.” (07:25 | Dr. Lara Salyer) 
• “Functional medicine is only as impactful as the practitioner can be efficiently and actionable in helping the patient understand.” (07:55 | Dr. Lara Salyer)
• “When I first got started in functional medicine, I was a part of practice where I’d say it was like test and treat everything. So, people would leave with three to five tests to do and maybe 10 supplements to take without having any data yet. And it works for some, but it’s not for everybody. Methodical is where you start with one thing at a time, even one supplement at a time.” (08:39 | Meg McElroy)
• “Taking charge of your health does require an investment, but it doesn’t need to be the investment that a lot of people associate with a functional medicine model.” (14:46 | Meg McElroy)
• “We’re always going to be lifelong learners when we get into functional medicine. Curiosity is what brought us into functional medicine.” (17:38 | Meg McElroy)

 

Links

Free Micropractice Assessment: https://3nb09zv7070.typeform.com/to/P56ItjWi?typeform-source=drlarasalyer.com

 

Connect with Meg McElroy:

Website: www.megmcelroy.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/functionalmedicinepa

Facebook Group: PAs/NPs in Functional/Integrative Medicine https://www.facebook.com/groups/2013000098937843/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megmcelroypa/

 

Connect with Lara: 

Website: https://drlarasalyer.com

The Catalyst Way: https://drlarasalyer.com/catalyst

Instagram: @drlarasalyer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drlarasalyer

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlarasalyer/

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLaraSalyer

TikTok: @Creativity.Doctor

 

 

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm