What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine takes a holistic approach to health by addressing the root causes of dysfunction in body systems, often focusing on reducing inflammation.
It starts by examining diet to identify sensitivities and promote gut health and balance.
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Consideration is given to life exposures such as toxins, nutritional deficiencies, stress levels, and sleep quality.
Movement preferences are explored to encourage regular physical activity
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Social connections and spiritual practices are recognized as integral to overall well-being.
Best of All...
It all starts with a free 60-minute introductory appointment so I can hear your entire story and make recommendations based on your complex, unique medical history alongside your primary care physician.
Functional medicine complements primary care treatments, offering a broader range of options with a personalized approach to improve health naturally, aiming to guide individuals toward their unique journey to wellness.
I know pain. And I know compassion.
I lived with intense chronic pain, myself, for decades. I developed rheumatoid arthritis at age 4; an incurable condition where the body attacks itself, causing dramatic joint swelling — and pain.
And when the pain was so bad that I would wake up in the middle of night, my father would massage my knees until I could fall back asleep — compassion.
It was that compassion that inspired me to become a physician.
Going to school and getting my bachelor's in biology made me fall in love with how the human body works and sparked the beginning of a lifelong pattern of searching for resources and information that I could use to help people...but life had other plans.
As my family grew, I chose a different path and got my master's degree in secondary education, which is where I learned to take complex subjects and boil them down to easy-to-understand lessons. This superpower is one I would grow to use every day as a family physician, and now, a functional medicine doctor.
Twenty years later, I decided it was time to pursue my calling. I completed residency in Family Medicine in Las Cruces, NM at age 60 and became a practicing family physician.
Then COVID19 hit, and I was seriously impacted. I developed Long Covid for four months that made it difficult for me to move or walk. And then, I discovered Functional Medicine and decided to take a holistic approach to my own healing. Within four weeks of trying an elimination diet, I could walk up and down stairs. After doing it for eight weeks, I could hike for four miles.
As a medical provider who has lived the difficulties of chronic disease myself, I am eager to bring the training of both Family and Functional Medicine to my patients to make a real difference in improving their lives. I am excited to become your Functional Medicine doctor who really listens to your concerns and partners with you to find solutions to improving your health.
Erika Walters, OT
Dr Drumm is one of kind …She is compassionate and creative with her teaching style. She really helped me to understand the science behind what the problem is and why to use targeted methods to balance the body so it can find health again. It really makes so much sense after going through her presentations. I see my body very differently than before I attended her classes! Whether you want to manage inflammation, chronic conditions, or get help with autoimmune issues, she’s got the knowledge and expertise to make a great impact toward healing.
Natasha James, MD
I had the privilege of attending several of Dr.Drumm’s functional medicine classes. I was blown away by her ability to distill complex disease processes into visually clear and easy to understand relevant information. (I joked that I should have had her teach me these topics in medical school). I now have a greater understanding of the importance of sleep and how gut health and stress affect my body and mind. The knowledge I gained was empowering. After putting several of her recommendations into practice, I have seen a dramatic difference in my overall health. I find her to be extremely knowledgeable and patient. Her holistic practice brings balance and optimizes my overall health care. Thank you Dr. Drumm!
Gloria Ruiloba
Choosing to take Dr. Drumm’s class on functional medicine and health choices was a great investment of my time. In the class I took with her, I learned much about how to start taking steps in a positive direction regarding food, supplements and the importance of physical and emotional rest. She was very patient and available to questions I had about certain foods and choices I was making. Her encouragement certainly helped me to stay the course in attending her class as I came away with new understanding. I was also very impressed with the attention she put in having charts as visuals to acquire a basic understanding of the anatomy and material she was explaining.I also appreciated her sensitivity to health issues and the encouragement she consistently gave to those in the class. As she shared her journey from illness to strong health and the steps she took and continues to, it encouraged me to practice the things we were learning.
Karen Braddock Marshall
After many doctor visits, medical searches, and quick fixes, I was overwhelmed and confused. Dr. Drumm’s medical background, compassion and wisdom about gut health and functional medicine helped me to be in control of my health. We were able to target the real causes of my pain, insomnia and weight issues. Dr. Drumm worked with me to understand the How's and Why's of my pain, sleepless nights and weight issues. With her continued support, my sleep has improved, my pain has lessened and I am not stuck just treating my symptoms. My energy has improved. My lifestyle is getting back to what I wanted. I feel 100% most days. Thank you, Dr. Drumm at Arise Functional Medicine for helping me understand the real me.
Our Specializations
At Arise Functional Medicine, we offer comprehensive, holistic care for a range of ailments alongside traditional medical care; all patients are required to have a separate primary healthcare provider.
Our approach acknowledges the role of spirituality, connection, diet, sleep, and exercise in well-being. Our specializations include:
A Special Note on Payment
I want my services to be as accessible to you as possible. Knowing that insurance programs generally do not pay for functional medicine, I do require payment in full at the time of service. However...
There is good news! Medicare has a form that can be submitted with the required information, and they sometimes cover a functional medicine visit at the same amount as a traditional medicine visit.
I will tell the you the name of the form and give you the required information to submit for reimbursement at whatever rate Medicare will pay. Most private insurance companies follow Medicare’s lead in reimbursement schedules. You will have to check with your private insurance to find out what they cover. I will give you the same information that I will provide for Medicare to maximize your reimbursement from your insurance company.
Functional Medicine Classes
Now available!
I want you to be able to take your health and wellness into your own hands, and I'm willing to share all my knowledge with you to make that possible.
These classes are for anyone who wants to learn more about Functional Medicine and healing — no license or degree required.
"True healing is about more than just addressing symptoms. It's about addressing the root cause of illness and promoting optimal well-being."
-Dr. Dawn Drumm