On average, our clients begin to see meaningful results 4-6 weeks after their second call (when their test results are in, explained to them, and they implement their customized protocol).

However, there are usually recommendations we can provide on your onboarding call to help you get more immediate relief for the major gut symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and reflux, before we even know their cause. 

Functional health is a system-wide biology approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease (before or after a diagnosis).

Functional health relies on data from both a) advanced lab tests (often only used in conventional medicine after a diagnosis) and b) functional lab tests (that conventional medicine has yet to incorporate at all). Theses test results provide insight into both what's in the body (antibodies, bacteria, fungus, etc) and how well various systems are working (tissue health, metabolic processes, endocrine functions, and so much more) .

This data can be used to monitor healthy individuals, to optimize health when there are early symptoms, to heal when there is no diagnosis, and to reverse or manage symptoms in those with a diagnosis.

The functional health approach is to support or improve the systems in the body that may be struggling and causing your symptoms. This is the opposite of conventional medicine which relies on pharmacology to manage the symptom instead of eliminate the causes of the symptom.

Acumen believes conventional medicine is wonderful in emergencies and often for late stage disease management, but for those who want to improve their health to avoid disease or diagnosis, conventional medicine falls short.

At Acumen, everytime we are able to help someone heal their symptoms or catch disease markers early and reverse their trend, we know we are doing important work that still needs its day in the spotlight. We hope to bring functional medicine to the masses. 

A functional health practitioner is trained in functional health and functional lab testing. There are various certifications one may achieve, and advanced classes that must be taken annually to maintain these certifications.

Acumen offers a network of functional health practitioners that have both broad and deep knowledge of both general and organ specific functional health. Our practitioners have spent years studying the gut (really the mucosal lining which spans from your nose to your anus), hormones, thyroid, energy and mitochondria, biochemical pathways (this includes methylation), blood sugar and diabetes, herbs, the heart, and more.

Our practitioner network includes nutritionists, acupuncturists, and even your classic MDs and DOs. Most of us have spent so many years in functional health because it was the only thing that helped us heal our own symptoms when no doctor could — or when we kept being told “your labs look normal.” Our team frequently consults each other to see if there are any additional ideas or recommendations we can provide you. We are committed to running down every clue your symptoms and labs offer to help you achieve the greatest level of health improvement while you work with us.

We understand everyone comes from a different path in life, and we include in our mission ways to help you make the adjustments you need to while still living as close to the ways you seek. We know the high-stress CEO doesn’t want to give up his job, and that the busy soccer parent doesn’t want to miss a game. We’ll always try to meet you where you’re at. And for those who do want to make a big change, like quitting smoking or late night snacking, to see big shifts in their labs and wellbeing, we’re ready to help you manage that adjustment too!

Health practitioners do not diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition. The recommendations Acumen clients receive is not intended to substitute for the advice, treatment or diagnosis of a qualified licensed physician. Please do not substitute a functional health practitioner for your personal physician’s care. Functional health practitioners partner with their clients to provide ongoing support and accountability in an opt-in model of self-care and should be done under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Yes, we provide functional health in a coaching capacity, and so we are able to work with clients in all 50 states.

Yes. Shipping times will be what they may (to get you your test kits) but we are happy to work with you. We ask that you speak fluent English so there is no miscommunication — your health is too important!

No. We are focused on creating a great experience for you.

With us, you know what you are getting with each payment and we are 100% focused on you and supporting your health, not administrative work.

On another note, we believe you are in charge of your health and there's a reason you're here right now considering something outside the conventional health industry.

We do hope to become HSA / FSA eligible down the road to provide you cost savings as you continue to monitor and improve your health in the future.

Not now, but hopefully soon.

We really appreciate seeing a recent (<6 month) CBC and CMP (complete blood count and comprehensive metabolic panel). If you don't have these, we're happy to help you get them (usually without a doctor's visit in most states).

Because you're coming to us with gut issues, we'll always provide you with a stool test, and depending on your symptoms, various saliva and urine tests, too. Sometimes we will discuss a test that require a blood draw. 

Yes! We will happily review any labs you want to provide, as far back as you'd like, complimentary. This includes classic bloodwork, functional labs, and even things like wearable data.

We will always request you complete at least one functional lab with us (a stool sample), and you are welcome to use the rest of the test budget in your package by the last date of your package. However, we usually prefer to use your test budget during your onboarding call so we can interpret your results for you during your second call.

We work with children on a case-by-case basis. We haven't said no to a case yet, but do like to make sure we believe we're able to help in an appropriate timeframe. Please contact us below and share their age, any diagnosed health conditions, as many symptoms as you can recall (gut oriented or not), and what you've already tried. We'll be in touch asap.