top of page
Search

Kansas Functional Medicine Practice Aims To Bring Notoriously High-Brow Fix To the Masses

  • RootRes1
  • Oct 6, 2024
  • 3 min read

Inspired by her daughter's struggles with an autoimmune disorder at the age of 4, Doris Crowell-Smith studied to become a functional medicine health coach and launched her very own clinic: Affordable Integrative Functional Medicine, in Emporia, KS, population 24,000. She is now on a mission to bring this "root cause," holistic approach to her community— and perhaps beyond.


Born and raised in Emporia, Crowell-Smith pursued a psychology degree at the University of Kansas, but her passion shifted after witnessing firsthand the limitations of conventional medicine.

“I was already on the path of exploring alternatives to traditional methods,” she explained. “But my daughter’s diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder at age four solidified my direction.”

At the time, her daughter’s doctors recommended an aggressive treatment involving low-dose chemotherapy to suppress the immune system.


“I couldn’t accept that,” Crowell-Smith said. “There had to be another way. That’s when I dove deeper into natural medicine, eventually discovering functional medicine.”


Functional medicine is a holistic approach focused on finding and addressing the root causes of health issues.


“Conventional medicine often focuses on symptoms,” she said. “Functional medicine digs deeper— whether it’s a thyroid issue or an autoimmune condition, we ask why the body is malfunctioning and work to correct it.”


Crowell-Smith’s approach to treatment begins with comprehensive testing that goes beyond traditional methods. For example, instead of just measuring thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), she examines the entire thyroid process, looking at how the liver and gut influence hormone conversion.


Follow this link to Dr. Mark Hyman's 2021 video podcast, in conversation with one of his clinical colleagues at their Lenox, MA-based UltraWellness Center, on what a functional medicine approach to autoimmune hypothyroidism (aka Hashimoto's thyroiditis) might look like.


“There’s a big difference between masking symptoms and truly understanding what’s going on,” she said.


This passion for finding the root cause has extended beyond physical ailments. Crowell-Smith also sees functional medicine as a key to addressing mental health issues.


“Anxiety, depression, even ADHD— these are often treated with medications that do nothing to address the underlying imbalances,” she said. “With functional medicine, I can actually test neurotransmitter levels and work on balancing them naturally.”


[Follow this link to read about ZRT Laboratory innovative approach to neurotransmitter testing and this link for their "Nuts & Bolts of Neurotransmitter Testing" video, geared to practitioners.]


Her own journey toward becoming a practitioner involved extensive training in multiple medical programs, including certifications from the Integrative Health Practitioner Institute [to train to become a health coach, link here] and the American Academy of Functional Medicine [link here]. She wants to work collaboratively with local physicians to help find solutions for patients who are struggling with their health.


“I live and breathe this every day,” she said. “I have the knowledge and experience to help people, and I want to be a resource for the community.”

Though she had the opportunity to obtain a state license, Crowell-Smith chose not to pursue it, which allows her to assist clients from around the world.


“By not being tied to a specific state, I can send labs and work with patients wherever they are,” she said. “It’s really about making healthcare accessible to as many people as possible.”

For those seeking her care, initial appointments will focus on gathering a comprehensive health history and determining what testing is needed. Crowell-Smith emphasizes the importance of education in her practice.


“I spend a lot of time with each patient, explaining why they’re feeling the way they are and what we can do about it,” she said. “It’s a process, but it’s one that’s aimed at long-term health and healing.”


Crowell-Smith hopes to bring a fresh perspective on health to Emporia, offering an alternative for those looking for answers beyond conventional medicine. [link to her Facebook page here]


ZRT neurotransmitters profile test

“I want to help people feel their best and understand the ‘why’ behind their health issues,” she said. “When we understand what’s really going on, we can truly start to heal.”


Go, Doris!

 
 
 

Comments


bottom of page