The Whole-Health Puzzle

What Is Functional Medicine? Functional medicine is a holistic approach to health
care that focuses on identifying and treating the root causes of illness and prevent-ing them from returning. In the following interview, Dr. Wayne Tompkins helps define a functional medicine approach to health
and healing.

Amanda: What brings you to the St. George area?

Dr. Tompkins: The beautiful climate and dry air. For eighteen years, I had a thriving functional medicine practice in Branson, Missouri, where I offered chiropractic care, acupuncture, and allergy elimination. I helped people with high blood pressure, digestive issues, and hormonal health. My family and I left Branson after I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, Bartonella, and Babesia, which are common due to the tick population there. I needed a drier climate, and St. George was the perfect place for us. 

 Amanda: Can you tell us more about being a functional medicine practitioner?

Dr. Tompkins: I’ve practiced functional medicine for about five years. While I truly appreciate what conventional medicine can do, like saving my daughter from asthma attacks and me from anaphylaxis, I believe it follows a “sickness model.” It helps people feel average. A lot of conventional blood work is based on population averages, but functional medicine focuses on what’s optimal.

 Amanda: I love that! Can you describe what someone who wants to feel optimal might expect as a patient of yours?

 Dr. Tompkins: The first step is a thorough, head-to-toe initial consultation, from headaches and dental work to circulation issues in the feet. Then, we order specialized lab panels tailored to the individual. Sometimes, it’s a stool sample or an allergy panel for food, mold, or pollen. Other times, it’s metabolic testing for blood pressure, blood sugar, or heart health.

Once we have the results, we create a personalized plan of action. It usually includes a nutritional component, an anti-inflammatory approach, and acupuncture.

 Acupuncture is a centuries-old healing method that helps the body correct deficiencies. It can halve the healing time of a broken bone, turn a breech baby, regulate hormones, and improve fertility.

We also use allergy elimination techniques. Many allergies are rooted in emotions—not all, but many—so any treatment must consider that component. It can help with sensitivities to gluten, dairy, common foods, and pollen. In Branson, it was ragweed; here, it’s things like sage. I’ve also worked with a number of autistic children. It’s very rewarding work!

 Amanda: You mentioned that you combine acupuncture and nutritional therapy. Do you also recommend the NAET (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques) method for your patients?

 Dr. Tompkins: Many times, yes. I’m also looking forward to working with you on homeopathic consulting. I’ve found that people respond very well to homeopathy. It’s easier on digestion and often more affordable than herbs and supplements.

 Regarding NAET, its benefits go beyond allergy elimination. It can improve nutrient absorption. For example, I had a patient who had to take four capsules of magnesium every night to have a bowel movement the next morning. After clearing her system, she no longer needed to supplement.

 Amanda: Helping people absorb their nutrients more effectively and efficiently makes such a difference! We’re really excited to welcome you to the Elemental Health team! Are you currently accepting new patients?

 Dr. Tompkins: Yes! I’m thrilled to be part of the St. George community and have already received a warm welcome. I specialize in digestive and hormonal health, and I have had great success helping patients with stress management.

 Amanda: We’re glad you’re here helping St. George feel optimal, not average!

 Why Feel Average When You Can Feel Optimal?
We all want the best results possible from any therapy we pursue. Functional medicine may be a path worth considering.

Functional medicine doctor Wayne Tompkins, DC, is a twenty-year practitioner specializing in modalities such as NAET and acupuncture. He is currently accepting new patients. Call Elemental Health at 435-414-7223 to schedule an appointment.

Amanda Kotter is a homeopathy consultant, nutritionist, and bioresonance practitioner. She and her son Lance own and operate Elemental Health in St. George, Utah.