About Xenia
Ready to learn about the root cause of your symptoms and fix them?
Functional medicine is the answer!
Let me introduce myself:
Want to uncover the cause of your symptoms, but not sure what to do next?
Hi! My name is Xenia. I am a board certified nurse practitioner (NP) specializing in functional medicine. I practice in Austin, Texas and serve virtually the entire State of Texas.
As a dedicated functional medicine provider in Austin, Texas, my journey began in primary care, where I grew frustrated by the limitations of conventional medicine in truly helping my patients overcome chronic symptoms. My own struggles with unexplained skin issues for over five years — which no dermatologist could ever diagnose or resolve — led me to explore functional medicine as a way to improve my health and my ultimately my patient's health. After discovering that mold illness was the root cause of my condition, I became a mold-certified provider. I recognized how common mold illness is and was determined to help others facing similar hidden health challenges. Now, through a root-cause, whole-body approach, I specialize in uncovering and treating underlying imbalances that impact both physical and mental well-being, empowering my patients to reclaim their health.
During my medical journey, I discovered a passion for functional medicine and helping patients to reach optimal health through holistic and alternative pathways. I truly enjoy digging deep to find root causes of chronic illnesses. I practice a whole-body approach, and incorporate diet, lifestyle, and nutraceuticals in addition to pharmaceuticals when needed.
I graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor's degree in nursing and went on to receive my graduate degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. I also completed courses in psychopharmacology and neurobiology at the University of Texas at Tyler.
I have been trained in functional medicine at the Institute for Functional Medicine.
Serving clients in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and across Texas via virtual functional medicine visits.
About Functional Medicine
What is functional medicine?
Functional medicine is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms.
Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic diseases. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual. Xenia, trained by the Institute of Functional Medicine, is a functional medicine nurse practitioner, who can help you get to the root causes of your symptoms.
Why Do We Need Functional Medicine?
Our society is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of people who suffer from complex, chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, dementia, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, and troublesome conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.The treatment that patients receive for these and other chronic conditions is often inadequate. This is due, in part, to:
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Focus on acute care
The system of medicine practiced by most physicians is oriented toward acute care—the diagnosis and treatment of trauma or illness that is of short duration and in need of urgent care, such as appendicitis or a broken leg. The acute-care approach to medicine lacks the proper methods and tools to prevent and treat complex, chronic diseases.
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Gap between research and practice
The way many doctors practice isn’t up-to-date with new research. The gap between emerging research in the basic sciences and its use in medical practice is enormous—a few decades or more—particularly in the area of complex, chronic illness.
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Shortfalls in training
Most physicians are not adequately trained to assess the underlying causes of complex, chronic disease and to apply strategies such as nutrition, diet, and exercise to both treat and prevent these illnesses in their patients.
How Is Functional Medicine Different?
Functional medicine involves understanding the origins, prevention, and treatment of complex, chronic diseases. Hallmarks of a functional medicine approach include:
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Patient-centered care
The focus of functional medicine is on patient-centered care, promoting health as a positive vitality, beyond just the absence of disease.
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An integrative, science-based healthcare approach
Functional medicine practitioners look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each patient is considered, along with both internal (mind, body, and spirit) and external (physical and social environment) factors that affect total functioning. Allow Xenia, a functional medicine provider, to help you on jour wellness journey.
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A combination of best medical practices
Functional medicine integrates traditional Western medical practices with what are sometimes considered “alternative” or “integrative” medicine, creating a focus on prevention through nutrition, diet, and exercise; use of the latest laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques; and prescribed combinations of drugs and/or botanical medicines, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, or stress-management techniques.