Fort Mill medical practice focuses on ‘functional medicine’

A yoga studio and exercise classes are not typical finds in most doctors’ offices, but then again the Holistic Wellness Center of the Carolinas in Fort Mill is not a conventional treatment center.

The center uses a method based on “functional medicine” that aims to address the underlying causes of diseases and disorders through looking at a person’s genetics, lifestyles and environmental factors that may contribute to their condition, said Caitlyn Boyle, clinic director.

“It’s about helping people resolve the underlying cause, not just put a Band-Aid on the problem,” she said.

The center’s practitioners are alternative medical doctors who do not prescribe medication, Boyle said. Dr. Kristien Boyle, D.O.M., founder of the center, is a board-certified herbalist and acupuncturist. Dr. Jeffrey Matz, D.C., is a board-certified chiropractic physician. Both contribute to the individualized care offered to each of the center’s clients, she said.

“Every single thing we do at the clinic is highly customized,” Boyle said.

“No two bodies are alike, so it is extremely important that we approach care in a thoughtful and individualized way.”

Examining the factors contributing to a person’s disease helps the center tailor plans of action that do not focus on the use of symptom-reducing medication, Boyle said.

“Understanding the root cause of a person’s disease means that you can address those underlying problems, instead of just tackling the symptoms that the problem creates,” she said.

While conventional medicine may treat conditions such as autoimmune disorders by suppressing the immune system, the holistic approach uses information about a person’s lifestyle, such as stress, dietary factors and sleep habits, to get a picture of what may be causing the disease, Kristien said.

“Until we look at why they feel the way they do, we can’t help the patient feel better,” he said.

“When they understand their condition more, they can become more empowered to make educated decisions themselves on what they can be doing on a day to day basis to manage their condition.”

The Center, which has been operating in the Charlotte area for six years, held its grand re-opening in Fort Mill on Jan. 4 celebrating an office designed to meet its approach, Boyle said. The office features a classroom where clients attend an eight-session education series on issues such as lifelong nutrition, detox diets, mindfulness, understanding blood work basics and minimizing exposure to chemicals in beauty and cleaning products.

“We’re really big on educating people and helping them become independent,” she said.

“We want to give people the tools to be healthy.”

The center also added yoga, therapeutic art and exercise classes on-site to help patients gain new skills and combat stress, Boyle said.

“It’s really hard to teach people how to manage their stress because stress is everywhere,” she said. “It’s a thing you have to constantly fight against.”

Also on-site is an infrared sauna, treatment rooms, chiropractic care and acupuncture and a lending library with self-help books and other resources, Boyle said.

“It’s a really different place and helps people in lots of ways,” she said.

Since the center is focused on a person’s whole self, appointments run much longer than in a conventional model, Boyle said. This allows the practitioners to help the client address the problems contributing to their condition through dietary and other lifestyle adjustments as well as specific treatments.

“It’s about letting the body do what it’s good at, which is returning to function,” she said.

The center also forms a deep connection with its clients, Boyle said.

“We want to understand a person’s ‘why’ – why they want to get healthy, whether it’s so they can really play with their grandkids or so they can perform better at work,” she said. “If you understand people’s goals and dreams, you can truly help.”

The Holistic Wellness Center sees a range of clients of all different ages, from those with preventable diseases like diabetes, to those with autoimmune disorders and other chronic conditions, Boyle said.

“We began as a small, family-owned practice and have absolutely loved to see interest in holistic wellness grow by leaps and bounds over the years,” she said.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 3:09 PM with the headline "Fort Mill medical practice focuses on ‘functional medicine’."