Betsy Shor is a functional medicine provider who also has over a decade of experience working as a physician assistant in primary care at Family Practice Group. She employs a unique combination of modalities in her work as a result of her diverse educational background: the most current advancements in the field of functional and nutritional medicine, traditional allopathic medicine when appropriate or requested, and emotional coaching using principles of positive psychology, behavior change science and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). The synergy of these approaches enables Betsy to help her patients not only know what to do, but also do what they know. She is able to help patients create profound and lasting health transformations by identifying and treating the root cause of their physical or emotional unwellness and then helping them become actionable with high-level solution oriented coaching and accountability. She is able to synthesize all of the elements that contribute to the root cause of her patients' disease and approach it adeptly from both the medical and psychological angles. Betsy is very medically progressive, open-minded, and happy to collaborate with your care team (PCP, specialists, therapist, and family members).


On a personal level, Betsy invests a tremendous amount of energy in her own health and hopes to infuse others with the same zest for self-care. In her free time she enjoys running with her dog on the Charles River, hiking with her husband, spending time with her 2 delightful daughters, and cycling (a passion which started at age 15 when she rode her bike 4000 miles across the United States).



WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE:
Functional medicine is a highly individualized approach to healthcare that uses advanced testing not offered by the traditional medical community to identify and treat the root cause of disease rather than treating the presenting symptoms. It is based on systems biology, which emphasizes the connectedness of all body systems, and means that illness that presents in one part of the body is often caused by a problem elsewhere in the body. For example, eczema and psoriasis are often caused by IgG/IgA food sensitivities and microbiome imbalances and Restless Leg Syndrome is often caused by intestinal parasites. Functional medicine practitioners look upstream to evaluate and treat the complex web of genetics, physiology, environmental exposures, diet, lifestyle, emotional state, and medical history that lead to illness. It can also be used preventatively to optimize health and create lasting wellness.

TYPES OF CONDITIONS TREATED: (not a comprehensive list):
- GI: IBS, IBD (Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis), reflux, diverticulitis, food sensitivities, SIBO
- Cardiometabolic: diabetes and prediabetes, high cholesterol, heart attack prevention and risk stratification, fatty liver, hypertension
- Derm: acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, Raynaud’s, alopecia, vitiligo, hives
- Neurologic: headaches, migraines, Restless Leg Syndrome, neuropathy, cognitive decline, ADD/ADHD
- Psychological: depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia
- Pulmonary: asthma, chronic cough
- ENT: recurrent sinusitis, tinnitus, sleep apnea
- Endocrine/Hormonal: thyroid disease, adrenal disorders, menopause/andropause, PMS/PMDD
-Rheumatologic: autoimmune disease (Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Hashimoto’s, etc), chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, viral reactivation syndromes (EBV, CMV, etc)

TESTING:
Betsy uses all of the diagnostic lab testing and imaging modalities employed by the traditional system plus many advanced functional tests that are not typically offered by traditional clinicians that include: microbiome and digestive analysis, advanced cardiometabolic risk stratification, micronutrient status, mitochondrial functioning, mold exposure, heavy metal toxicity, occult tick borne illnesses, neurotransmitter levels, chronic viral infections, advanced hormone testing, etc.

TREATMENT:
To best treat the root cause of disease, Betsy uses a combination of traditional medications, naturopathic supplements/herbs, diet and lifestyle changes, and emotional coaching to heal and reverse disease.