Functional Medicine in Saint Paul Minnesota: Restoring Health by Finding Root Causes
By Dr. Shannon O’Keefe, DC, DCBCN, Functional Medicine Practitioner at O’Keefe Matz Functional Health Clinic in Saint Paul
What Is Functional Medicine and Why It Matters
Functional medicine is a systems based, root cause approach to health care. Rather than simply naming a disease and prescribing a drug, functional medicine seeks to understand how lifestyle, genetics, environment, gut health, toxins, and internal regulation interact in each unique person.
As Dr. Mark Hyman explains:
“Functional medicine provides a framework for how to create health, not simply treat symptoms or diseases.”
(Dr. Hyman)The goal is not to suppress symptoms. The goal is to create resilient systems that allow long term vitality and improved quality of life.
Voices in Functional Medicine: Wisdom from Leading Practitioners
Functional medicine has grown into a worldwide movement thanks to thought leaders who emphasize healing the whole person rather than chasing symptoms. Here are some of the insights they share.
Dr. Mark Hyman, MD
“We must learn to treat the person, not the disease; the system, not just the symptoms.”
(Goodreads). Hyman reminds us that the key to health is shifting the focus away from individual labels and toward the larger interconnected systems in the body.Dr. Will Cole, DC
“Problems with the gut, such as yeast or bacterial overgrowth, often present themselves in the form of mood swings, anxiety, and persistent food cravings. When a patient comes in with any of these brain issues, the gut is the first thing I look at.”
(Gut Feelings, Goodreads) Cole highlights the powerful connection between the gut and the brain, showing how digestive imbalances can ripple outward into mental and emotional health.
Another of his well known reminders applies to both health and life:
“Quit watering people who don’t want to grow.”
(The CPD Diary)Dr. Amy Myers, MD
“It’s a systems based approach, and it really gets down to the root of what’s going on with you.”
Dr. Shannon O’Keefe, DC, DCBCN
(NeuFit Podcast) Myers emphasizes that functional medicine works because it looks at the whole system, not just isolated symptoms, helping patients uncover the real reasons for their struggles.
“True healing begins when we stop chasing symptoms and start listening to the body’s story. Every patient has a unique path, and functional medicine helps us uncover it step by step.”
O’Keefe Matz Functional Health Clinic, Saint Paul
Dr. O’Keefe’s philosophy blends deep scientific investigation with genuine compassion. She is known for her detailed functional assessments, her expertise in nutrition and internal medicine, and her personalized treatment plans that go far beyond a one size fits all model. Patients often describe her care as both thorough and comforting, a combination that allows them to feel heard and truly supported.Dr. Frank Lipman, MD
“Sugar is poison. … Foods that are altered in factories tend to cause problems in our bodies.”
(Quoted in an Amy Myers MD article) Lipman reminds us that what we eat is fundamental to how we feel, and that choosing whole, unprocessed foods is often the first step toward recovery.Together, these voices highlight a common philosophy. True health comes from treating root causes, supporting gut health, calming inflammation, and viewing the body as one interconnected system.
Why Functional Medicine Matters for Fatigue
One of the most common reasons patients seek functional medicine in Saint Paul is unresolved fatigue. Fatigue is more than simply being tired. It is the body’s way of signaling that something deeper is not functioning properly. Chronic fatigue may stem from inflammation, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, gut health problems, or even mitochondrial breakdown.
As Dr. Hyman notes:
“Fatigue is not a diagnosis. It’s a symptom with many possible causes, and the key is to find the underlying imbalance in the system.”
(Dr. Hyman)
Functional Medicine Testing for Fatigue
At O’Keefe Matz Functional Health Clinic in Saint Paul, we go far beyond standard labs to uncover the true drivers of fatigue. Our comprehensive evaluation may include:
Comprehensive blood panel including CBC, metabolic panel, thyroid hormones (TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3), vitamin D, ferritin, iron studies, B12, folate, magnesium, zinc, CRP, homocysteine, and ESR
Advanced thyroid evaluation with a full thyroid antibody panel to screen for autoimmune thyroid disease such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’
Metabolic and nutrient testing such as the Organic Acids Test to assess mitochondrial efficiency, B vitamin metabolism, detox pathways, and gut byproducts
Adrenal and stress hormone testing with cortisol rhythm and DHEA evaluation for adrenal fatigue or HPA axis dysfunction
Digestive and microbiome assessment through GI mapping for infections, dysbiosis, leaky gut, and inflammatory gut markers
Toxin and heavy metal evaluation to check for mold exposure, environmental toxins, or heavy metals that drain cellular energy
Comprehensive hormonal testing of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol balance, all of which influence sleep, mood, and energy production
This in depth assessment gives us the roadmap to design a plan that is specific to each patient’s biology.
How We Treat Functional Medicine Conditions in Saint Paul
Once we uncover the underlying patterns, we create a personalized care plan that integrates functional medicine with advanced therapeutic tools.
Comprehensive diagnostic examination and labs: Every plan begins with a detailed history, physical examination, and advanced laboratory testing. This allows us to map out the underlying biochemistry of your unique physiology so treatment is designed specifically for you.
Nutrition as medicine: Anti inflammatory and whole food plans that restore nutrient reserves and stabilize blood sugar
Targeted supplementation: Nutrients such as magnesium, CoQ10, NAD precursors, alpha lipoic acid, and adaptogenic herbs, all chosen based on your specific lab results
Neurofeedback: Brainwave training to improve focus, calm the nervous system, and reduce the mental fatigue that so often accompanies physical exhaustion
Frequency Specific Microcurrent: Gentle currents tuned to specific frequencies to reduce inflammation, repair tissues, and reset autonomic nervous system balance
Acupuncture: Rooted in traditional medicine and supported by modern research, acupuncture helps restore balance, improve sleep, and reduce the burden of stress on the body
Lifestyle medicine: Sleep optimization, pacing strategies, mindful movement, and reducing environmental triggers such as mold or chemicals
This comprehensive approach ensures patients are supported at every level, from mitochondria and hormones to brain and nervous system balance.
A Quiet Place for Healing and Renewal
At O’Keefe Matz Functional Health Clinic, we believe healing happens best in a calm and supportive environment. Our clinic is not rushed or impersonal. Instead, it is quiet, welcoming, and designed to give you the time and space you need to be truly heard.
We take pride in offering a place where you can step away from the noise and stress of daily life and focus fully on your health. Patients often tell us that from the moment they walk through our doors, they feel cared for in a way they have never experienced before.
Our team combines advanced functional medicine, gentle hands on therapies, and state of the art treatments such as neurofeedback, Frequency Specific Microcurrent, and acupuncture. Just as important, we combine this with kindness, careful listening, and deep respect for each person’s healing journey.
If you are struggling with chronic fatigue or feeling like your energy will never return, we want you to know that there is hope. With the right guidance and support, your body can begin to heal, and your vitality can be restored.
At O’Keefe Matz, we are honored to walk beside you on this path. Together, we can uncover the root causes of your fatigue, calm and rebalance your system, and help you reclaim the energy and quality of life you deserve.
