Gut health support with Functional Medicine Services in West Des Moines, IA at Ashworth Chiropractic

Functional Medicine

  • Gut Health

  • Allergy Management

  • Bone Health

  • Skin Health

  • Auto-Immune Conditions

  • Male Health and Hormone Balance

  • Longevity

  • Weight Management

  • Sports Performance

Functional Medicine FAQ

At your initial Functional Medicine consultation at Ashworth Chiropractic in West Des Moines, IA, your practitioner will take time to understand your full health background, talk through your daily routines and nutrition habits, and may suggest targeted lab testing to identify underlying imbalances.

This comprehensive evaluation helps us identify underlying patterns and craft a personalized Functional Medicine treatment plan designed for your long-term wellness.

Results vary depending on your condition and overall health. Some patients begin to feel better within a few weeks, while others may need several months to notice major improvements.

At Ashworth Chiropractic, we emphasize steady, lasting progress—not quick fixes—so your body can heal naturally and maintain results over time.

Yes. Functional Medicine is considered a safe, evidence-based approach that focuses on natural treatments and sustainable lifestyle adjustments rather than symptom suppression.

Our licensed practitioners ensure that every plan complements your existing medical care, so your overall health is supported safely and effectively.

Not necessarily. Functional Medicine encourages manageable, realistic changes in areas like nutrition, movement, and stress management.

Your practitioner will personalize recommendations based on your current habits, introducing adjustments gradually to make them sustainable and effective over the long term.

Absolutely. Functional Medicine often works best alongside conventional medicine.

Our practitioners coordinate with your other healthcare professionals to align your Functional Medicine plan with any ongoing treatments, providing a unified, patient-centered approach to your care.

At Ashworth Chiropractic in West Des Moines, we understand that everyone’s health journey is unique.

Your Functional Medicine treatment plan is customized around your specific health concerns, genetics, and daily habits.

By addressing the root causes behind your condition, we help restore balance and promote long-term wellness tailored just for you.

Functional Medicine Fees

Visit our office in West Des Moines for an appointment. We offer consultations at different timeframes to meet your needs.

  • 60 Min: New Consultation (labs not included): $150
  • 20 Min: Outside Lab Interpretation (with Action Plan): $75
  • 30 Min: Follow Up Consultation (revisit/revise Action Plan): $75

At Ashworth Chiropractic, our Functional Medicine services help uncover and treat the root causes of ongoing health issues—not just the symptoms.

Whether you’re dealing with fatigue, digestive concerns, chronic pain, or autoimmune conditions, our team combines advanced lab testing, nutrition guidance, and personalized care to restore balance naturally.

We take time to understand your body, coordinate with our chiropractic and rehab specialists when needed, and create a clear plan that helps you feel better for good.

Ready to start? Schedule your Functional Medicine consultation today and take the first step toward lasting wellness.

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional Medicine examines how your body’s systems interact and influence one another, focusing on restoring overall function instead of addressing symptoms separately.

Picture an iceberg: what you notice on the surface, like low energy, joint pain, or digestive discomfort, is only part of the story. Beneath it are hidden drivers such as hormone imbalance, poor gut health, inflammation, or nutritional deficiencies.

At Ashworth Chiropractic in West Des Moines, our practitioners connect these patterns using lab insights and lifestyle analysis to design care that restores balance from the inside out.

It’s a science-based approach to long-term health, not another temporary fix.

Why is Functional Medicine Important?

If your symptoms are just the tip of the iceberg, wouldn’t it make sense to focus on what’s underneath? Instead of just managing symptoms, Functional Medicine helps your body restore balance for long-term wellness.

Functional Medicine takes a comprehensive approach to healing, focusing on two key principles:

  • Support your body’s natural ability to heal – Instead of masking symptoms, Functional Medicine finds what’s missing—whether it’s key nutrients, hormonal balance, or gut health—so your body can function at its best.
  • Remove what’s holding you back – Chronic stress, toxins, poor diet, and inflammation can block your body’s ability to heal. Functional Medicine identifies and eliminates these obstacles to restore lasting wellness.

At Ashworth Chiropractic in West Des Moines, we focus on helping you feel better for good—not just temporarily.

How Does Functional Medicine Work?

Functional Medicine focuses on understanding why your body isn’t functioning at its best.

At Ashworth Chiropractic in West Des Moines, IA, our practitioners use a structured, step-by-step process to uncover and correct imbalances affecting your health:

  • Comprehensive lab testing: Reveals nutritional, hormonal, or metabolic factors behind your symptoms.

  • One-on-one assessments: Explore your full health history, lifestyle, and stress patterns to identify hidden triggers.
  • Targeted wellness plan: Combines nutrition guidance, lifestyle strategies, and natural supplements to rebalance your system.
  • Collaborative treatment: Integrates conventional medicine or chiropractic care when it supports your recovery.

This holistic process helps you understand your body, make informed choices, and move toward lasting wellness—not just symptom relief.

Key Focus Areas

At Ashworth Chiropractic in West Des Moines, IA, our Functional Medicine services address the interconnected systems that shape your overall health.

Each plan is designed to uncover underlying imbalances and create targeted strategies for long-term wellness.

  • Gut Health:

    A healthy gut supports your entire body. Issues like H. pylori, leaky gut, GERD, IBD, bloating, and SIBO can disrupt digestion, immunity, and energy levels. Through Functional Medicine, we identify and treat the root causes of these imbalances—helping you restore gut integrity, reduce inflammation, and improve your daily comfort and vitality.

  • Allergy Management:

    Allergies often reflect an internal imbalance. We pinpoint your specific allergens and strengthen your immune system to reduce flare-ups naturally. This approach goes beyond symptom relief, promoting better respiratory function, clearer skin, and greater resilience against seasonal and environmental triggers.

  • Bone Health:

    Strong bones are key to mobility and independence, especially as you age. Our personalized strategies support bone density, prevent osteoporosis, and enhance nutrient absorption—so your skeletal system stays strong and resilient for an active lifestyle.

  • Skin Health:

    Your skin mirrors your internal wellness. Conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis often stem from gut or hormonal imbalances. By addressing these internal causes through nutrition, detox support, and inflammation control, we help you achieve clearer, healthier skin from the inside out.

  • Autoimmune Conditions:

    Autoimmune disorders can cause widespread inflammation and fatigue. Using Functional Medicine, we help modulate your immune response, identify food or environmental triggers, and calm chronic inflammation—giving you better energy, fewer flare-ups, and more control over your health.

  • Male Health & Hormone Balance:

    Hormonal shifts can affect men’s energy, mood, focus, and vitality. We assess testosterone, cortisol, thyroid, and other key markers to uncover imbalances, then create a plan that supports hormone balance, mental clarity, and long-term performance.

  • Longevity & Healthy Aging:

    While aging is inevitable, how you age can be influenced by daily choices. Our longevity protocols focus on supporting cellular repair, reducing inflammation, and maintaining metabolic and cognitive health—so you stay active, sharp, and strong at every stage of life.

  • Weight Management:

    Sustainable weight loss isn’t just about calories—it’s about balance. We address underlying factors like hormonal shifts, insulin resistance, and metabolic slowdowns, then build a plan tailored to your body. The goal: healthy weight management and improved confidence for the long term.

  • Sports Performance & Recovery:

    Peak performance starts with a body that functions efficiently. Whether you’re an athlete or active adult, we help optimize recovery, reduce inflammation, and prevent overuse injuries. With better balance, flexibility, and endurance, you can move, train, and compete at your best.

Addressing the Source of Illness, Not Just the Signs

Traditional medicine often focuses on managing symptoms with medication.

At Ashworth Chiropractic in West Des Moines, IA, our Functional Medicine approach targets the underlying causes of illness to help your body function at its best.

By restoring balance through nutrition, lifestyle changes, and natural support, we aim to reduce reliance on medications and promote lasting wellness—so you can feel better, move better, and live better every day.

Your Path to Wellness Begins Here!

Our experts in chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy work as a team to provide holistic care that meets your specific needs. Book your appointment today and experience coordinated care.

Meet Dr. Matthew Wilson, DC, FIACA, CCWP — Functional Medicine Specialist in West Des Moines, IA

Dr. Matthew Wilson is a board-certified chiropractor and Functional Medicine practitioner at Ashworth Chiropractic.

A graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and a Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner (CCWP), he integrates Functional Medicine, chiropractic techniques, and rehabilitative care to uncover and treat the underlying factors behind pain and chronic conditions.

With advanced certifications in Graston M1, Functional Movement Technique, and acupuncture, Dr. Wilson delivers evidence-based, whole-body care that helps patients restore balance and long-term wellness throughout the Des Moines metro area.

Dr. Wilson’s Office Hours

Monday
8:30 am – 12 pm
2pm – 6 pm

Tuesday
2pm – 6pm

Wednesday
8:30 am – 12 pm
2 pm – 6 pm

Thursday
8:30 am – 12 pm
2pm – 6 pm

Friday
8:30 am – 1 pm

Health Care Coverage

Most Insurance Carriers including BCBS PPO and Medicaid

Dr. Matt has done wonders for me and I recommend him highly – I can’t say enough good things about him. Dr. Matt and staff are good people and will take great care of you.
Steve Q., via Google
Dr. Matt and the entire staff have been GREAT! I went in for some issues I was having with my neck and back and Dr. Matt also helped me with some other issues I was having with my calf and shoulders that have made a HUGE improvement in my overall health and comfort.

I highly recommend using Dr. Matt!

Tyler, via Facebook
Very professional and in depth consultation. These people seem to genuinely care about people’s health and progress.
Laura, via citysearch.com
My family have used chiropractic and physical therapy services here and every one of us have had excellent outcomes. I wouldn’t go anywhere else these folks are as good as it gets.
Robert A., via Google

Dr. Matthew squeezed me in on short notice and took very good care of me. He was very thorough and didn’t just adjust me and let me walk out. Amazing experience here and the receptionist is a sweetheart.

Vanessa V., via Google
I really love it here! They are very friendly and I feel Dr. Wilson is giving me great treatment! I also don’t feel pressured into coming back too frequently. The adjustments are great! Great office!
Amy, via demandforce