Info@ShepherdFunctionalMedicine.com
An integrative medical practice rooted in functional diagnostics and acupuncture
Services
Functional Medicine Consultations
Functional Medicine Consultations
Functional Medicine Consultations
Functional medicine offers a whole-systems approach to understanding complex or chronic health concerns. Rather than chasing symptoms, we investigate the underlying patterns and contributors — including immune, metabolic, hormonal, digestive, and neurological imbalances.
Treatment begins with foundational shifts in nutrition and lifestyle, often supported by targeted nutraceuticals or herbal protocols.
Advanced diagnostic testing may include bloodwork, stool analysis, hormone panels, nutrient status, or microbiome evaluation — helping us create a care plan that's as precise as it is personalized.
Acupuncture & TCM
Functional Medicine Consultations
Functional Medicine Consultations
Acupuncture is a key modality within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using fine, sterile needles to influence the body’s regulatory systems — including nervous, hormonal, and circulatory function. Its aim is to restore balance and promote healing across both physical and internal systems.
At Shepherd Functional Medicine, acupuncture may be used to support a range of concerns, including muscular and fascial pain, chronic migraines, insomnia, fertility, hormonal regulation, and digestive complaints.
Other TCM-based therapies offered include cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, tuina (manual therapy), and herbal formulas — each selected based on your presentation and goals.
Dry Needling
Functional Medicine Consultations
Dry Needling
Dry needling is a targeted technique used to release trigger points and treat myofascial pain. It involves inserting fine, solid filiform needles directly into areas of muscular tension or dysfunction to improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore neuromuscular function.
While dry needling and acupuncture use similar tools, they are distinct in both theory and application. Dry needling is grounded in Western anatomical and neurophysiological principles, and requires specific clinical training in soft tissue and musculoskeletal assessment.
At Shepherd Functional Medicine, dry needling is often integrated with other manual and needling therapies to support structural reset and functional recovery.
FSN
No Needle Therapies
Dry Needling
Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling (FSN) is an innovative therapy developed for the treatment of myofascial pain and muscle dysfunction. It bridges elements of acupuncture and dry needling but is distinctly its own modality — using a specialized superficial needle that targets the subcutaneous layer while avoiding direct penetration of the muscle.
FSN is uniquely effective in releasing tension and restoring movement with minimal discomfort. In most cases, noticeable improvement is achieved within the first session.
Dr. Ryan Shepherd is one of the original co-designers of the FSN tool and currently the only practitioner worldwide with access to this specific instrument. He regularly trains healthcare professionals internationally in its technique and clinical application.
Herbal Medicine
No Needle Therapies
No Needle Therapies
Herbal medicine can be approached through both Western and Chinese frameworks — each grounded in its own diagnostic system and therapeutic philosophy.
Western herbal medicine draws on traditional European practices, supported by modern clinical diagnostics. It integrates physical examination, blood work, and pharmacological understanding of plant constituents — including their actions, absorption, metabolism, and tissue specificity. Remedies are typically dispensed as liquid compounds or capsules and tailored to the individual based on symptoms, constitution, and biochemistry.
Chinese herbal medicine is rooted in the energetic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using tools like tongue and pulse diagnosis to assess internal imbalances. These formulas are more subtle in dosing and are prescribed based on precise TCM symptom patterns.
In both systems, treatment is individualized. Two people presenting with the same condition may receive entirely different formulas based on the underlying pattern or presentation.
Herbal prescriptions are formulated with care for both adults and children and are chosen with a strong understanding of potential interactions between herbs, nutrients, and pharmaceutical medications.
No Needle Therapies
No Needle Therapies
No Needle Therapies
Needles aren’t the only way to treat pain. We offer non-invasive therapies for musculoskeletal conditions and soft tissue dysfunction, including:
– Laser therapy
– Ultrasound therapy
– Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
– Manual trigger point release
These techniques can be used as standalone treatments or integrated into a broader care plan. They're ideal for patients who are needle-sensitive, looking for a gentler approach, or working through acute pain flare-ups.