Functional Medicine FAQ
GENERAL
Functional Medicine is a root-cause approach to health that looks at the whole person — not just symptoms. It explores how your genetics, lifestyle, environment, and emotional health interact to create (or heal) disease.
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all treatment, we investigate why imbalances occur and how to restore your body’s natural function.
We consider factors like diet, toxic exposures, stress, sleep, movement, and past experiences — and create a personalized plan based on your unique story.
Our practice brings together two independent practitioners working in close collaboration.
Dr. Varvara Zisimidou is a German-trained Internal Medicine physician with over 6 years of clinical experience, including 5 years in hospital-based medicine. She has formal functional medicine training (AFMCP) from the Institute for Functional Medicine, an additional qualification in Naturopathy (Zusatzbezeichnung Naturheilverfahren) from the Medical Association of North Rhine, and qualifications in neural therapy (DGfAN) and acupuncture. She trained at the Department of Naturopathy and Integrative Medicine at Kliniken Essen-Mitte, and has spent the past two and a half years working with patients who have complex, long-standing conditions and persistent symptoms.
Panagiotis Tsintavis is a Registered Dietitian (RD) with a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition (MSc) and the Functional Medicine Certified Professional (FMCP) credential from the Institute for Functional Medicine — the only RD in Greece holding it.
Together, we offer a rare combination of medical and functional nutrition expertise, designed for patients who need more than a single-discipline approach.
When appropriate, we also collaborate with your existing healthcare providers to ensure continuity and complementary care.
These are tools we use to understand your health story in depth.
The Timeline helps map key events in your life — from birth (or even before) to today — to see how past experiences may relate to current symptoms.
The Matrix organizes your symptoms, lab results, and lifestyle factors into core systems (like digestion, detox, hormones, immune health, etc.) so we can uncover root causes and build a targeted, personalized plan.
Together, they guide how we connect the dots and support healing at the root.
CONDITIONS WE WORK WITH
We specialize in chronic and complex health concerns, especially those with persistent symptoms or long-standing health histories.
Some of the most common conditions we work with include:
-Autoimmune diseases
-Hormonal imbalances (e.g. PMS, PCOS, thyroid, menopause)
-Gut issues (IBS, SIBO, reflux, IBD)
-Fatigue, sleep issues, and burnout
-Skin concerns (e.g. acne, eczema, psoriasis)
-Metabolic and weight-related conditions
-Mood and brain health (e.g. anxiety, depression, ADHD)
This is not an exhaustive list. If you’re unsure whether we can help, feel free to book a 15-minute Health Strategy Call to discuss your case.
Yes, we frequently work with patients who have autoimmune conditions — including Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and others.
Using a Functional Medicine approach, we focus on identifying root causes, calming the immune system, and reducing symptom flares through nutrition, lifestyle, gut healing, and targeted supplementation.
Many of our patients with autoimmunity experience meaningful improvements in energy, digestion, pain, and overall quality of life.
While we do not diagnose or treat cancer, we can support individuals with cancer through personalized nutrition and lifestyle strategies.
During treatment, we collaborate with your oncology team to help reduce side effects, support immunity, and improve resilience through targeted dietary and supplement guidance.
After treatment, we focus on restoring balance, enhancing detoxification, and lowering the risk of recurrence by addressing root causes and rebuilding health foundations.
All care is tailored and always within the scope of nutrition and lifestyle medicine.
Yes, we work with children of various ages, always in close collaboration with their parents or caregivers.
Our focus is on supporting healthy development by identifying and addressing root causes of symptoms — through personalized nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, and creating a nurturing internal and external environment for growth.
Each plan is adapted to the child’s age, needs, and family context.
WORKING TOGETHER
The first step is to book a 15-minute Health Strategy Call. During this call, we’ll briefly discuss your main symptoms, health concerns, and goals — and we’ll explain how our approach may support you.
If it feels like a good fit on both sides, we’ll guide you through the next steps to begin working together.
Not at all. We work with patients worldwide through secure online consultations using your personalized Patient Portal. You can join from your computer, tablet, or phone — all you need is a camera and microphone.
If you’re located in Athens, Greece, you’re also welcome to book in-person sessions at our offices.
Most of our international patients actually prefer remote sessions for convenience and consistency. The systemic approach works equally well whether we’re in the same room or on different continents.
Yes — we work with patients across the world, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and more.
Our booking system automatically adjusts to your local timezone, and all sessions take place securely via video through your Patient Portal.
Our practice offers something genuinely rare: a German-trained Internal Medicine physician and the only FMCP-certified Registered Dietitian in Greece available to you under one roof.
Panagiotis holds the FMCP certification requiring mastery of systemic biology, advanced biochemistry, and root-cause methodology. Dr. Varvara Zisimidou brings hospital-trained diagnostic precision combined with deep integrative medicine expertise, formal functional medicine training (AFMCP), and qualifications in neural therapy and acupuncture.
Our model brings together two complementary clinical disciplines: functional nutrition and integrative Internal Medicine. Here, you have access to both a functional nutrition and an integrative medical perspective — and the option to draw on both throughout your healing journey. Our international patients often value having both perspectives integrated into one coordinated, systems-based approach, particularly when dealing with complex or long-standing health concerns.
Yes — patients who begin working with either of us have the option to schedule follow-up sessions with both practitioners. This means you can draw on the combined perspectives of functional nutrition medicine and integrative internal medicine throughout your care. For complex or long-standing conditions, this dual-practitioner approach can be particularly valuable — each session building on a shared understanding of your full health picture.
After your 15-minute Health Strategy Call, you’ll receive access to your personal Patient Portal.
Before your Initial Consultation, you’ll need to:
-Fill out a detailed health history form
-Upload any relevant medical records and lab results
-Complete any additional intake forms we provide
This information allows us to prepare thoroughly and give you the most personalized care possible from day one.
The Initial Consultation (2 hours) is a deep-dive into your health story. It includes:
-Full review of your health history and symptoms
-Review of your ATM’s (antecedents, triggers, mediators)
-Mapping your Functional Medicine Timeline and Functional Medicine Matrix
-Analysis of past lab tests (conventional or functional)
-Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis, if applicable
-A fully personalized nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement plan
-Recommendations for further testing (if needed)
This session sets the foundation for your healing journey, with a plan tailored to your unique physiology, story, and goals.
Follow-Up Sessions (50 minutes) are designed to adjust and build on your original plan based on your progress.
They may include:
-Reassessment of your nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement plan
-Review of remaining symptoms or new concerns
-Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis (if needed)
-Updates to your Functional Medicine Timeline and Matrix
-Counseling around your health goals and motivation
-Recommendations for additional lab or genetic testing, if appropriate
Each session supports you in moving forward with clarity, consistency, and confidence.
Most patients meet with their primary practitioner once per month during the active phase of their healing journey.
In general, a period of 3 to 6 months is enough for most people to notice significant improvements in energy, digestion, mood, or other symptoms.
After that, we may continue with 1–2 check-ins per year to review progress, adjust the plan, and interpret any new lab results — supporting your long-term health and vitality.
RATES & POLICIES
-Initial Consultation (120 minutes) – 330 €
-Follow-up Sessions (50 minutes) – 165 €
All sessions are paid online at the time of booking. You’ll receive a receipt via email, and payment is securely processed through Stripe.
Each practitioner invoices independently. However, we can both provide a detailed invoice (receipt) upon request.
In many cases, patients have successfully received full reimbursement for our services — especially when their plans include out-of-network nutrition counseling or international providers.
We recommend checking with your provider to see if your plan offers reimbursement for Registered Dietitian (RD) services, Internal Medicine consultations, or functional health support.
We understand that emergencies and unexpected obligations can arise. However, when an appointment is missed or canceled without sufficient notice, it prevents another patient from accessing care during that time. Likewise, when our schedule appears full due to last-minute changes, patients in need may miss the opportunity to be seen sooner.
To ensure fairness and respect for everyone’s time:
All sessions have a 72-hour cancellation and rescheduling policy.
Changes made less than 72 hours before your appointment will incur the full session fee.
Thank you for your understanding and for respecting this policy — it allows us to provide the highest level of care to all patients.