Discover our monthly specials.
At Alive and Well, we understand that every individual in Austin has unique health needs and goals. That’s why our range of Functional Medicine services in Austin is designed with your personal health journey in mind. We start with comprehensive health assessments to understand your body’s specific needs. Our team then crafts a tailored treatment plan that may include nutritional guidance, lifestyle modifications, and advanced therapies.
We focus on preventive care and long-term wellness, ensuring that every aspect of your health is addressed. From managing chronic health issues to optimizing your overall well-being, our Functional Medicine approach is here to support Austin’s diverse and dynamic community.
At Alive and Well, we understand that every individual in Austin has unique health needs and goals. That’s why our range of Functional Medicine services is designed with your personal health journey in mind. We start with comprehensive health assessments to understand your body’s specific needs. Our team then crafts a tailored treatment plan that may include nutritional guidance, lifestyle modifications, and advanced therapies.
We focus on preventive care and long-term wellness, ensuring that every aspect of your health is addressed. From managing chronic health issues to optimizing your overall well-being, our Functional Medicine approach is here to support Austin’s diverse and dynamic community.
Discover what it’s like to work with our integrated team of practitioners.
Your dedicated team of specialists is ready to get to know you from the inside-out.
We’ll uncover the roots of your health concerns through symptom review, comprehensive medical analysis, and advanced lab testing.
Your journey to wellness begins with impactful nutrition, healthy lifestyle adjustments, and the 1-on-1 support you need to achieve long-term success.
Choosing Functional Medicine at Alive and Well in Austin means embracing many health benefits. Our clients often experience enhanced energy levels, improved sleep quality, and significantly reduced chronic symptoms. Focusing on your body’s unique needs, we help balance your physical, mental, and emotional health, leading to a more enriched quality of life. Our holistic approach addresses existing health issues and equips you with the knowledge and tools to maintain good health in the long run. Experience the transformation with our integrative and functional medicine services and feel more connected to your wellness journey.
Functional medicine seeks to identify and address the root causes of disease, and views the body as one integrated system, rather than a collection of symptoms.
Microbiome balance is vital for physical and mental health, immunity & general wellness.
Hormonal imbalance is often at the root of inflammation, fatigue, brain fog, obesity & diabetes.
Identify triggers & boost immune health to help your body fight allergies naturally.
Thyroid hormone disparity is often at the root of fatigue, weight gain, depression & thinning hair.
Exploring metabolic & hormonal factors can expose fundamental reasons for weight issues.
Chronic stress can lead to low energy, weight gain, mood swings & autoimmune issues.
Conventional medicine often focuses on symptoms of heart disease rather than the root cause.
The brain is resilient to heal to achieve optimal mood, memory & concentration.
Children can heal behavioral and biochemical conditions, given the right tools.
Our approach to testing can lead to more targeted and effective treatments that promote long-term wellness and prevention.
Provides an accurate metabolic snapshot of what is going on in the body.
The most comprehensive nutritional analysis available by measuring functional deficiencies at the cellular level.
Detects microbes that may be disturbing normal microbial balance leading to issues with digestion, absorption, inflammation or immune function.
Measure an individual's IgG and IgA sensitivity to a list of the most commonly consumed foods. Optionally, you can test a more comprehensive list of foods.
Consists of the most functional values for your thyroid, including TSH, Free T3, Free T4 and TPO antibodies. A full Comprehensive Thyroid Test is also available.
Get an accurate picture of your stress and sex hormones to understand how they affect a multitude of symptoms.
Determine your body's exposure level to hundreds of toxic chemicals commonly found in foods, products and the environment.
Assay for 31 of the most common mycotoxins produced by molds.
Discover the right Functional Medicine package for your unique health goals and journey at Alive and Well. Our diverse range of pricing options ensures that you receive tailored, high-quality care.
Our practitioners can help you make sustainable and impactful changes to your lifestyle that support your overall health goals and quality of life.
The duration to see results can vary depending on the individual’s condition and compliance with the treatment plan. Some clients notice improvements within a few weeks, while others may see gradual changes over several months. It’s a journey towards long-term health rather than a quick fix.
No referral is necessary. Clients can schedule an appointment directly with us, ensuring easy access to our Functional Medicine services.
Once you’ve booked your appointment, you will receive an email that confirms your appointment and reviews the next steps. Please access your Patient Portal and fill out all forms and medical questionnaires at least 48 hours (2 business days) prior to your appointment. Your providers review your information and prepare for your appointment ahead of time. Any medical records, specifically those within the last year, should be uploaded to your portal or faxed to our office at (737) 225-8927. Please make sure to include any medications or supplements you are currently taking and any allergies to medications.
Nutrition and lifestyle factors plays a key role in Functional Medicine. We often tailor dietary recommendations to each client’s specific needs, which can be crucial in managing and improving health conditions.
Absolutely. Functional Medicine excels in managing and improving chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal imbalances by addressing underlying causes and promoting lifestyle changes.
We do not accept insurance and require payment at the time of service. We can provide you with a super-bill to file for reimbursement with your insurance company if you choose to do so. Please call your insurance’s Customer Care line to see what out of network benefits you have. Some labs can be run through insurance, and I will work with you to prioritize testing–offering insurance options when available. Please note that some insurance companies do not reimburse Telehealth visits. In that case, an in-person visit should be scheduled.
We utilize various advanced testing methods, including thyroid tests, genetic profiling, hormonal tests, and gut microbiome analysis. These tests help us understand your unique health profile and tailor your treatment accordingly.
Functional Medicine is safe and beneficial for individuals of all ages, including children and seniors. Our treatments are personalized to suit each age group’s specific health requirements and considerations.
Acupuncture is a type of traditional Chinese medicine that’s been around for about 2,500 years. It’s used to support wellness and improve overall mental and physical well-being. The acupuncturist places needles into specific points on the skin to help activate an energy in the body, called qi. According to traditional Chinese medicine, qi is the lifeforce energy in the body — it helps regulate and move things in the body to keep us well. Stress, environmental factors, lifestyle behaviors, and genetics are some of the things that can block qi in the body. The needles help to unblock or move qi to other areas in the body to help support wellness.
Acupuncture needles are solid, stainless steel needles that are usually not much larger than a strand of hair. Acupuncture needles are placed at a very shallow depth and go between tissues, making them less painful than a typical injection.
You might be more sensitive in certain areas, but acupuncture shouldn’t hurt. If you feel pain, tell your acupuncturist. They’ll adjust the needles or choose other points. Their goal is not to make you feel pain. They do a lot of work to position you properly and make sure you feel comfortable.
Indeed you can do acupuncture or massage while pregnant. It is safe and our practitioners are very well versed in how to treat pregnant women. Please let us know when you book a treatment if you are pregnant and how far along you are.
Since the beginning of her medical career, Dr. Dina Pavilonis, M.D. continually asked questions about health, longevity, and healing that conventional medicine didn’t answer. Seeking those answers, she began studying Functional Medicine to complement her traditional medical studies.
Utilizing this multi-disciplinary approach, Dr. Pavilonis has been at the forefront of Integrative Medicine, devoting her career to treating patients in a highly personalized manner that focuses as much on overall health and wellness as it does on specific issues and diagnoses.
Functional and Integrative Medicine
Obesity Medicine
Metabolic
Endocrinology
Family Medicine
Specialties:
Completed her residency training at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, then worked as a primary care doctor for six years before choosing to focus on Bariatric and Functional Medicine.
She is a member of The Institute of Functional Medicine, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, Obesity Medicine Association and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Lauren dedicates her career to facilitating wellness and empowering her patients to take an active role in their health. She has a particular interest in helping her patients get to the root-cause of their health problems by listening, asking detailed questions and understanding that most health problems stem from past experiences. Through guidance and patient education, Lauren gives her patients the tools they need to heal, stay well and thrive.
As a daughter of a neuroscientist and a nurse, Lauren has always been interested in science and medicine. However, she quickly learned that laboratory based research was not well suited for her–she loves connecting and talking with people too much!
She first earned her undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences from Washington University in St. Louis. Afterwards, she achieved her Nursing Degree, Masters in Public Health Nursing, and Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Texas, Austin. She is now a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner with prescriptive authority in the state of Texas. Lauren is also certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine. Even with her plethora of knowledge, Lauren still devotes time to continuing her education in functional and integrative medicine; as well as continuing to stay up to date on current medical research and best practices.
Lauren lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Sam, and their three children: Hazel (7), Harrison (3) and Holland (1). She loves anything outdoors– hiking in the mountains, around Austin, or at the beach. Lauren also adores live music, cooking nourishing food, and dancing two-step with her husband.
Megan (Meg) McElroy is a board-certified Physician Assistant with more than a decade of experience in functional and integrative medicine. She began her journey in functional medicine as a patient with chronic health issues. She believes there are 2 general approaches to the practice of functional medicine: lots of testing/treatments all at once (i.e. the most expensive approach), and the more methodical approach (the approach she currently utilizes).
‘’After over 12 years of experience in Functional Medicine, I have learned that simple steps are often most effective at improving health. We are intended to thrive, but we don’t have to have “perfect,” strict diets and a long list of supplements to do so! There is so much information at our fingertips—I see my role as being able to filter out the “noise” and simplify the overwhelm. It may take time and patience, but I never give up on finding ways to help my patients feel better.”
Clinical expertise: Thyroid health, autoimmune conditions, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, health optimization and longevity, fertility and hormone optimization
Jana obtained her baccalaureate degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin. She then went on to obtain her nursing degree from UT Austin and shortly after began working as a pediatric hematology and oncology acute care registered nurse at Dell Children’s Medical Center.
She then returned to UT to obtain her master’s degree in nursing with a pediatric nurse practitioner focus. She is board certified as a pediatric nurse practitioner from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. After working many years in a primary care setting, her love for nutrition and health led her down the functional medicine path. She helped open and own Neuronutrition Associates for many years. She also co-wrote and published a book on a functional medicine approach to treating autism. Jana is a fellow through the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs and has been trained through the Institute for Functional Medicine.
She is passionate about providing holistic healthcare to children with chronic maladies through an integrative and functional medical approach. She has a love for children with chronic complex issues- specifically autism, PANDAS/PANS, and learning challenges. She aims to bring more healing modalities to her patients while at Alive and Well
Daniel Chege, a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, brings a wealth of experience in integrative medicine to his practice. With a background in computer and mechanical engineering, his journey into healthcare was sparked by a passion for finding lasting solutions to health challenges. Originally from Kenya, Daniel pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Mountain State University in West Virginia upon relocating to the USA in 2008.
After gaining invaluable experience in critical care within the surgical ICU, Daniel continued his education, earning a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio in 2013. He further solidified his expertise by obtaining certification through the ANCC.
During his tenure at UPMC Pinnacle, where he initially worked in urgent care before transitioning to family practice, Daniel developed a keen interest in integrative approaches to medicine. He has dedicated himself to integrative medicine, focusing on personalized treatment plans that incorporate nutraceuticals, essential oils, peptides and IV therapies. His gentle bedside manner coupled with his high success rates in managing hormones, Thyroid dysfunction, PCOS and adrenal fatigue, explain his large and loyal female patient base.
ALL LOCATIONS
AUSTIN AND DALLAS ONLY
BOULDER ONLY
AUSTIN AND DALLAS ONLY
DALLAS ONLY
DALLAS ONLY
Get a FREE Large Area package (8 sessions, $1,700 value) with purchase of an Extra Large Area package
or
FREE Medium Area package (8 sessions, $1,360 value) with a Large Area package.
DALLAS ONLY
Book four sessions of 24ml PRP scalp injections and get four Fotona Hair Restoration Laser Treatments for FREE! (1,200 value!)
Cindy Nilson is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Full Mesa Carrier, Reiki Master and Intuitive advisor. Utilizing acupuncture, energy-infused acupressure massage therapy and body psychology, she integrates teachings from eastern medicine, shamanism, energy/chakra healing and archetypal patterns to provide a unique diagnostic perspective and treatment experience. Specializing in how stress, our thoughts and emotions affect the physical body, and resourcing from the 10,000 hours spent honing her work, Cindy creates new and exciting collaboratives to her foundations in acupuncture therapy. She believes joining Alive + Well is the joyous culmination of her work and is excited to share this beautiful environment and healing space with her clients.
Cindy holds a B.A. from Texas A&M University and a Masters degree from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine. In 1999 she received her Doctor of Oriental Medicine from the New Mexico State Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. A native of Central Texas, she has been in private practice in Lakeway, where she lives happily married, raising kids.