Functional Medicine Strategies for Autoimmune Disease & Chronic Inflammation
A Functional Medicine Approach to Autoimmune Disease
We help patients uncover and address the root causes driving autoimmune disease, chronic inflammation, fatigue, and immune dysfunction so they can support healing and improve long-term health.
We Help Address the Root Causes Behind Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune disease has become increasingly common in today’s world, but thankfully, as with all chronic symptoms and conditions, there are often underlying causes and mediating factors that can be investigated and addressed.
Autoimmune disease does not happen in a vacuum.
While genetics may influence susceptibility, many patients develop autoimmune conditions after years of accumulated stressors, inflammation, infections, environmental exposures, gut dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, and immune system challenges.
Many patients come to us struggling with:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Joint pain
- Muscle aches
- Digestive issues
- Food sensitivities
- Chronic inflammation
- Skin rashes
- Hair loss
- Hormone imbalances
- Anxiety
- Poor sleep
- Headaches
- Recurring flare-ups
- Low energy
- Unexplained symptoms despite “normal” labs
Conditions we commonly work with include:
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Psoriasis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Graves’ disease
- Autoimmune thyroid disease
- Chronic inflammatory conditions
We have worked with countless patients over the years who have struggled with autoimmune conditions that affect not only their physical health, but also their confidence, comfort, and quality of life.
Why Conventional Care Often Falls Short
Conventional medicine often focuses on suppressing immune activity and managing symptoms with medications.
While medications can be incredibly important and necessary, they rarely investigate why the immune system became dysregulated in the first place.
The functional medicine approach asks a different question:
What factors may have contributed to the development and persistence of autoimmune disease?
By identifying and addressing those factors, we aim to support immune regulation, reduce inflammation, and create an environment that promotes healing.
These root causes may include:
- GI microbiome imbalances
- Gut permeability
- Food sensitivities
- Inflammatory diets
- Chronic infections
- Mold toxicity
- Heavy metal accumulation
- Ongoing toxin exposures
- High cortisol states
- Nervous system dysregulation
- Medication side effects
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Blood sugar imbalances
- Poor sleep
- Poor dental health
- Hidden dental infections
- Breast implant illness
- Systemic inflammation
Get to the Root Cause with Functional Medicine
Our process always begins with a thorough medical and lifestyle investigation, taking into account timelines for symptom onset, previous infections, medications, environmental exposures, stressors, digestion, sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle patterns.
Because autoimmune disease is rarely caused by a single factor, we believe a comprehensive investigation is often necessary to fully understand what may be contributing to symptoms and flare-ups.
We often begin by addressing the foundations for optimal health and healing, starting with gut health. The gut plays a central role in immune function, and many patients experience meaningful improvements when food sensitivities, microbial imbalances, gut lining integrity, and inflammation are addressed.
We also work to identify and reduce environmental stressors that may be contributing to immune dysfunction while supporting the body’s natural detoxification and drainage pathways.
Addressing chronic stress and improving nervous system regulation are also important components of autoimmune recovery. The immune system and nervous system are deeply interconnected, and both play a significant role in inflammatory signaling throughout the body.
When appropriate, additional investigations may include evaluating possible mycotoxin exposure, hidden dental infections, chronic infections, heavy metals, or breast implant illness when these factors may be contributing to ongoing immune dysfunction.
Every autoimmune journey is different, which is why cookie-cutter protocols rarely work. Our goal is to understand your unique story and create a personalized plan that addresses the factors most relevant to your health.
Feel Confident in Your Care Team
Experience sets us apart
- Extensive education and training
- Compassion and a Christian worldview
- Years of clinical experience
- A personal Functional Medicine Journey
- An ongoing, weekly mentorship with Dr. Beard
Amy Beard, MD, IFMCP
Owner, Founder, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner
Dr. Amy Beard is a Board Certified Family Medicine MD, an Institute of Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, a Dietitian, an ER Physician, a previous Cardiac Rehab Medical Director, and has extensive clinical and personal experience in Functional Medicine...
Lindley Kinard DNP, APN, FNP-C
Certified Functional Medicine Practitoner
Dr. Kinard is a Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate of Nursing, an Institute of Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, a previous Registered Nurse in CVICU at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and a mother of two young boys. Lindley is an exceptional Functional...
Hannah Tikson, MS, FMCHC
Functional Medicine Consultant
Hannah is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach; she has a Master’s in Exercise and Nutrition Science, professional experience as a coach, educator and researcher, and is a mother of two young girls. Hannah is passionate about helping people optimize...
Laura Postlethwait, RN, INHC
Functional Medicine Consultant
Laura is a Certified Integrative Nutritional Health Coach. She has been in the medical field since 2005 and a Registered Nurse since 2011. She has been on two medical mission trips to Kenya, Africa. She and her husband were foster parents for 7+ years. She has been an...
Anna Allen, FDNP, CNP(S)
Functional Medicine Consultant
Anna is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner with a Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and a minor in Strategic Communication. Her path to Functional Medicine began with her own unresolved health struggles. Those challenges, along with guidance from the Lord,...
Paul Buch
Owner, Head of Research, Product Development, and Customer Service
Paul is, first and foremost, Dr. Beard’s husband. Together, they run AmyBeardMD.com as their passion and ministry. Paul manages many aspects of the business, including, but not limited to, research, product development, sales, and client satisfaction. His...
Blake Harrell
Pastor, Teacher, Guest Speaker
Blake Harrell is a pastor, teacher, and guest speaker who has spent the last 10 years leading a family of believers in central Arkansas. (Yes, he’s Dr. Beard’s pastor!). Before entering ministry, Blake worked for a decade in the medical field, preparing to...
What We Treat
Spoiler: We treat all chronic conditions because they all have a root cause!
Digestive Issues
Autoimmunity and Inflammation
Chronic Fatigue
Hormone and Thyroid Imbalances
Body Composition & Weight
Skin Conditions
Infant & Children’s Health
Asthma & Allergies
Cognition & Brain Health
Joint Pain/ Chronic Pain
Jump In and Become a Client
Step 1 – Schedule a free 15 minute Exploratory Call
Schedule a free 15 minute Exploratory Call with our patient liaison to make sure we are a good fit for your care and learn about how our functional medicine clinic operates. After your Exploratory Call, you will be sent a link to schedule your First Step Appointment either with Dr. Beard or Dr. Kinard. Regardless of who you see, Dr. Beard always oversees all cases in our practice.
Step 2 – Schedule a first step medical investigation.
Schedule a first step appointment with a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner ($300).
Step 3 – Invest in the recommended 2 month package.
Why a two month package? We can help you make substantial improvements to your health in that amount of time. Many patients see complete resolution of their issues and most see substantial improvements by the end of two months. At the end of the two months you will be left with a detailed plan to either continue on your own or with guidance from the appropriate member(s) of our team. One of our main goals during this two month timeframe is to empower you with the knowledge to take charge of your health.
Dr. Beard will guide you to the proper package that will best meet your medical needs and financial ability. There is no one-size-fits-all plan; we customize your treatment plan for your unique needs.
What to expect at your first step medical investigation:
An in-depth medical investigation
with an experienced medical doctor who leaves no stone unturned.
A medical, lifestyle and symptom timeline
from birth to present.
Evaluation and assessment
of medication side effects, surgical & procedural impacts
In-depth evaluation
of diet and nutrient intake, gut health, toxin exposures and toxic burden, sleep hygiene and quality, sun exposure and biological rhythms, movement and exercise, mitochondrial function, nervous system status, detox and drainage status.
Discussion of next step
(may include but not limited to): specialty and standard lab testing, protocols, medication weaning and changes, supplement changes, referrals to other specialists (biological dentists, for example)
Plenty of time
for concerns and questions to be addressed.
2 Month Treatment Packages:
Option 1:
First Step medical investigation + four RN functional medicine practitioner visits
$975
At the end of two months you will be provided with a care plan to continue on your own or with the help of the appropriate clinic member.
Option:2
First Step medical investigation + four RN functional medicine practitioner visits with Dr. Beard’s oversight $1375
This is the most cost effective way to involve Dr. Beard in your care. Dr. Beard and your RN practitioner meet frequently to discuss your case and direct your care as warranted.
At the end of the two months you will be provided with a care plan to continue on your own or with the help of the appropriate clinic member.
Additional Costs & Options:
- 30-minute appointments with Dr. Beard can be added at anytime for $250
- 40-minute appointments with RN Functional Medicine Practitioner (outside of 2 month package) $125
- Specialty and standard labs: we do not mark up the cost of labs in an effort to save you money. Dr. Beard takes a conservative approach to ordering labs, but also understands their importance in certain clinical situations.
$50-$300 per test panel - Protocols: many patients are prescribed protocols during their two month treatment plan according to their needs. $300-$600 per protocol
We try VERY hard to keep our services affordable. Even though Dr. Beard is one of the most credentialed and experienced functional medicine doctors in the country, she charges less because this is her personal ministry.
