Feel great with a healthy gut

Are digestive issues holding you back from feeling good and enjoying life? If you’re looking for a gut clinic in Melbourne, our team of digestive health experts can help you get to the root of your digestive problems, so you can feel happy in your body again. We help with a range of complaints, including:

Find the cause. Be supported. Feel the difference.

With our team of gut health experts in your corner, you can take back control of your digestive health and get on with things with more energy, less discomfort, and a program that supports your body and lifestyle. Together, we’ll investigate the root cause of your gut health problem and empower you with knowledge, a personalised plan, and ongoing support to keep your treatment on track. Here's how:

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Defining the problem

During a 4-hour initial consultation, your functional medicine practitioner will explore the cause and triggers of your digestive issues. We’ll go beyond the standard tests and generic treatments to get to the bottom of your digestive problems, and provide you with long-term solutions. With access to the best labs in the world, your practitioner can  investigate: 

  • Microbiome health
  • Digestive function and nutrient absorption
  • Inflammation, IBD, SIBO or leaky gut
  • Pathogenic parasites
  • Food sensitivities

We’ll work out the best way to solve your digestive concerns for you, and only you. We do this by marrying scientific research with your health insights to deliver personalised healthcare advice and a 6-month plan for success. 

Our unique approach to delivering such tailor-made, scientifically-backed treatment plans is what sets us apart and sees our patients consistently reaching their health goals.

mark payne functional medicine pratitioner sitting in clinic talking about digestive health with male patient
liv brown health coach sitting in clinic discussing digestive health treatment plan with male patient

Delivering results-focused support

We’re with you, by your side, as you integrate your healthcare plan into your life.  We understand that making changes can be hard, but it’s so much easier with the help of a health coach.

With their expert skills and endless encouragement, your coach will support you in implementing your health plan so you can focus on achieving incredible (often life-changing) results, with ease. 

You’ll stay motivated and excited about getting healthier (and ultimately, happier) as you work through your 6-month transition.

Let us guide you towards
better health. A better you.

Next level care, for next level results.

Melbourne Functional Medicine’s unique recipe for success is the reason we get 5-star reviews on Google and why we’re considered a leading provider of functional medicine in Melbourne.

You too, can achieve remarkable results that improve your gut health and elevate your quality of life.

You deserve the best of care. Invest in your health with us.

If you've tried and failed to solve your chronic gut health problem through other medical means, you understand that 'quick fixes' don't often result in long-term health gains. That's why we dedicate significant time to investigating your concerns and customising a scientifically based, results-focused program.

Your health investment includes:

6 months uncapped care

Dedicated Functional Medicine Practitioner

Dedicated Health Coach

4 hour initial consult

World's best pathology testing*

Personalised resources

$6800

Payment plans and telehealth available.
*Lab and supplement costs additional

For international patients, the program extends to 7 months at $7800. See our FAQs for more info.

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Book a free discovery call to find out if our program is right for you
Book now

Feel confident and safe in moving forward with us: Book your initial four-hour consultation ($980) to see how we work. If you feel we aren't the right fit for you after your consultation, there’s no obligation to go further with us.

It's personal

Our approach is personalised, collaborative and focused on YOU. See what past patients say about our 6-month program in the video below.

Get to know your support team.

Take the first step towards health now. Book a free call with one of our experts to see if we’re the right fit to partner with on your health journey.

FAQs

Browse our FAQs by category below.

Program
Do you work with patients outside of Australia, and if so, how?

Yes, we work with patients across the globe via telehealth. However, as managing international logistics as well as labs and supplements in local countries requires more time, and often time delays, how we deliver our program is a little different. Therefore, for international patients, the program duration extends from 6 to 7 months, with a program fee of $7800. This allows us to maintain the same high level of care that we provide our local patients.

What is functional medicine?

Functional medicine is a revolutionary healthcare approach that addresses chronic health issues. Research now shows that health issues like digestive health are influenced mainly by your diet, lifestyle and environment. Functional medicine also acknowledges that each person is biochemically unique and that solving a health problem starts with finding the cause of the problem. Therefore, the resolution of health issues requires a root-cause based, personalised approach.

Functional medicine practitioners seek to understand you and your health picture, as well as your diet and lifestyle. When all of these elements are brought together and assessed, we can start to build a clear picture of what’s going on and why. This assessment can often involve functional pathology testing to dig more deeply into your health. Once insights become clear, your functional medicine practitioner will create a personalised treatment plan to solve the root cause and contributing factors to your health concerns. The outcome is that your health can be restored.


An illustrated table comparing the differences between functional medicine and conventional medicine.
What is health coaching, and why do I need a health coach?

Around 80% of people fail to achieve their health goals. This is because our habits around health are hardwired into us, making it difficult to change (which is why it’s so easy to reach for that bar of chocolate without thinking). Often, when it comes to food in particular, there’s an underlying emotional connection that needs to be addressed before lasting change can occur. Health coaches understand the science of behavioural change, so they will help you navigate change with clarity and ease.

Health coaches intimately understand the challenges that come with getting your health back, often overcoming them themselves, so they will be your sidekick, supporter and guide every step of the way. In fact, past patients often rave about the support their health coach gave them - a service they hadn’t realised existed or that they needed until they experienced it themselves. We’re confident you’ll discover that too!

Why is the program for six months? I think I’ll need less time.

Unfortunately, when it comes to chronic health issues like digestive health, quick fixes and magic pills rarely work. Perhaps you’ve tried conventional drugs and found that to be true.

This is because the conventional approach simply looks to suppress or manage symptoms rather than solve the issue completely. Using the functional medicine approach, your practitioner will invest a lot of time investigating your case to pinpoint what’s causing your condition or symptoms. This detective phase typically takes about 4-6 weeks, especially if pathology testing is required. During this time, you’ll be implementing some small steps, possibly experimenting with food or your lifestyle, and gathering more data that will help your practitioner form a clearer picture of what’s going on with you and your health.

The implementation stage typically involves implementing steps bit by bit over several months so that you can make sustainable, simple changes. Much of your success lies in making the changes required to support your body back to good health. Using our understanding of behavioural change, we know that implementing changes in small steps is the recipe for long-term success.

Maybe I’ll need more than six months - what happens at the end of the program?

We’ll be here as long as you need us. At the end of the 6-month program, we simply transition to a more customary pay per session model. Each 45-minute session with your practitioner will be $198, and 1-hour calls with your health coach will be $148. Your Slack channel (our main communication platform) will stay open for your general queries and needs.

What happens in the initial four-hour consultation?

Your practitioner will be in full detective mode to understand all the pieces of your health puzzle and get to the root of your digestive health problem. This involves understanding your health history, your diet, lifestyle and other factors like existing test results to start joining the dots on your health.

During this time, you’ll be able to ask as many questions as you like about your health. If you have a list of questions you’ve had unanswered for some time, bring them along! Your practitioner will help clarify what’s going on with your health and explain things in simple terms versus technical jargon.

Towards the end of the session, your practitioner will formulate a health plan alongside you to tackle your health issues. Following that, your health coach will join the session, and you’ll brief them on what you’ve learned so far and share the treatment plan that you designed with your practitioner.

Your health coach will organise any supplements and testing for you and will schedule your first coaching appointment, so together, you can work out the practical steps to take in your treatment plan.

You’ll walk away from the session with some insight into what could be causing your digestive health condition. You’ll also likely feel a sense of hope and excitement about the possibilities of having your health back on track!

How long is each follow-up session with my practitioner?

Follow-up consultations are typically 30-45 min. Each session will consider the effectiveness of any interventions implemented and will seek to gain further insight into your digestive health condition or explore other issues that need addressing.

How long is each session with my health coach?

The duration of your coaching calls will differ depending on how you are doing! At the start, coaching sessions tend to be longer and more intensive as you’re in a learning and growth phase.


As you progress through your program, sessions are typically a weekly 15–30-minute call along with more frequent contact via Slack - an app that you can access on your phone or desktop for quick and easy communication. Your health coach will be in touch regularly to give you as much support as you require to meet your goals!

Do I really need to make changes?

As chronic diseases are caused by dietary, lifestyle and environmental factors, the short answer is yes. So if you’re considering working with us, you must be committed to doing what’s needed to get the results you desire. We give you insights into why change would benefit you and how some of these factors are impacting your health negatively, so you’ll be armed with insights and motivation to change. In this way, change will be a gift rather than a hindrance as you’ll feel so much better because of it.

I've been to many practitioners and specialists - will this program really work for me?

After supporting hundreds of patients through this program, we know that the one thing that sets us apart from other gut health experts is our unique approach. First, our practitioners have a broad range of knowledge about digestive health diseases and conditions. By using the methodical and thorough functional medicine approach to gut health, they leave no stone unturned when finding the root cause of your health concerns.

When you add health coaching into the equation, your chances of success increase greatly because you’ll have someone walking with you step by step through all the challenges that often stop people from getting better.

‍That said, you do have to be prepared and willing to do what’s needed to get your gut health back, which usually involves changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Do you work with children?

Yes, we do, and we love it! We have some wonderful success stories of children with crippling digestive health conditions turning their health around, giving them a brighter future of long term health.

Costs
What are the payment terms?

A deposit of $980 is required upon booking, and the remaining balance ($5820) is to be paid at your initial consultation or paid monthly over six months, with our payment partners.

To find out more about payment solutions download our resource here.

Any supplements or lab testing will incur additional fees.

What other out-of-pocket expenses can I expect?

All contact with your practitioner and coach are included in the program fee. Other costs you can potentially expect are for laboratory tests and supplements. Your practitioner will discuss the costs for any tests or supplements they recommend in your sessions.

Can I get any health rebates from my insurance provider for this program?

Unfortunately, as of April 1, 2019, most private health insurers won’t offer rebates for our services.


Tests
What sort of tests are needed?

Most of the testing we do seeks to understand how pathways or systems in the body function. These tests are typically more in-depth and comprehensive than you would’ve encountered before. 


We sometimes request standard blood chemistry from your GP for more basic tests, and if we need to go more in-depth, such as looking at microbiome health or food sensitivities, we use the world’s leading labs:


Precision Analytical

Genova Diagnostics

KBMO

NutriPath

Metametrix

Mosaic Diagnostics

Bioceuticals for DNA testing

Many of these labs are overseas, so test results can take a few weeks to come back.

Why aren't the labs covered by Medicare? And why can't my doctor order these tests?

Unfortunately, Medicare only pays for standard tests, conventional medical tests, many of which we find don’t give a clear enough window into your health. The tests we order are different from conventional tests you’ve likely experienced and found to be unhelpful before finding us.


GPs, unless they are functional medicine trained, are only trained in interpreting standard tests that look for pathologies (disease) rather than looking purely at assessing the function of pathways or systems. The functional pathology tests that we use can identify pre-disease states and look at other determining factors that contribute to digestive health conditions.


Learning about and interpreting the latest functional pathology tests takes years of functional medicine training and involves continued education as new scientific insights arise.  


Given these labs are privately billed, we seek to balance the need for more data on your health with a desire to look after your wallet. Therefore, the amount of lab tests we do varies by individual. Typically, when we ask a patient to invest in testing of this nature, the cost is worth the investment as we uncover insights that inform their recovery.

Clinic
What are the clinic hours?

Our clinic hours are:


9:00am – 5:00pm Monday to Thursday


However, you can reach us outside of those hours via phone or email.

Where is the clinic located?

Our gut clinic is located in Melbourne at 186 Buckhurst Street, South Melbourne. Our experts in gut health and the healthcare team look forward to welcoming you!

For people in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and across Australia who are looking for a digestive health specialist or a functional medicine gut health expert to improve your digestive health naturally, telehealth appointments are available.

I live interstate, overseas or am unable to make it to the clinic because of my illness. Do you work remotely?

Yes. Phone or video consultations are available for those unable to make it to the clinic due to location, time or illness. Simply let us know when you’re booking in, and we’ll organise that for you.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out to the team directly – we’ll be happy to assist.