Functional Medicine · Does It Really Work · Serving Oxford
Functional Medicine for Oxford, FL
"Does functional medicine really work?" and "is functional medicine a scam?" are typed by the same person, usually after a clinic quoted them a large panel and a twelve-month program. The honest answer is that functional medicine is a label, not a treatment, and labels do not have evidence; tools do. Some of what gets sold under the label is a sales model. Some of the tools inside it have real trial records with real limits. The job of an honest clinic is to tell you which is which, before you pay for either. Functional medicine near Oxford, FL does exactly that, with three rules, a list of what we do not do, and an evidence summary by tool, led by a board certified acupuncture physician with twenty-two years in The Villages and a medical doctor on site. Eight to twelve minutes up 441, first appointment at 7 AM.
Led by Dr. Christopher Cheshire, MS, AP, LAc, DOM, NCCAOM board certified, 22 years in The Villages. Medical oversight by Dr. Thomas Phipps, MD. Meet the providers
In short: Does functional medicine really work, or is it a scam? The label has no evidence; the tools do. Both halves, told plainly for Oxford, FL. MD on site. "Does functional medicine really work?" and "is functional medicine a scam?" are typed by the same person, usually after a clinic quoted them a large panel and a twelve-month program.
The Evidence, By Tool
What each tool rests on, including the thin parts.
This is the section most functional medicine pages leave out. We think it is the answer to the question.
Acupuncture: a real record
For chronic pain, a pooled analysis of individual patient data from about 18,000 people in 29 trials found acupuncture beat sham modestly and beat usual care Source: Vickers et al., Archives of Internal Medicine, 2012 (29 trials, 17,922 patients), with benefit persisting. For the nervous system and inflammatory regulation we use it for in fatigue and recovery plans, the evidence is less direct and we say so. How acupuncture works.
NAD+: raising it is proven, feeling it is not yet
Human trials of NAD+ precursors reliably raise blood NAD+ in older adults and are well tolerated. A 24-week placebo-controlled trial in people over 65 did not improve its primary outcome or physical performance. Injected NAD+ has little controlled data of its own. We run it with a checkpoint and stop if nothing changes. NAD+ therapy.
Peptides: mostly animal
For BPC-157 the research is almost entirely animal work, largely rats, with human trials scarce and no FDA approval. For CJC-1295 with Ipamorelin, human studies show it raises growth hormone pulses without outcome trials on recovery. Used as defined cycles with checkpoints, and stated plainly. Peptide therapy.
Laser and supplements: specific jobs
Low level laser has trial support in inflamed and slow-healing tissue, with limits by condition. Supplements here are a short list of the few nutrients adults in this age group are genuinely short on, each with a reason, rather than a cupboard of products with none. Laser therapy.
Where The Scam Lives
Four things that make functional medicine a sales model, and what we do instead.
The speculative panel
A large lab panel at the first visit, hundreds of dollars per test, ordered before anyone has decided what is wrong. Here: we review the labs you already have and request a specific test only when there is a clear reason.
The twelve-month program
A block of months sold up front, often as a membership, with the supplements bundled in. Here: each tool has a defined course, a checkpoint and an end, priced on its own.
The everything-clinic
Hormones, weight, gut, autoimmune, aesthetics and IV drips from one practitioner. Here: we are not an endocrinology practice, we do not manage hormone replacement, and we refer the problems that need a specialist, with Dr. Phipps, MD, in the building.
The missing clinician
"Our team" and "medically supervised" with nobody named. Here: Dr. Christopher Cheshire, MS, AP, LAc, DOM, NCCAOM board certified, leads the integrative side, and Dr. Thomas Phipps, MD, provides medical oversight, at one location. Full functional medicine page.
What To Expect
What happens at the first functional medicine visit for Oxford patients?
7 AM consultation: is this a reasonable fit
Twenty minutes, free. Sometimes the honest answer is that we are the wrong door, and we say so.
The review
Sleep, medications, recovery, inflammation, the labs you have, and which one or two systems are most likely off.
One or two tools, with their evidence
Each with a defined course, a cost in writing, and what it rests on. Most of the work happens at home.
Checkpoints
Scored against your start. If a tool is not working, we stop it rather than add another.
Cost and Insurance
How much does functional medicine cost for Oxford patients, and what does insurance cover?
By tool
No consultation fee, no program fee, no membership. Each tool priced on its own, before you agree to it.
Insurance
Generally not covered as a whole. Acupuncture visits are covered by many plans; we check yours first. NAD+, peptides, laser and supplements are self pay.
Medicare
Original Medicare covers acupuncture only for chronic low back pain and none of the rest Source: CMS National Coverage Determination 30.3.3. Some Advantage plans include acupuncture; we confirm yours.
The first 20 minute consultation is free and no referral is needed. Call 352-430-2720. For reference, consumer cost guides put a single acupuncture visit in the United States at roughly $50 to $150, and we quote your own course in writing at the free consultation. Source: Money.com guide to alternative medicine costs. Insurance and payment details.
Is This You, Oxford?
Come in when:
- Energy dies by mid-afternoon, recovery takes days, sleep does not restore, or aches move around.
- Every test came back within range and nothing was done.
- You have been quoted a panel and a program elsewhere and want the evidence first.
- You want to be told what we do not do.
- You want an early appointment and a straight answer.
A specialist, not us, for hormone management, thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions and anything that needs a diagnosis you do not yet have. The honest answer is the referral.
Common Questions
What do Oxford patients ask about functional medicine?
Patient Reviews
What patients say on Google.
Dr. Cheshire is rated 4.6 of 5 on Healthgrades from 11 patient ratings as of October 2026 (Healthgrades profile). The quotes above are from Google.
Getting Here From Oxford
8–12 min door to door.
Head east on County Road 466 from US 301 to Old Camp Road. Free parking right at the door.
Address910 Old Camp Road, Suite 162
The Villages, FL 32162
Phone352-430-2720
HoursMonday to Thursday, 7 AM to 3 PM
Friday, 7 AM to 12 PM
From Oxford8–12 min. Ground floor, step-free entry, free parking. Directions
Oxford is just a short drive from our door. Early appointments make it easy to fit care into your week.
Nearby Communities We Also See Patients From
Clinical Review
Reviewed by our clinical team
Written and clinically reviewed by Dr. Christopher Cheshire, MS, AP, LAc, DOM (NCCAOM board certified). Last reviewed September 2026. Content updated October 26, 2026. Serving Oxford patients from The Villages.
Educational content only. Not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Results vary between patients and nothing here is a guarantee of outcome.
Further reading: NIH NCCIH: complementary, alternative or integrative health, what is in a name · MedlinePlus: fatigue.
Also For Oxford
Other ways we help Oxford patients.
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Yelp, Healthgrades and Google.
Start Here
Oxford, relief starts with one call.
Call for your free 20 minute consultation, and find out what is really causing the problem.