Functional Medicine · Inflammation And Recovery · Serving Stonecrest
Functional Medicine for Stonecrest, FL
"Aches that move around" is how Stonecrest residents describe it: a shoulder one week, a hip the next, both knees after a long day, stiffness every morning that has quietly become normal, and a recovery after any effort that takes three days instead of one. Each ache gets looked at on its own and nothing is found, because nothing is wrong with any one joint. What is off is the system underneath: chronic low grade inflammation and repair that has slowed with age. Functional medicine near Stonecrest, FL looks at that system rather than the four complaints, with acupuncture for inflammatory and nervous system regulation, laser for the tissue that is loudest, NAD+ and peptides where energy and repair signalling are part of it, and a short supplement list, led by a board certified acupuncture physician with twenty-two years in The Villages and a medical doctor on site. Twelve to fifteen minutes from the gate.
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: Aches that move around, morning stiffness and slow recovery, treated as one system near Stonecrest, FL. Acupuncture, laser, NAD+, peptides. Each ache gets looked at on its own and nothing is found, because nothing is wrong with any one joint.
One System, Four Complaints
Why the aches move, and what we sort before treating any of them.
The first job is making sure "aches that move around" is not a diagnosis with a name. Then it is a system to work on.
What needs a rheumatologist
Several joints swelling together, symmetrically, with morning stiffness lasting an hour or more and fatigue, is inflammatory arthritis, and it needs a rheumatology work-up and the medications only a rheumatologist should manage. Widespread pain with tender points and unrefreshing sleep may be fibromyalgia, which has its own pathway. We screen for both at the consultation and refer, with Dr. Phipps, MD, in the building.
What is usually going on
Low grade inflammation that never fully switches off, in tissue that repairs more slowly each year, in a nervous system that has learned to amplify ordinary signals. One worn joint flares, the guarding muscles around it tighten, the next joint takes the load and flares in turn. The stiffness every morning is the inflammatory layer; the three-day recovery is the repair layer; the ache that moves is the signalling layer.
What a panel does not show
Standard inflammatory markers are often in range in this pattern, which is why the aches get dismissed. We review the labs you have, sometimes find a marker nobody flagged, and request a specific test only with a clear reason. No speculative panels.
What feeds it
Sleep that does not restore, a medication list with something in it that flattens repair, too little protein and too little of the handful of nutrients adults in this age group are short on, and the boom-and-bust activity pattern that flares a joint every weekend. Each is part of the plan, and none of them is a product.
The Tools For This Pattern
Regulate the system, treat the loudest tissue.
Acupuncture is the lead for inflammatory and nervous system regulation: for chronic pain, a pooled analysis of about 18,000 patients found it beat sham and usual care with lasting benefit Source: Vickers et al., Archives of Internal Medicine, 2012 (29 trials, 17,922 patients), and in this pattern it also turns down the amplified signalling that makes ordinary aches loud. Many insurance plans cover it. Low level laser goes on whichever joint or tendon is loudest this month, lowering local inflammation without mechanical stress. Where recovery itself has slowed, NAD+ for the cellular energy repair runs on, and peptides for repair signalling, each with evidence stated honestly and a checkpoint. A short supplement list with a reason for each item. Full functional medicine page.
Three rules apply: systems rather than symptoms, measurable targets, no open-ended protocols. And a list of what we are not: not an endocrinology practice, not a rheumatology practice, no hormone replacement, no twelve-month blocks.
What To Expect
What happens at the first functional medicine visit for Stonecrest patients?
Screen for the named diagnoses
Inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia first. Then the labs you have, the medication list, sleep and the activity pattern. A free twenty minute consultation decides fit.
Regulate the system
Acupuncture weekly for the first month, laser on the loudest tissue in the same visit. Twelve to fifteen minutes from the gate, early slots, free parking.
Feed the repair
Sleep, protein, the short supplement list, a steadier activity pattern, and NAD+ or a peptide where the exam calls for it, at home.
Count the markers
Morning stiffness in minutes, recovery in days, how many joints complained this month. Every two to four weeks as it settles. Inflammation and recovery changes usually take several weeks, and we say if they are not coming.
Cost and Insurance
How much does functional medicine cost for Stonecrest patients, and what does insurance cover?
Acupuncture visits
Covered by many insurance plans, laser often inside the visit. We check first. Self pay prices before you book.
NAD+, peptides, supplements
Self pay, each priced on its own with a defined course. No program fee, no membership.
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, Stonecrest?
Worth starting when:
- The aches move from joint to joint and nothing is found in any one of them.
- Morning stiffness has quietly become normal.
- Recovery after any effort takes days.
- Inflammatory markers are in range and the aches were dismissed.
- You want the system treated, not four separate appointments.
Rheumatology first for several joints swelling together with morning stiffness lasting an hour or more. Urgent care for a joint that is hot, red and swollen with fever. We screen for both at the consultation.
Common Questions
What do Stonecrest 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 Stonecrest
12–15 min door to door.
Head south on US 441, then take County Road 466 west 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 Stonecrest12–15 min. Ground floor, step-free entry, free parking. Directions
Stonecrest is close by, and parking is right at the door. Early appointments make it easy to fit care into your week.
Nearby Communities We Also See Patients From
Also For Stonecrest
Other ways we help Stonecrest patients.
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Yelp, Healthgrades and Google.
About This Page
Written by your care team
Content prepared and reviewed by Dr. Christopher Cheshire, MS, AP, LAc, DOM (NCCAOM board certified). Last reviewed September 2026. Content updated October 26, 2026. Serving Stonecrest 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.
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