Find a Functional Medicine Doctor in Charleston, SC

Choosing a functional medicine doctor allows for a more personalized, investigative approach to chronic conditions. Functional medicine doctors aim to uncover the underlying contributors to illness, whether that involves immune responses, environmental exposures, or metabolic dysfunction. The specialists at the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (COEM) bring over four decades of experience in this area and are sought out worldwide for treatment plans that reflect the complex influences of genetics, environment, and lifestyle. This is especially valuable for patients with layered conditions such as mold exposure, chronic fatigue, or symptoms related to long-term toxicant exposure.

At COEM, functional medicine doctors spend time understanding the full scope of a patient’s history and environmental context, including occupational exposures, sensitivities, and immune reactivity. By doing so, they are able to offer a type of care that is both specific and adaptable to each individual’s situation. Treatments may include multi-step oxygen therapy, IV therapy, PBM (photobiomodulation), and other integrative modalities that are adjusted based on lab findings and response to care. For families navigating complex conditions like autism spectrum disorder or patients with unresolved health concerns related to mold or biotoxins, working with a clinic that takes this depth of analysis seriously can be an essential next step.

Functional lab testing at The Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (COEM) includes a range of standard and advanced diagnostics, all selected based on the individual’s symptoms, history, and suspected exposures. Tests often begin with foundational screenings like complete blood counts to evaluate red and white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin, along with blood chemistry panels that monitor glucose levels, electrolytes, and enzyme activity. Urinalysis may be used to assess kidney function or detect urinary tract infections and metabolic irregularities, while drug screening panels help determine the presence of prescription or non-prescription substances that may impact health or interfere with treatment. In some cases, viral testing is also part of the diagnostic picture. This may include PCR(polymerase chain reaction) testing, which detects viral genetic material, or rapid antigen tests that identify protein markers associated with specific viral strains. Functional lab work at COEM is reviewed alongside the patient’s clinical history and exposure profile, helping specialists better understand what may be driving chronic symptoms. When warranted, additional tests such as provocation-neutralization allergy screening or panels for biotoxin-related illness, like mold and moisture exposure, may also be included. The goal is to move beyond symptom confirmation and toward a more complete picture of the underlying cause.

Functional medicine doctors frequently support individuals facing mental health challenges, particularly when symptoms may be linked to environmental, metabolic, or immune-related factors. Depression, anxiety, and cognitive dysfunction can all arise from inflammatory processes, mold exposure, or undiagnosed sensitivities. When traditional psychiatric treatments have not resolved the issue, patients often seek out care that considers the full range of biological contributors. In such cases, COEM’s team looks at how toxicants, nutrition, and gut-brain connection may be interacting with the patient’s nervous system, helping to stabilize symptoms from a different entry point.

This approach has particular relevance in the treatment of neurodevelopmental and spectrum-related conditions, especially among children and adults with overlapping issues such as apraxia or non-verbal communication challenges. Through the MAPS protocol, which Dr. Stephen P. Elliott, MD, D.A.B.F.M., F.A.A.A.M., F.M.A.P.S., is certified to administer, functional medicine becomes a route to support both physical and behavioral health. In collaboration with other providers, whether ABA teams, those trained in the Spellers Method, or others, treatment is coordinated to meet the individual where they are. Functional medicine doesn’t replace mental health care, but it adds a needed layer of context that can reveal why certain interventions have or haven’t worked in the past.

Individuals looking for a qualified functional medicine doctor need look no further than COEM. Our patients work with a team that includes Dr. Stephen P. Elliott, MD, D.A.B.F.M., F.A.A.A.M., F.M.A.P.S., the only MedMAPS-certified physician Fellow in South Carolina. That reflects a familiarity with complex, integrative care, particularly for those on the autism spectrum or those with histories of chronic environmental exposure. Functional medicine doctors at COEM bring decades of collective experience, including Dr. Allan Lieberman (Founder/Retired) and Dr. William J. Weirs, MD, F.A.A.E.M., who offer expertise in mold-related illnesses, Independent Medical Evaluations (IMEs), and biotoxin-related conditions. Patients should look for clinics that offer individualized assessments, functional lab testing, and modalities like multi-step oxygen therapy or PBM when appropriate. For families seeking MAPS-based support for a child on the spectrum or individuals dealing with the lingering effects of mold and moisture exposure, the functional medicine specialists and mold doctors at COEM are sought out worldwide.

The Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (COEM) provides functional medicine services. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 7510 North Forest Drive North Charleston, SC 29420. We serve patients from Charleston SC, Mount Pleasant SC, Summerville SC, North Charleston SC, Goose Creek SC, Ladson SC, Hanahan SC, James Island SC, John’s Island SC, Daniel Island SC, West Ashley SC, Moncks Corner SC, Sullivans Island SC, Folly Beach SC, Isle of Palms SC and all of South Carolina, Nationally, and Internationally. Patients routinely fly into Charleston to be evaluated by COEM and to enjoy this beautiful city, which is a Condé Nast and Travel and Leisure Top Domestic and International Tourist Destination.