Why Dr. Tancinco practices functional medicine
After nearly two decades as an internist and hospitalist, Dr. Tancinco became seriously ill with COVID-19 in 2020. His recovery was long, and afterward he dealt with frequent infections, easy fatigue and poor sleep despite a healthy lifestyle. Working with a functional and integrative medicine physician on nutrition, sleep, inflammation and gut health became part of his recovery.
That experience led him to train with the Institute for Functional Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. It also shapes how he listens to patients who have been told nothing is wrong.
Who sees a functional medicine doctor in Searcy
The Searcy office serves White County and the surrounding area, including Beebe, Bald Knob, Kensett, Judsonia, Heber Springs, Cabot and Batesville. Most patients have persistent symptoms that earlier visits didn’t explain, feel unheard in conventional care and want a thorough evaluation along with a real role in their own health. When labs are normal but symptoms continue, we look for other causes. Brain fog, fatigue, digestive trouble and allergies are frequent reasons for the first call.
It also helps to know who you’re seeing. Functional medicine here is practiced by a physician: Dr. Tancinco is an MD, board certified in internal medicine, who can diagnose, order testing and prescribe when it’s needed, with the clinic’s dietitian and health coach supporting the plan.
Functional medicine in Searcy, step by step
Functional medicine looks at how the body’s systems affect one another, so the early weeks focus on the full picture. The wellness programs give the work a timeline:
- Free 15-minute discovery call, for questions and fit rather than diagnosis
- Extended evaluation of your history, lifestyle, sleep and stress, plus advanced labs
- Results review with Dr. Tancinco, connecting patterns across systems
- A personalized plan within Vital Wellness, or within Restore Wellness or a longer program when medical conditions are involved
- Follow-up visits that monitor progress and adjust the plan over time
How the plan is built
Plans usually combine nutrition, sleep and stress changes with targeted supplementation, plus hormone or metabolic treatment when testing shows a clinical need. The clinic’s registered dietitian and health coach can help with the day-to-day side of food and habits, while Dr. Tancinco follows your progress at each visit and adjusts the plan as your results and symptoms change.
Imbalances the evaluation looks for
Chronic conditions often develop when several imbalances occur at once. Depending on your symptoms, the evaluation may look at:
- Hormonal dysfunction, including thyroid
- Insulin resistance and metabolic imbalance
- Chronic inflammation
- Gut and microbiome issues
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Stress, sleep and lifestyle factors
Not every patient needs every test. What’s ordered depends on your history and symptoms, and results are read alongside how you’ve been feeling rather than as standalone numbers.
Visiting the Searcy clinic
Find us on E Beebe Capps Expressway at 901 E Beebe Capps Expy, Searcy, AR 72143, in the White County seat. All visits are by appointment; call 501-254-9650 or email info@vitallongevityclinic.com to set one up. If downtown Little Rock suits your week better, the Regions Center office uses the same number. The Searcy clinic page covers this office in more detail, and our Miami functional medicine office offers the same approach in Florida.
Functional medicine cost and insurance
We don’t bill insurance. Functional medicine relies on extended consultation time, in-depth assessment, advanced testing and ongoing support, which insurance plans generally don’t cover. Your cost depends on the program recommended after your evaluation. HSA and FSA payments are accepted, subject to plan eligibility, and CareCredit is accepted. Men with fatigue or low libido can also read about testosterone therapy in Searcy. To start, request your free call.
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Visit us in Searcy
901 E Beebe Capps ExpySearcy, AR 72143
Care in Searcy
Questions
Common questions about functional medicine in searcy
How is functional medicine different from a routine checkup?
A routine checkup is designed to screen for disease and manage specific diagnoses. Functional medicine takes a longer look at your history, lifestyle and how systems interact, such as hormones, metabolism, gut health and inflammation, to understand why symptoms began. At Vital Longevity Clinic, it’s practiced by a board-certified internal medicine physician.
Is a functional medicine doctor different from a functional medicine practitioner or dietitian?
Yes. A physician (MD) can diagnose medical conditions, order and interpret testing and prescribe treatment. Dietitians and health coaches focus on nutrition and daily habits, which matter just as much over time. The clinic’s team includes both: Dr. Tancinco leads the medical side, while a registered dietitian and a health coach help put the plan into practice.
What are the drawbacks of functional medicine?
It takes time. Evaluations are longer, changes to sleep, food and stress take effort, and improvement is often gradual rather than quick. Functional medicine also isn’t a substitute for urgent care or specialist treatment when those are needed. And because the clinic doesn’t bill insurance, care is paid directly, which is worth weighing before you start.
Do functional medicine doctors take insurance?
Many don’t, and Vital Longevity Clinic is one of them: the practice is cash-based and doesn’t bill insurance, which leaves room for extended consultation time. In Searcy, HSA and FSA payments are accepted where your plan allows, CareCredit is available, and the cost of your program is explained on the free discovery call.
Can I start with a call before visiting the Searcy office?
Yes, that’s how everyone begins. Request the free 15-minute discovery call at 501-254-9650, by email or through the contact form, and select Searcy as your preferred clinic. You’ll talk through your goals and how the programs work. It isn’t a medical visit, so diagnosis and treatment come later, after your evaluation.