Integrative Medicine: A New Approach to Total Health Care

Filmed at Davis Orthopedics in Birmingham, Alabama. Dawn Gagye - host of The Entrepreneurial Edge - interviews orthopedic surgeon Matt Davis, MD and functional nutritionist/RBTI specialist Mari Handley about their integrated approach to patient care that goes beyond isolated specialty treatment. Mari explains her path into functional nutrition through caring for four children with PKU and her focus on natural, personalized health plans using RBTI urine/saliva testing and DUTCH hormone testing to assess digestion, detoxification, hydration/minerals, and hormone metabolism. Dr. Matt Davis describes how modern ultra-specialization can miss root causes, and how he began emphasizing sleep, nutrition, supplements, and other “granola strategies” after observing athletes and younger patients recover more predictably than older patients, often due to better overall health. Together, they discuss common patient profiles: women in their 40s with fatigue, brain fog, and perimenopause-like symptoms despite “normal” labs, and men in their 40s who were previously fit but hit a wall with stress, low energy, focus issues, or poorly monitored testosterone. Matt also shares how IV infusion therapy is used to prepare surgical patients, reduce anesthesia after-effects, support recovery, and expand into immunity support for non-surgical patients; they also explain DEXA scans for bone density and body composition tracking. Using a fictional Carrie Bradshaw hip case study, they highlight how congenital or degenerative issues can be treated while optimizing hormones, stress, diet, supplements, and recovery support. The episode emphasizes individualized, relationship-driven care, clear communication, and options to start via consultation, in-office visits, Telehealth, and Mari’s house calls, with referrals and partnerships for services like DEXA scans and external labs.00:00 Welcome to Davis Orthopedics + Meet Dr. Matt Davis & Functional Nutritionist Mari Handley01:08 Why This MD + Functional Nutrition Partnership Exists02:20 The Problem with Ultra-Specialization: Healing, Nutrition, and the “Granola Strategies”04:34 Who This Integrated Care Is For: ‘My Labs Are Normal, But I Don’t Feel Right’05:50 How Patients Get Help: From Injury Visits to Real Implementation (Diet, Exercise, Sleep)06:55 How Matt & Mari Work Together: Referrals vs Side-by-Side Care Plans08:57 The Ideal Female Patient ‘Sophia’: Fatigue, Brain Fog, Perimenopause Signals10:57 Testing Explained: RBTI Urine/Saliva + DUTCH Hormone Metabolism in Plain English13:27 The Ideal Male Patient ‘Asher’: Energy, Stress, Testosterone, and Goal-Based Plans15:33 Infusion Therapy for Surgery Prep, Recovery, and Immunity Boosting17:40 All Under One Roof + DEXA Scans: Bone Density vs Full Body Composition20:59 DEXA Scans vs Insurance Rules: Getting Real Bone-Health Data21:42 Why Tracking Numbers Matters (Marketing Analogy to Health Metrics)22:46 Carrie Bradshaw Case Study: Hip Pain, Heels, and “Am I Just Getting Old?”24:17 Reframing Aging: Staying Active, Fighting the “Inevitable Decline” Narrative26:59 Menopause + Surgery Recovery: Where Integrative Support Fits In29:24 Mari’s Toolkit: DUTCH Testing, Nutrition Plans, Stress Support & IV Therapy32:13 What Great Care Feels Like: Patient Experience, Communication, and Solo Practice37:21 How to Work With Them: Consults, House Calls, Telehealth, Labs & Social Links42:18 Final Takeaway: Don’t Accept “Normal Labs” If You Still Don’t Feel RightMari Handley Elev8 Your HealthInstagramLinkedInFacebookWebsiteYouTubeDr. Matt Davis - Davis OrthopedicsWebsiteIG - @davisorthopedicsFacebook Davis Orthopedics 7500 Hugh Daniel DriveSuite 250 Hoover, AL 35242(205) 533-6644Dawn Gagye - Marketing Strategist and Podcast HostFounders and Business Owners Apply to be on the Podcast https://tracerstrategicmarketing.com/evergreenSpotifyLinkedIn  FacebookTikTokInstagram @tsmbluprintproYouTubeWebsite