Francis Holistic Medical Center

Whom We Treat

Holistic, Functional Medical Care for Adults and Children

Dr. LaCava treats both adults and children, with adult patients making up about 2/3 of his practice. His care focuses on defining and treating the underlying causes of disease, so his patients come from Worcester, Boston, Metrowest and all over Massachusetts and New England. Usual treatments include the following: diet, environmental and lifestyle changes; vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements; and/or detoxification programs.

A typical patient is one who has been dealing for several months to several years with a persistent chronic illness which remains unexplained by and unresponsive to conventional medical care.  Some causes of these symptoms include tick-borne or other chronic infections, mold and/or other environmental toxicity, food allergy/food sensitivity, genetic susceptibilities, and hormonal or nutritional imbalances.

Dr LaCava also sees pediatric primary care patients and adults and children who are seeking a more holistic- functional medicine approach to problems such as headaches, chronic ear infections, gastrointestinal disorders, thyroid conditions, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  For more information, click on the links Conditions We Treat ,  Services and Therapies and Holistic Pediatrics .

Whom We Do Not Treat

Pediatrics:  We try to refrain from using prescription medications for chronic symptoms and illness.  We prefer to use natural treatments which may include dietary modifications (allergen avoidance, organic foods) nutritional supplements and/or environmental modifications. Families who do not embrace a holistic approach to healthcare may not be a good fit for our practice.

We do not provide primary care for adult patients.   Dr LaCava applies holistic, preventive and environmental functional medicine to address complex chronic health problems.  We complement, although cannot replace your primary care physician.  Acute or urgent care needs should be addressed through your primary care physician or nearest emergency room.

For children and adults with advanced cancer, HIV, late stage heart, lung, liver, kidney, neurological disease, terminal illness or individuals with significant drug-dependent psychiatric illness, our conventional health care system is equipped to provide the high level treatment services that you require. Our holistic treatment approach and therapies can sometimes play an adjunctive or complementary role by slowing the progression of or reducing complications of these conditions.