If you are looking for a functional medicine doctor in Maryland, you have probably noticed that the term is used by many different kinds of clinicians. This page explains what functional medicine is, who offers it in Maryland, how to check a clinician’s license, and how visits with Move Forward Natural Health work, both at the Odenton office and by video anywhere in the state.
Dr. Ryan Kneessi is a licensed naturopathic doctor (ND) who uses a functional medicine approach. He earned his ND from National University of Health Sciences in 2013 and holds an active naturopathic doctor license in Maryland. He is not an MD or DO, and he works alongside your existing doctors rather than replacing them.
Many health concerns have more than one contributing factor. Instead of looking at a single symptom on its own, Dr. Kneessi takes the time to understand your history, your daily habits, and your lab work, so you can see how the pieces may connect. The goal is a root-cause conversation that helps you understand your body and leave with a clear, practical plan that fits your life.
Dr. Ryan Kneessi, ND
Licensed naturopathic doctor in Maryland · ND, National University of Health Sciences, 2013 · practicing since 2014.
Office: 1350 Blair Dr Suite HH, Odenton, MD 21113 · Get directions · video visits anywhere in Maryland.
Not ready to book yet? You can browse the professional-grade supplements Dr. Kneessi uses in his online dispensary or take the Supplement Match quiz.
What functional medicine means
Functional medicine is a systems-based way of thinking about health. Instead of looking at one symptom on its own, it asks how the body’s networks affect one another, including digestion, blood sugar regulation, stress hormones, thyroid function, sleep, inflammation, and nutrient status. A functional medicine visit usually spends more time on your history, daily routines, and environment than a typical short appointment does, because those details often explain why several symptoms show up together.
In practice, that means asking questions such as when your energy dips during the day, how you sleep, what you eat on a busy weekday, how stress shows up for you, and what has changed over the last few years. The goal is a clear picture that you understand, along with an educational plan that fits your life.
Functional medicine overlaps with naturopathic medicine, but the two are not the same thing. Naturopathic medicine is a licensed profession in Maryland, while functional medicine is an approach that clinicians from several professions use. The article on functional medicine vs naturopathic medicine explains where they meet and where they differ.
Who practices functional medicine in Maryland
Because functional medicine is not its own license, the person you meet with could be a medical doctor, an osteopathic doctor, a nurse practitioner, a chiropractor, or a naturopathic doctor. Each of those clinicians can only do what their own license allows. That is why the most useful question is not whether a practice calls itself functional medicine, but who you will actually see, what training they have, and how they coordinate with the rest of your care.
In Maryland, you can confirm a physician, physician assistant, or naturopathic doctor license with the Maryland Board of Physicians practitioner search. Nurse practitioners are licensed by the Maryland Board of Nursing, and chiropractors are licensed by the Maryland State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Checking a license takes only a minute, and it tells you exactly what kind of clinician you are considering.
You can see what that check looks like on Dr. Kneessi’s Maryland Board of Physicians license profile, which shows his active naturopathic doctor license, number J0000060, and the collaboration and consultation agreement on file with the Board. Some clinicians also list functional medicine training, such as courses from the Institute for Functional Medicine. That training is worth asking about, but it is a course of study rather than a license, so the license lookup still comes first.
How a naturopathic doctor fits alongside your other care
Maryland licenses naturopathic doctors through the Maryland Board of Physicians. Licensed NDs have graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical program and passed national board examinations. Since October 1, 2025, Maryland law has also required every practicing naturopathic doctor to keep an active collaboration and consultation agreement with a Maryland-licensed physician on file with the Board.
In Maryland, naturopathic doctors do not serve as primary care providers. Dr. Kneessi’s role is to spend time on the bigger picture, explain what he sees in plain language, and help you bring good questions to your other providers. If you want the details on licensing and scope, the naturopathic doctor in Maryland page and the article on what a naturopathic doctor does in Maryland walk through them.
Functional lab testing, explained
Lab work is often part of a functional medicine visit, although it is never required to get started. Some people bring recent results from their primary care doctor, and others are curious about specialty panels that look at markers not included in a routine checkup. The guide to functional lab testing for longevity explains what these panels can show, and the biomarkers hub collects plain-language guides to individual markers grouped by body system.
Whatever the test, Dr. Kneessi explains what a result can and cannot tell you, how it fits with your history, and which questions are worth discussing with your other doctors. A single number is always read in context.
Video visits anywhere in Maryland
You do not need to live near Odenton to work with Dr. Kneessi. Video visits are available to anyone who is located in Maryland at the time of the visit, which includes Baltimore City and County, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Frederick, Carroll, Harford, Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, the Eastern Shore, and Western Maryland. Many people do all of their visits by video, and others mix video visits with occasional visits to the office.
The page comparing virtual visits and the Odenton office explains how each option works, so you can choose what fits your schedule.
Functional medicine by video from every part of Maryland
Because video visits are available to anyone located in Maryland, where you live in the state does not limit whether you can work with Dr. Kneessi. Video visits are open to people in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, in Howard County communities such as Columbia and Ellicott City, in Montgomery County communities such as Rockville, Bethesda, and Silver Spring, and in Frederick, Prince George’s County, Southern Maryland, the Eastern Shore, and Western Maryland. The only requirement is that you are physically in Maryland at the time of each visit.
If you would like to meet in person, the Odenton office sits near Route 32, Route 175, and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, so it is a reasonable drive from much of central Maryland, including Columbia, Laurel, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, and Bowie. Many people combine the two by having a first visit in the office and follow-up visits by video. When a lab test is suggested, Dr. Kneessi explains how and where the sample is collected, and he goes through every result with you in plain language, whether you meet by video or in person.
The Odenton office
For in-person visits, the office is at 1350 Blair Drive, Suite HH, in Odenton, inside Odenton Chiropractic. It sits close to Route 175, Route 32, and Route 3, so it is a reasonable drive from much of Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and Prince George’s County, and it is just outside Fort Meade. Parking is available on site.
Functional medicine near you in Anne Arundel County
If you live in Anne Arundel County or nearby, these local pages describe visits for your town and how to get to the office.
- Functional medicine near Odenton, MD
- Functional medicine near Annapolis, MD
- Functional medicine near Crofton, MD
- Functional medicine near Gambrills, MD
- Functional medicine near Severna Park, MD
- Functional medicine near Millersville, MD
- Functional medicine near Arnold, MD
- Functional medicine near Crownsville, MD
- Functional medicine near Davidsonville, MD
- Functional medicine near Bowie, MD
You can also read about a naturopathic doctor in Anne Arundel County, an integrative doctor in Maryland, or browse every location on the Areas We Serve page.
Functional medicine near you across Maryland
People searching for a functional medicine doctor in Maryland often want to know whether they have to drive to a specific clinic. With Move Forward Natural Health, in-person visits are at the Odenton office, and video visits are available to anyone located in Maryland at the time of the visit. That includes people in Anne Arundel County towns such as Annapolis, Arnold, Crofton, Severna Park, Millersville, Gambrills, Davidsonville, Crownsville, Bowie, Odenton, as well as people farther away in Baltimore, Columbia, Rockville, Frederick, Southern Maryland, the Eastern Shore, and Western Maryland.
Each town page explains drive times to Odenton and how telehealth works from that area. If you are still comparing approaches, the article on functional medicine vs naturopathic medicine in Maryland and the guide to finding a naturopathic doctor in Maryland are useful next reads.
How to choose a functional medicine doctor in Maryland
When you compare practices, it helps to ask a few simple questions. Who will I meet with, and what is their license? How long are visits? Will you coordinate with my primary care doctor? How do you decide whether lab work is useful? What will I take home after the first visit? A good practice will be glad to answer all of these before you book. The guide on how to choose a holistic doctor in Maryland has a longer list of questions worth asking.
What working with a functional medicine doctor in Maryland looks like
If you are searching for a functional medicine doctor in Maryland, it helps to know that “functional medicine” is an approach rather than its own license. The clinician you meet with still practices under a state license such as MD, DO, NP, or ND, and can only do what that license allows. Dr. Kneessi is a licensed naturopathic doctor who uses a functional, systems-based approach.
A first visit with him lasts up to 60 minutes, in person in Odenton or by video from anywhere in Maryland. He reviews your history, daily routines, medications, supplements, and any prior labs, and he explains how sleep, stress, meals, digestion, hormones, and energy may connect. You leave with a written, educational plan, and functional labs are suggested only when they would add useful information.
Follow-up visits last up to 30 minutes and are used to go through results, adjust the plan, and decide on next steps together. Dr. Kneessi works alongside your primary care doctor and any specialists you already see. If you want a longer explanation of how this approach differs from a conventional visit, the page on how I work and the article on functional medicine vs naturopathic medicine in Maryland are useful starting points.
How visits work
Every new patient starts with a free 15-minute call. It is a chance to ask questions, share what you are hoping for, and see whether the practice is a good fit, with no pressure to book anything further. The initial consult is a full visit that covers your history, routines, and goals, and you receive a written, educational plan afterward. Follow-up visits review any lab results and adjust the plan as your priorities change.
To make paying for your visit simple, HSA and FSA cards are accepted, and we recommend that you check with your plan administrator about eligibility for your visit.
Not sure this is the right kind of doctor? Start with what you are noticing
Many people never search for the words “functional medicine.” Instead, they search for what they are living with, such as feeling tired all the time, hormones that feel out of balance, or a stomach that never seems settled. If that sounds like you, you are in the right place, and you do not need to know the right medical term before reaching out.
- Low energy and fatigue. We talk through your sleep, stress, nutrition, and daily routine, and we review any lab work you already have so you can see the bigger picture.
- Hormone and menopause questions. We look at how your cycle, stress, sleep, and thyroid labs fit together, and how a natural, whole-person approach can sit alongside your other care.
- Gut and digestive concerns. Bloating, irregularity, and food reactions are common reasons people reach out. We review your history, your eating patterns, and any past testing so you understand your options.
- Thyroid and “my labs are normal but I still feel off.” We walk through your results with you in plain language and talk about whether more information would be useful.
A naturopathic visit is educational and collaborative, and it works alongside your primary care doctor and specialists rather than replacing them. If you are having new, severe, or sudden symptoms, please see your primary care doctor or seek urgent care first. For a longer explanation, read What kind of doctor should I see for fatigue, hormones, or gut issues?
The easiest first step is a short, free conversation to see whether the practice is a good fit.
Have thyroid questions in particular? Read Thyroid Doctor in Maryland: A Natural, Functional Medicine Approach.
Frequently asked questions
Is functional medicine a license in Maryland?
No. Functional medicine is an approach, not a separate license. In Maryland it is practiced by medical doctors, osteopathic doctors, nurse practitioners, chiropractors, and naturopathic doctors, and each of them works within the scope of their own license. You can look up any of those licenses with the Maryland Board of Physicians practitioner search.
How do I check a functional medicine doctor’s credentials in Maryland?
Start with the clinician’s license, because functional medicine itself is not a license. Physicians, physician assistants, and naturopathic doctors can be looked up on the Maryland Board of Physicians practitioner search, nurse practitioners through the Maryland Board of Nursing, and chiropractors through the Maryland State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. After that, ask about any functional medicine training they have completed.
Is Dr. Kneessi a medical doctor?
No. Dr. Ryan Kneessi is a licensed naturopathic doctor (ND), not an MD or DO. He earned his ND from National University of Health Sciences in 2013, holds an active naturopathic doctor license in Maryland, and uses a functional medicine approach in his practice.
Can I see a functional medicine doctor by video anywhere in Maryland?
Yes. Video visits are available to anyone who is located in Maryland at the time of the visit, so you can meet from Baltimore, Frederick, the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland, or anywhere else in the state.
Do you see functional medicine patients outside Anne Arundel County?
Yes. Video visits are available to anyone located in Maryland, including people in Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, Frederick, and Prince George’s counties, Southern Maryland, the Eastern Shore, and Western Maryland. In-person visits take place at the Odenton office.
Will you work with my primary care doctor?
Yes. In Maryland, naturopathic doctors do not serve as primary care providers, so Dr. Kneessi works alongside your existing doctors rather than replacing them. He is glad to write a short summary of your plan that you can share with your primary care doctor.
Do I need lab work to get started?
No. Many people begin with a conversation about their history and routines. If lab work would add useful information, Dr. Kneessi will explain which tests he is considering and why before anything is ordered.
Does insurance cover functional medicine visits with a naturopathic doctor?
Naturopathic doctors in Maryland are not currently able to contract with insurance companies, so visits are paid directly. Some people submit receipts to their plan or use HSA or FSA funds, and it is worth checking with your plan first. The 15-minute introductory call is free.
Where is the office?
The office is at 1350 Blair Dr Suite HH, Odenton, MD 21113 (inside Odenton Chiropractic), and the phone number is 443-510-1339. In-office and virtual visits are available Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and Monday and Friday are virtual only. Virtual visits are available for anyone located in Maryland.
What happens at a first visit with a functional medicine doctor in Maryland?
With Dr. Kneessi, the first visit lasts up to 60 minutes, in person in Odenton or by video from anywhere in Maryland. He reviews your history, routines, medications, supplements, and any recent lab work, and you leave with a written, educational plan. Functional labs are optional.
Is a functional medicine doctor in Maryland the same as a medical doctor?
Not necessarily. Functional medicine is an approach, not a separate Maryland license. The person you see may be an MD, DO, NP, or ND. Dr. Kneessi is a licensed naturopathic doctor who uses a functional approach, and he is not an MD or DO.
Are HSA and FSA cards accepted?
Yes. HSA and FSA cards are accepted for visits at Move Forward Natural Health. Whether a visit is an eligible expense depends on your plan and on the reason for your visit, so we recommend that you check with your plan administrator before you book.
Will I receive an itemized receipt?
Yes. Every patient receives an itemized receipt that lists the date of service, the provider, the service, and the amount paid, so you can submit it to your HSA or FSA plan.
Does insurance cover visits?
Naturopathic visits at Move Forward Natural Health are self-pay, and we do not bill insurance directly. We provide an itemized receipt that you can submit on your own, and whether you are reimbursed depends entirely on your plan, so please check with your plan administrator.
Can I see a functional medicine doctor in Maryland by video only?
Yes. Dr. Kneessi offers video visits to anyone located in Maryland at the time of the visit, and many people do all of their visits by video. In-person visits are also available at the Odenton office if you prefer to meet face to face.
How is a functional medicine doctor in Maryland different from an IFM-certified clinician?
IFM certification is a training credential some clinicians complete; it is not a Maryland license. A functional medicine doctor in Maryland still practices under a state license such as MD, DO, NP, or ND. Dr. Kneessi is a licensed naturopathic doctor who uses a functional approach, and you can confirm his Maryland license on the Board of Physicians practitioner search.
Start with a free 15-minute consult
If you are looking for a functional medicine doctor in Maryland and want to see whether a naturopathic, functional approach fits what you are looking for, the simplest first step is a free 15-minute consult. You can schedule your free consult here.
Looking for a functional medicine doctor in Maryland?
In person in Odenton, MD, or by video anywhere in Maryland.
The office is at 1350 Blair Dr Suite HH, Odenton, MD 21113 (inside Odenton Chiropractic), and the phone number is 443-510-1339. In-office and virtual visits are available Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and Monday and Friday are virtual only. Virtual visits are available for anyone located in Maryland.
This page is educational and is not medical advice. Dr. Kneessi works alongside your existing doctors and does not replace your primary care provider.
The simplest first step is a free, no-pressure conversation.
