INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS LLC

What INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS LLC does

International Center for Health & Wellness LLC is a single-physician cash-based functional medicine practice headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida, founded by Dr. Alan Gruning, DO, that diagnoses and treats Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) — also referred to as Biotoxin Illness or Mold Illness — alongside fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Lyme disease and co-infections, post-COVID syndrome, post-vaccine syndrome, environmental toxicity, and hormone imbalance. The practice operates exclusively under the Shoemaker Protocol, a peer-reviewed CIRS framework, and deploys a proprietary diagnostic stack that includes Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS) testing, ERMI/MSQPCR dust sampling and HERTSMI-2 environmental scoring, NeuroQuant brain MRI volumetrics, GENIE transcriptomics, and saliva hormone testing — tools rarely assembled under one roof in conventional primary care. Dr. Gruning is a Shoemaker Proficiency Partner with over 15 years and more than 2,000 biotoxin patients treated in this specialty.

The business model is a cash-only professional services practice with no participation in Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance. Revenue is generated from initial consultations ($500 for a one-hour visit), follow-up visits ($450/hour or $225 per 30 minutes typically every 4–6 weeks), special correspondence letters ($75 per 10 minutes), a $125 NeuroQuant processing fee, and recommended supplements and binders dispensed via Fullscript and partner pharmacies (typical patient spend of $200–300/month on supplements and ~$100/month on CSM binder). The practice accepts in-person visits at its Fort Myers office and provides telemedicine in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Kansas, with limited telemedicine exceptions for Ohio, Illinois, Alabama, and Minnesota; patients are largely self-referred after seeing 10–15 (sometimes over 100) prior physicians and discovering Dr. Gruning online or through patient testimonials. Dr. Gruning also founded and operates Christian Medical Ministries, a separate 501c3 nonprofit that runs the only free CIRS clinic in the United States for qualifying low-income patients in Florida. The practice is supported by a small team of approximately five employees including Nurse Practitioner Sara Doyon and CIRS Coordinator Amanda Bussard, and is wrapped in an ecosystem of Surviving Mold-affiliated partners covering coaching (Nutrition with Judy, Simplified Wellness Designs), Indoor Environmental Professionals (Environmental Analytics, StoneCrest Team), HVAC (CoolAir), air purification (Air Oasis), environmental testing (Envirobiomics), nasal MARCONS testing (MicrobiologyDx), and compounding pharmacy (Apothecary Shoppe).

Name

INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS LLC

Legal name

International Center for Health and Wellness, LLC.

Website

https://fibromyalgiafortmyers.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

International Center for Health & Wellness LLC is a Fort Myers, Florida cash-based functional medicine practice founded by Dr. Alan Gruning, DO, that treats Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and related complex chronic illness — including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Lyme, and Long COVID — using the Shoemaker Protocol with advanced diagnostic testing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Functional Medicine / Chronic Illness Treatment

NAICS

Offices of Physicians (6211)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLACAGAG

Chronic Disease Management Pathways (e.g., diabetes, CHF, COPD)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Digital Health & Health IT/Clinical Decision Support (CDS) & Care Pathway Tools

SECONDARYHSADAGAH

Chronic Condition Lifestyle Coaching (Non-Clinical)

Home & Personal Services/Fitness, Wellness & Personal Training/Health Coaching & Lifestyle Wellness

Keywords

• Functional medicine practice
• Chronic illness treatment
• Biotoxin illness care
• Mold illness treatment
• Holistic healthcare services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Myers

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Office Consultation Fees: Cash-based medical practice charging for office visits and consultations. First visit $500 for 1 hour, second visit $450, with follow-ups at $450/hour or $150 per 20-minute increments. Does not participate in any insurance plans.
2. Supplement Recommendations: Recommends supplements through Fullscript online service. Patients are not required to purchase from Fullscript but must ensure quality. Typical costs $200-300/month for supplements.
3. Diagnostic Testing Referrals: Orders diagnostic tests (labs, MRI, NeuroQuant) that patients handle separately with their insurance or as cash patients. NeuroQuant processing fee of $125.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

International Center for Health & Wellness LLC is a cash-based functional medicine practice that diagnoses and treats Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and related complex chronic illnesses using the Shoemaker Protocol. The practice serves individual patients suffering from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Lyme disease, post-COVID syndrome, post-vaccine syndrome, environmental toxicity, and hormone imbalances, offering extended 1-hour consultations, advanced diagnostic testing, and physician-led treatment plans.

Product overview

The International Center for Health & Wellness is a functional medicine medical practice specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS/Biotoxin Illness) and related conditions. The practice offers a unified approach combining core medical services (CIRS treatment, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Lyme disease, hormone imbalance, environmental toxicity, post-COVID syndrome, and post-vaccine syndrome) with supporting services including telehealth consultations, CIRS coaching, and supplement dispensing via Fullscript. The practice utilizes the Shoemaker Protocol as its primary treatment framework, offering diagnostic services (VCS testing, ERMI, NeuroQuant, GENIE testing) and referring patients to affiliated Christian Medical Ministries for free clinic care for qualifying patients. Dr. Alan Gruning, DO leads the practice as a Proficiency Partner certified in Shoemaker's protocols.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CIRS/Biotoxin Illness Treatment Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), also known as Biotoxin Illness or Mold Illness. Uses the Shoemaker Protocol with diagnostic testing (VCS, ERMI, blood work), binders (CSM, Welchol), and environmental remediation guidance for patients suffering from biotoxin exposure.
• Fibromyalgia Treatment Treatment for fibromyalgia symptoms including widespread muscle pain, fatigue, brain fog, and sleep disorders. Includes comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and holistic treatment addressing underlying causes, with Dr. Gruning believing most fibromyalgia patients have underlying CIRS from water damaged buildings.
• Chronic Fatigue Treatment Treatment for Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), now called Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID). Addresses underlying causes including CIRS, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid, and adrenal dysfunction.
• Lyme Disease and Co-Infections Treatment Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia and associated co-infections including Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Rickettsiosis. Also addresses Alpha Gal Syndrome from tick bites using advanced testing through Igenex.
• Post COVID Syndrome Treatment Treatment for long COVID symptoms including fatigue, headaches, muscle pains, GI problems, and brain fog. Uses Shoemaker Protocol approach with transcriptomic and NeuroQuant studies. Targets the estimated 24 million Americans (10% of adult COVID patients) who develop chronic symptoms lasting over 3 months.
• Post Vaccine Syndrome Treatment Treatment for adverse health effects from COVID mRNA shots. Follows FLCCC Post Vaccine Syndrome protocol to stop spike protein production and remove spike protein from the body.
• Hormone Imbalance Treatment Assessment and treatment of thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormone imbalances using saliva and blood testing. Includes thyroid, adrenal, male and female hormone replacement therapy with bioidentical hormones.
• Environmental Toxicity Treatment Treatment for environmental toxicity from plastics, pesticides, heavy metals, and biotoxins. Includes testing, detoxification protocols, and referral to functional nutritionists.
• Telehealth Services Telemedicine consultations available for patients in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Kansas, with exceptions for Ohio, Illinois, Alabama, and Minnesota. Uses Charm Health secure EHR platform for telehealth delivery.
• Diagnostic Testing Services Comprehensive diagnostic testing including VCS testing, ERMI environmental testing, NeuroQuant brain MRI, GENIE transcriptomics, HLA genetics, blood hormones, cytokine testing, and MARCONS nasal cultures. NeuroQuant processing fee of $125.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98.5% diagnostic accuracy with VCS test combined with symptom scores
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Christian Medical Ministries / Mold Illness Treatment CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Founded by Dr. Gruning in 2010, CMM is the only free medical clinic in the US specializing in comprehensive treatment of low income, underinsured CIRS patients. Dr. Gruning serves as founder, Executive and Medical Director. Provides free and reduced-cost care including comprehensive CIRS medical care, coaching, lifestyle education, and counseling.
• Nutrition with Judy (NwJ)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJudy Cho and her team provide CIRS coaching, online support, and nutritional guidance essential for managing the Carnivore lifestyle while healing from CIRS. Dr. Gruning collaborates frequently with NwJ. Services include laboratory testing packages and comprehensive coaching.
• CoolAir ConditioningcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHVAC contractor trained by Dr. Gruning specifically to care for CIRS patients. Inspects HVAC systems for biotoxin contamination and provides remediation. Critical partner as up to 75% of patient problems originate from contaminated HVAC systems.
• Environmental Analytics (Michael Schrantz, CIEC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndoor Environmental Professional (IEP) certified in the Shoemaker protocol. Expert on water damaged buildings and remediation needed for CIRS patients. Provides virtual consultations and oversees investigation and remediation process.
• StoneCrest Team (Max McCord)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndoor Environmental Professional in Florida used by Dr. Gruning to identify biotoxin contamination sources and direct remediation efforts. Expert on water damaged buildings and specific needs of CIRS patients. Coordinates with Dr. Gruning for safe healing environments.
• Air OasiscoreTechnology or IntegrationIndoor environmental clean air company. The iAdaptAir has been studied with CIRS patients and can reduce symptoms and improve physiological changes including VCS test results within hours. Bipolar 2400 attaches to HVAC system as whole home ionizer. Discounts available through practice.
• EnvirobiomicscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnologically advanced testing company for environmental assessment. Offers ERMI/MSQPCR testing for toxic molds and NextGen Sequencing for bacterial endotoxins and Actinomycetes (FAB). Used for ERMI, endotoxins, and Actino skin/sinus testing.
• MicrobiologyDx (Dr. Joe Musto)coreTechnology or IntegrationLaboratory for nasal MARCONS testing. Specializes in caring for CIRS patients and does testing needed to ensure treatment protocol effectiveness against MARCONS organisms. Supports Christian Medical Ministries free clinic with free testing.
• Apothecary Shoppe (Jacob Veatch)coreTechnology or IntegrationCompounding pharmacy in Colorado providing all prescription medications needed for biotoxin treatment. Keeps up to date on CIRS patient needs and provides cost-effective solutions for CIRS providers nationwide.
• LifeCare (Lillian and Mike Smith)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCertified Lifestyle Coaches providing comprehensive nutritional care and counseling services for complex CIRS patients.
• Simplified Wellness Designs (Jenny Johnson)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFunctional Medicine and CIRS Coach, Proficiency Partner under Dr. Shoemaker. Provides comprehensive support during CIRS treatment process through CIRS Healing Collective group online services and individual coaching. Also offers Christian CIRS Support Group for spiritual healing and prayer.
• Clean Keepers (Bill Staggs)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnvironmental cleaning specialists who help patients decontaminate environments after remediation.
• Surviving Mold (Richie Shoemaker, MD)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe leading international expert organization on CIRS and biotoxin illness. Dr. Gruning is a Proficiency Partner following their published, peer-reviewed protocols. Provides VCS testing, training, and resources for practitioners and patients.
• Christian CIRS NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization of Christian CIRS providers including physicians, nutritionists, IEPs, and coaches. All are members of the Surviving Mold community. Available for consultation to help with healing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Fullscript: Online supplement dispensary platform used by International Center for Health & Wellness to fulfill patient supplement recommendations. Comparable as a key technology/infrastructure partner enabling functional medicine practices' supplement revenue streams.

Direct peers

• Amy Myers MD: Direct-to-consumer functional medicine practice specializing in thyroid, autoimmune, and chronic conditions. Highly comparable as a physician-led cash-based functional medicine practice targeting similar chronically ill patient demographics.
• Surviving Mold: Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker's organization, developer of the CIRS/Shoemaker Protocol that International Center for Health & Wellness follows as a Proficiency Partner. Directly comparable as the leading authority and protocol source for the CIRS treatment niche.
• UltraWellness Center (Dr. Mark Hyman): Cash-based functional medicine practice led by Dr. Mark Hyman treating complex chronic conditions using root-cause, integrative protocols. Highly comparable business model, patient population, and cash-pay direct-to-consumer approach.

Emerging players

• Kresser Institute: Functional medicine training and patient education platform led by Chris Kresser. Comparable as an adjacent player in the functional medicine ecosystem targeting chronic disease patients with root-cause approaches.
• Parsley Health: Tech-enabled functional medicine practice offering memberships with a chronic disease focus. Comparable as a modernized functional medicine provider targeting complex chronic conditions, though with broader condition coverage and a telehealth-first membership model.

Broad incumbents

• Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine: Major academic medical center's functional medicine department. Comparable as a large established player bringing functional medicine into mainstream healthcare, contrasting with International Center's solo specialty practice approach.
• The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM): The leading training and certification body for functional medicine practitioners. Comparable as the foundational authority in the functional medicine space that defines protocols and credentials used by practices like International Center for Health & Wellness.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9SEJHcGP6wLSHlyyXmdqqw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-center-for-health-&-wellness-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS LLC