Dr Emily Lacey

Associate Doctor

Dr Emily Lacey is a fully certified Functional Medicine doctor based in Cornwall, recognised for her integrative, patient-centred approach and depth of expertise in root-cause medicine.

With an early career grounded in acute hospital medicine, she has cultivated a practice that blends clinical precision with a holistic, systems-based understanding of human health. Her experiences in high-pressure medical environments highlighted both the extraordinary value of acute care and its limitations in addressing chronic disease, steering her toward a model of care that prioritises time, continuity and deeper exploration of long-term health.

Raised by a psychotherapist, Emily grew up immersed in the language of emotional wellbeing and human behaviour. This foundation, combined with extensive training with the Armed Forces and the NHS in the UK and abroad, has given her a uniquely comprehensive lens through which to view health. She has witnessed, across diverse clinical and environmental settings, how intricately physical and psychological health are intertwined. These formative experiences sparked her enduring fascination with the subtle intersections between physiology, emotion, trauma and environment, shaping her conviction that true healing requires engaging with the whole person.

Emily has completed advanced training with the Institute for Functional Medicine—covering Gastrointestinal Health, Cardiometabolic Health, Immunology, Environmental Health, Hormone Health and Bioenergetics—and is fully certified with IFM. She works with a broad range of medical conditions and is recognised for her ability to trace complex presentations back to disturbances within interconnected systems. With a practice grounded in scientific rigour, compassion and curiosity, Emily views healing as a process of reclaiming balance and agency.

Emily’s clinical interests centre on early detection, prevention and longevity within an integrative model of care. Emily also has expertise in gut health, hormone imbalances, histamine-related problems and energy issues, approaching these areas through the lens of the body as an interconnected ecosystem—from the microbiota within the gut to the wider social and environmental contexts we live in.

This systems-based perspective forms the foundation of her clinical philosophy: rather than isolating symptoms, she seeks to understand how each system communicates, compensates and influences the whole. By restoring coherence between these systems, she helps patients uncover the root causes of their symptoms and move toward sustainable, long-term wellbeing. Emily partners closely with individuals seeking not only answers, but a deeper understanding and personalised medical guidance.

Outside of clinical practice, Emily finds clarity in the natural world. A long history of military expeditions has fostered her love of an outdoor challenge. She describes herself as a “jack of all trades, master of none,” equally content hiking remote mountains, running coastal trails, surfing or training in the gym. Living in Cornwall with her husband, she treasures access to rugged cliffs and beaches. Nature, movement and meaning remain central to her own wellbeing—principles she weaves into her work with patients seeking a more connected, harmonious approach to health.