What Is Functional Medicine? Your Guide To Whole Body Healing
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What is functional medicine?
Functional medicine is when doctors seek out the root cause of an illness, rather than just treat the symptoms. It takes a holistic approach that combines both alternative and natural medicines, along with conventional treatments. This whole body solution is a balanced way to heal both naturally and effectively.
As women age, many over 35 find themselves struggling with ongoing health problems that affect their quality of life. They may experience symptoms like fatigue, stubborn weight gain, or chronic pain that merit a fair evaluation; however, when they go to visit their primary care doctor, they’re only given a quick fix to treat temporary symptoms.
This unfair treatment can be frustrating and discouraging, and it was this familiar frustration that motivated me to search for a better solution. After years of facing similar issues, I discovered Functional Medicine.
Functional Medicine, unlike many traditional medicine practices, uncovers the root causes behind the symptoms of chronic disease and embraces holistic care for the whole body.
If you’re ready to discover a new way to care for your body, keep reading to find out how functional medicine can improve your health.
Key Takeaways
Functional medicine takes the whole person into account, not just their symptoms. Doctors rely on detailed health histories and lab tests, and also consider the patient’s lifestyle and environment to discover root causes of disease.
This holistic approach often combines both conventional treatments and alternative solutions like vitamins or nutrition.
Personalized treatment plans are common in this type of medicine. Certain foods, stress management techniques, supplements, massage therapy, chiropractic care could all be part of the plan, with medications prescribed only if needed.
Many people with chronic conditions, like fatigue, autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndrome, poor gut health, or high blood pressure start turning to functional medicine for lifestyle interventions when more traditional medical approaches are not working.
Patients that get treated by functional medicine providers also have a better understanding of their own health.
What Is Functional Medicine?
The functional medicine model focuses on treating the whole person from a patient-centered approach. When working with a functional medicine doctor, you’ll dig deep into your health history, and your lifestyle choices to create a bigger and better perspective of your current health.
Practitioners may order comprehensive lab tests, bloodwork, or even consider environmental factors to get the full picture. The goal of functional medicine is to find the root causes of disease rather than just managing symptoms.
The functional medicine model of care is often integrated with conventional medicine and occasional prescription medications when deemed necessary. You can see that alternative medicine doesn’t necessarily mean anti-medication. Patient outcomes improve when these methods are combined.
My goal as a functional medicine practitioner is to support my patient’s natural healing process by recommending the right mix of supplements, therapies, lifestyle, and nutrition-based options to allow them to live their best and healthiest life.
How Functional Medicine Addresses Whole Body Healing
Functional medicine focuses on finding the root cause of symptoms and creating personalized treatment plans for patients.
Identifying root causes of illness
When working with new patients, I examine every aspect of your health to uncover what’s truly at the heart of your symptoms and help you achieve long-term wellness.
New patients will undergo an exhaustive review of their personal health record. This includes any past sicknesses, treatments, and how you responded to them.
You’ll also share details of your lifestyle, including your diet, any food sensitivities, exercise routine, average stress level, and sleep quality. Small changes in these areas can create significant enhancements in your health issues over time.
Various lab tests may be necessary, specifically those that traditional providers might normally skip over. These tests can sometimes reveal hidden issues like nutrient shortages or hormonal fluctuations.
Environmental elements are also a piece of the puzzle. I’ll evaluate your exposure to toxins in both your living and working environment.
You’ll also improve your health education, and learn how stress, anxiety, and other mental health conditions might be influencing your physical symptoms.
My goal is not to learn what condition or illness you’re suffering from, but why it exists initially.
Using personalized and holistic treatment plans
After identifying the root causes of the symptoms, I will work with you to create a personalized and holistic treatment plan that adapts to your lifestyle.
This data gives me a clear picture of how your lifestyle factors, diet choices, genetics, and environment are affecting your overall health.
Treatment options may include a mix of both conventional medical care, plus lifestyle changes, therapies, and supplements, depending on your needs. For example, we may prescribe medications if needed but also recommend certain foods as an additional type of medicine.
Massage therapy, chiropractic care and supplements may also become a part of your healing too. These customized plans and lifestyle modifications will become a roadmap you can follow to better health.
Benefits of Functional Medicine
Functional medicine offers many benefits for those looking to improve their overall health. Most importantly, by addressing the root causes of your illness, you’re getting a more comprehensive treatment that considers the full picture of your well-being.
This alternative healthcare practice can help you understand your health condition better, while also allowing you to receive more personalized care. Taking a more holistic approach will also enhance your overall wellness and improve your chances of improved long-term health outcomes.
Begin Your Path To Wellness
Functional medicine is a type of lifestyle medicine that provides a fresh new approach to understanding your health and body. With this whole-body healing method, you’ll receive a personalized treatment plan that gives you the best of both conventional and holistic care methods to meet your health goals.
Working with healthcare providers within a functional medicine program may lead to significant improvements in your health. To learn more about how functional medicine can support your wellness journey and find what works best for you, book an appointment with me to begin the healing process today.
It’s time to enhance your well-being and take charge of your health!
FAQs
Functional medicine is a clinical practice that takes the whole body into consideration when locating the root causes of a patient's health problems. Unlike traditional medicine, which usually focuses on treating symptoms, functional medicine addresses your health needs by considering all aspects of your health and inclucing genetics, environment, and lifestyle.
During your first visit, you will review your medical history in detail. Your doctor may order lab tests to get the information needed to create a plan tailored to your health needs.
Yes, some clinics offer virtual visits. These online appointments allow patients to discuss their health needs from home while still getting personalized care. Follow-up visits may need to be in person, however.
The goal of functional medicine is to prevent chronic diseases by addressing the root causes early. Research has shown that this approach may reduce long-term healthcare expenditures thanks to fewer hospitalizations and less need for expensive treatments.
