Functional Medicine

What is Functional Medicine

Functional medicine is a personalized, patient-centered medical approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of diseases. Rather than only treating the disease, functional medicine considers the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness. It takes into account the unique genetic makeup of each individual, the interactions between genetic and environmental factors, and the body’s fundamental physiological processes to treat and prevent chronic diseases.

Functional Medicine is the next level of traditional conventional medicine. This progressive approach uncovers and addresses the root sources of illnesses, interpreting the body as a complex, integrated system rather than a set of independent organs categorized by medical specialties.

By shifting from the usual disease-centric approach to a patient-centric one, functional medicine treats the person as a whole, rather than an isolated set of symptoms.

Practitioners of Functional Medicine invest time to understand their patients, listening to their histories, and examining the interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that may affect their long-term health and predispose them to complex, chronic diseases. Through this methodology, functional medicine nurtures the unique expression of health and vitality for each person.

What is the Difference between Functional Medicine and Traditional Conventional Medicine?

The primary difference between functional medicine and conventional medicine lies in the methodology of diagnosis and treatment. Traditional medicine tends to focus on the management of diseases by treating symptoms, whereas functional medicine seeks to address the underlying causes of diseases or symptoms.

For instance, conventional medicine often treats diseases like psoriasis, hypothyroid, autoimmune issues with medications that control symptoms. On the other hand, functional medicine practitioners might explore why a patient has these conditions in the first place.

• Is there a nutritional deficiency?
• Could there be an environmental toxin exposure contributing to the illness?
• Is there a genetic predisposition

Functional Medicine is NOT Alternative Medicine: Taking Conventional Medicine to the Next Level

Contrary to common misconceptions, functional medicine is not synonymous with alternative medicine. While both are distinct from conventional medicine, functional medicine isn’t an “alternative” but an
enhancement—it incorporates the scientific rigor and acute-care model of conventional medicine, but also adds a layer of depth to treatment protocols that the traditional system often lacks.

Functional medicine is deeply rooted in science and employs cutting-edge research to understand how the body’s various systems relate to one another. It leverages state-of-the-art diagnostics and contemporary medical practices, but it expands upon these by considering the whole person—body, mind, and environment—to identify the underlying causes of disease.

Why Choose Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine gives you an all-encompassing, collaborative approach to your healthcare. It not only targets the visible symptoms but delves deeper to treat the root cause of your health conditions. It focuses on understanding the unique processes that occur in your body and how they interact with your environment and lifestyle.

This approach allows for comprehensive, individualized treatments that address the whole person, rather than simply focusing on a single disease or symptom.

We are seeing a substantial rise in the number of people battling complex, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroid, IBS, fibromyalgia etc

Conventional medicine, practiced by most clinicians, is mostly oriented towards, diagnosing and treating these and other illnesses. This is not wrong its just not the whole picture. To be clear, treating illness with medication and procedures is necessary and often life saving but it is only part of the picture.

Conventional medicine does not focus or treat root cause and is often not adequately equipped to prevent and treat complex, chronic diseases. In most situations, it doesn’t account for the unique genetic composition of each individual or factors like nutrition, environmental toxin exposure and elements of the modern lifestyle, which directly contribute to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in today’s Western society.

Functional Medicine offers a groundbreaking approach to healthcare, reshaping how we comprehend and address illnesses. Instead of targeting separate symptoms, Functional Medicine addresses the entire system, focusing on the organism as a whole rather than individual organs. This patient-centric approach seeks to pinpoint and treat the root causes of diseases, providing a comprehensive resolution to health issues.

“Upstream Medicine”

The term “upstream medicine” is often used to describe functional medicine. This metaphor is derived from the concept of addressing problems at their source. Imagine you notice a stream of sick fish floating downstream in a river. While conventional medicine might focus on rescuing the fish and treating their illness, an upstream approach—like functional medicine—would swim further upstream to find out why the fish are getting sick in the first place.

In the same vein, functional medicine is designed to address the underlying causes of disease instead of merely treating symptoms or managing disease. It targets the root causes “upstream” in the biological processes, which in turn can lead to the downstream symptoms or disease. It’s about preventing diseases before they happen and understanding why a disease occurred, thereby giving patients a more proactive role in their health.

Science-Based and Data-Driven Treatment

Functional medicine is deeply rooted in science. It employs a systems biology approach, understanding that the body’s systems are interconnected and influence each other. This approach looks at patterns,
functionality, and how everything works together within the body. It uses the latest research findings from the fields of environmental health, genomics,epigenetics, and nutritional science to inform its treatments.

Functional medicine is also data-driven. Practitioners use advanced laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques to identify the root causes of disease. The detailed data obtained guides the creation of individualized treatment plans.

What To Expect From Functional Medicine

It begins with actually listening to the patient…

Patient-focused Care.

The foundation of any functional medicine approach is taking time to ACTIVELY LISTEN to the patient. The functional medicine provider is trained to hear the patients ENTIRE story, leaving no stone unturned.. By actively listening to the patient’s narrative, the practitioner involves the patient in the process of discovery and tailors treatments that cater to the individual’s specific needs.

The next part of the journey is usually followed by the provider RETELLING the patients story back to the patient. This allows the provider to start connecting the dots with a fresh perspective and also allows the patient to add any missing key points.

This is the foundation of any functional medicine treatment plan.

It continues with …

A Personalized Approach.

The duration of treatment in Functional Medicine isn’t standardized.

It varies depending on the individual patient’s health and the nature of their condition. Some health issues may respond within days, while others may take longer to improve, depending on the root cause and the patient’s overall health status. The journey to healing requires time, patience, and persistence, but with Functional Medicine, patients are not alone. They are supported by a team of professionals who act as partners, guides, and coaches on the path to wellness.

A Collaborative Approach

Functional Medicine providers love to collaborate. This team collaboratively reviews each patient’s unique history, considering genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and contribute to complex chronic diseases. They will also be open to communicating with your current health care providers

And If needed specialized testing is done..

Unique Diagnostic Tests in Functional Medicine

Functional medicine incorporates a broad range of diagnostic tools and techniques that may not be commonly used in conventional medicine.

These testing methods are designed to provide a comprehensive view of a patient’s health status and identify any imbalances or dysfunctions that may be contributing to their symptoms. Here are a few examples:

1. Genomic Testing: Functional medicine practitioners use genomic testing to assess a patient’s genetic predisposition to certain diseases and how they may respond to various treatments. Genomic tests provide data at a molecular level, allowing for personalized treatment plans.
2. Comprehensive Nutritional Analysis: This evaluates the levels of essential nutrients in the body and identifies any deficiencies that could be contributing to health issues. It can test for vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and fatty acid imbalances.
3. Hormone Panels: These comprehensive tests can assess a range of hormones in the body, which control various processes from metabolism to mood. Imbalances in these hormones can lead to a wide range of health issues.
4. Gut Microbiome Assessments: Functional medicine recognizes the significant impact of gut health on overall health. Testing the gut microbiome can provide essential information about digestive function, inflammation, infection, and the overall diversity and health of gut bacteria.
5. Toxicity and Detoxification Profiles: These tests can identify the presence of environmental toxins, heavy metals, or chemicals in the body that could be affecting health. They also assess the body’s capacity to detoxify and eliminate these harmful substances.
6. Food Allergy and Sensitivity Tests: These tests can identify immune responses to specific foods that might be causing symptoms and affecting overall health.

Role of Nutrition

In Functional Medicine, nutrition is paramount. Recognizing that food can be medicine or poison, nutritional changes area crucial part in the treatment process. The main treatment strategy often involves significant diet modifications, including the incorporation of foods that aid in reversing disease and the elimination of foods that promote disease and inflammation. Laboratory testing is often utilized to detect hidden food sensitivities, which can be challenging to manage without a nutritionist’s guidance.

In addition to diet, nutrients and supplements may be prescribed to expedite the healing process. However, the treatments used in Functional Medicine are diverse and tailored to the individual. They tackle the root causes of diseases and strive to restore balance and health. This could involve traditional medicine and surgery, or alternative and integrative therapies, depending on what is most beneficial for the patient.

Role of Supplements in Functional Medicine

In functional medicine, the use of dietary supplements plays a significant role as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The philosophy of functional medicine emphasizes that our bodies function optimally when provided with the right nutrients, and when there are deficiencies or imbalances, our health may suffer. This is where supplements can be beneficial.

However, it’s crucial to clarify that in functional medicine, supplements are not used as a replacement for a healthy diet and lifestyle but are instead used to complement these foundational health practices.

Supplements in functional medicine are utilized to complement a healthy diet and lifestyle, targeting specific areas:

1. Addressing Nutrient Deficiencies: Supplements help fill nutritional gaps due to factors like poor diet and modern farming practices. They address deficiencies identified through detailed testing.
2. Promoting Optimal Health: They are used to enhance health by supporting physiological processes, bolstering the immune system, aiding detoxification, and improving gut health.
3. Managing Symptoms and Diseases: Certain supplements, like omega-3s and probiotics, assist in managing health conditions and symptoms.
4. Supporting the Body’s Healing Processes: Supplements like antioxidants and anti-inflammatories support the body’s natural healing and detoxification processes.
5. Personalized Supplement Regimens: A functional medicine practitioner designs a tailored supplement regimen based on a patient’s unique health profile.

Why Functional Medicine is Not Covered by Insurance

While functional medicine is gaining recognition, it is not typically covered by insurance.

We won’t get into conspiracy theories here – but you know why

Conditions Treated with Functional Medicine

Functional medicine can benefit anyone grappling with a chronic condition. Some of the most common conditions we treat include:

• Alzheimer’s disease and dementia prevention.
• Arthritis.
• Asthma.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Brain Fog
• Cancer prevention.
• Cardiovascular disease.
• Diabetes.
• Digestive disorders.
• Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia.
• Environmental and food allergies
• Hypertension
• Hormonal Imbalances
• IBS
• Interstitial Cystitis
• Joint Pain
• Metabolic syndrome, prediabetes and insulin resistance.
• Migraines
• Skin issues (psoriasis, eczema, acne).
• Thyroid disorders.
• Women’s health disorders (PMS, menopause and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).