7 Reasons Why Functional Medicine Is Right for You

Are you tired of taking handfuls of pills in the hope of relieving your symptoms?

Do you have several symptoms but have been unable to receive a proper diagnosis?

Are you tired of being just another face in the crowd at your doctor’s office?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, functional medicine may be the answer you have been looking for.

If you are ready to finally find the underlying cause of your symptoms and find relief, we are here to help! Learn why functional medicine is right for you and how it can transform your life into one of health and wellness.

1. Affordable

Approximately 60 percent of American adults suffer from one or more chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and kidney disease. These may be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle choices.

A functional medicine approach is very proactive and begins by educating patients on the importance of healthy living. Patients can improve their health and delay or prevent future diseases through education and coaching. Rather than spending thousands of dollars on prescription medications, patients can save money by being proactive and controlling their health.

2. Determine the Root Cause Rather than Treat the Symptoms 

Functional medicine is a scientifically backed, patient-centered medical approach that offers personalized care. Your functional medicine doctor works alongside you to determine the underlying causes of your symptoms. Various health assessments and laboratory tests are used in conjunction with looking at lifestyle choices, genetic makeup, and health history to get to the root of what is causing your illness.

Conventional medicine treats the symptoms of an illness rather than determining what caused the disease. Functional medicine looks for the common triggers that increase the risk of developing a health issue. For example, chronic stress, a sedentary lifestyle, a poor diet, and toxin exposure are all known to increase the risk of disease.

3. Education

Realizing that educating and empowering the patient results in an improved quality of life, functional medical doctors start with the basics. When you visit, your doctor explains how your choices impact your health. You learn to incorporate antioxidant foods into your diet to nourish the body and improve your immune system. Additionally, you know how stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, help reduce stress and improve outcomes.

Functional medicine is patient-centered and seeks to ensure each patient understands their diagnosis. All laboratory test findings are discussed in detail. Various herbal supplements and medications may be recommended based on your unique needs.

5. Personalized Health Care

Everyone has a slightly different genetic makeup and requires a customized treatment plan that addresses every aspect of their life. Additionally, individuals enjoy various types of food, experience varying degrees of stress, and have different levels of physical activity, all of which impact their health and are considered when creating a personalized treatment plan.

We want to get to know you inside and out. We want to know your complete life story from birth to the present. This information creates a personalized health plan based on your unique needs. Unlike conventional doctors, who are only in a patient’s room for a few minutes, functional doctors spend an hour or longer during the patient’s initial appointment to take a complete medical history, discuss your current lifestyle, and thoroughly explain your labwork or test results.

6. Scientifically Proven Protocols

Many people think that functional medicine is simply a fancy name for herbal medicine; however, functional medicine utilizes scientifically proven methods to determine the root cause of a patient’s condition. Functional medical doctors collect data about the patient and use the latest laboratory and imaging tests to develop a treatment plan.

Similarly, a patient’s biochemical makeup, genetics, physiology, health history, and lifestyle choices are all considered. At each appointment, your doctor will discuss the progress of their treatment plan, its effectiveness in relieving symptoms, and how your body responds to the changes you are making.

7. Treatment Options

Functional medicine combines the latest scientific discoveries with traditional medicine to create a customized plan for each patient. This multi-pronged approach allows practitioners to treat the patient as a whole rather than just treating the symptoms. Functional medicine offers a wide range of treatment options. Your doctor will examine inflammatory markers and check for hormones to recommend a personalized treatment plan. This may include diet and lifestyle changes, and supplements as part of your plan. Functional medicine uses a variety of treatment methods, including:

• Compounded medications
• Herbal remedies
• Vitamin and mineral supplements
• Health Coaching
• Dietary changes
• Stress management
• Detoxification programs
• Lifestyle modifications
• Prescription medications, when needed

Why Is Functional Medicine Right For You?

Functional medicine doctors create a customized plan based on all aspects of your life. This holistic branch of medicine allows healthcare professionals to work alongside their patients to determine the cause of illness and disease.

Once the triggers have been identified, your functional doctor develops a program that rejuvenates the body, enhances the immune system, and reduces symptoms. This integrative methodology is designed to restore health and improve patient outcomes.

Whether you have been diagnosed with an illness or want to prevent it from occurring, we are here to help! Our integrative specialists use the latest scientific discoveries and age-old proven natural remedies to boost immunity, prevent disease, and improve outcomes. In addition, stress management techniques, dietary changes, increased physical activity, and the importance of sleep will be discussed and added to your personalized regimen.