Functional Medicine
What exactly is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine strives to find the “root” of a medical problem as opposed to only treating symptoms. A close relationship between patient and physician is required to best alleviate any issues. Once all conditions are assessed, a plan can be formed to begin treating the issues and their causes.
What is the process of Functional Medicine?
To begin, a full assessment of the patient’s medical history and current ailments is conducted by the physician. Once the medical history is complete, a physical exam may take place. Finally, labs are processed, and a plan can begin to take shape.
The physician will recommend the necessary lifestyle changes and/or medical practices that will bring the patient back to full health over a certain period of time.
Why Functional Medicine?
Conventional doctors are required to see a certain amount of patients every hour. They do not have time to discover the root of condition, such as weight gain or chronic pain; they simply give you the tools to treat the symptoms as opposed to educatingyou on the lifestyle changes needed to treat your illness effectively.
Education is the key to combating most health issues. By learning what causes your ailments as well as how to treat them (as opposed to just the symptoms), you can live a fuller and healthier life.
With functional medicine, you will discover the root(s) of your illness. And when you get rid of the root, it won’t come back!
The bottom line: No person is exactly the same, so why should your health be treated the same as everyone else’s? A customized health plan that is personalized for your exact needs is the most effective way to combat your condition!
How is Integrative Holistic Medicine different?
Integrative Holistic medicine is an even broader approach, but one that incorporates Functional Medicine. The Integrative Holistic practitioner assesses six areas that affect health: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, Social, and Environmental. Essentially evaluating each patient as a whole system, because in order to preserve or return the body to health all aspects must be addressed together, wholly, at the same time in an integrated fashion. Additionally, Integrative Holistic training includes exposure to, and sometimes training in, all types of medical approaches. For example, Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture/herbs), Homeopathy, Manual Medicine, Energy Medicine, Nutritional Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, and Botanical Medicine (essential oils/tinctures).
In his introductory chapter, “Integrative Holistic Medicine: The Science of Connection”, for the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine’s syllabus, Lee Lipsenthal, M.D. gives the following definition of Integrative Holistic Medicine:
“Integrative medicine is the science combining multiple therapies with the goal of enhancing the patient’s optimal health; whereas holistic medicine is about approaching patients and individuals, living in a life system that impacts their health, with the awareness that you are part of that system.
“Integrative holistic medicine (IHM) then becomes the art and science of healing that addresses care of the whole person–body, mind, and spirit. The practice of integtrative holistic medicine integrates conventional and complementary therapies to promote optimal health and to prevent and treat disease by addressing contributing factors.”
He also outlines the 10 principles of an Integrative Holistic practice.
- Optimal Health
- Learning opportunities
- Teaching by example
- Individuality
- Relationship-centered care
- Integration of healing systems
- Innate healing power
- Prevention and treatment
- Whole person
- The healing power of love
Return to the best version of yourself today
It is possible to get rid of all that ails you—roots and all. Discover Integrative Holistic Medicine and how it can change your life by Contacting us today!