What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and treating the underlying causes of disease. Rather than simply addressing the symptoms of a health issue, functional medicine seeks to understand the root causes of the problem in order to create a personalized plan that addresses the unique needs of each individual person.

Functional medicine recognizes that the body is a complex system, and that health issues can arise from a variety of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, environment, and nutrition. Rather than relying solely on medications to treat symptoms, functional medicine plans may use a combination of therapies, including dietary changes, supplements, stress reduction techniques, and other lifestyle modifications to address the underlying causes of a patient's health issues.

Functional medicine also recognizes the importance of preventative care. Rather than waiting for health issues to arise, functional medicine works to identify and address potential risk factors for disease before they become a problem. This can include strategies such as optimizing nutrition, managing stress, lifestyle modifications, personalized supplementation and identifying and addressing environmental toxins.

Research has shown that functional medicine can be effective in treating a variety of health issues. For example, a study published in the journal of Global Advances in Health and Medicine found that functional medicine was effective in reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in patients who had previously failed to respond to conventional treatments.

Another study, published in the journal of Complementary Therapies in Medicine, found that functional medicine was effective in improving quality of life and reducing symptoms in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

In addition to addressing specific health issues, functional medicine also places a strong emphasis on preventative care. Identifying and addressing risk factors for disease through genetic screening and testing can help patients avoid developing health issues in the first place.

Overall, functional medicine is an approach to healthcare that recognizes the importance of treating the whole person, rather than just focusing on a specific symptom or health issue. By working collaboratively with your primary care physician, functional medicine can help individuals achieve optimal health and wellbeing.