What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a relatively new field of medicine that is concerned with identifying and treating the underlying causes of disease, rather than just treating the symptoms. Functional medicine doctors focus on restoring balance and function to the body as a whole.
Functional medicine practitioners use a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment. They focus on the whole person, not just their symptoms. This approach takes into account the individual’s lifestyle, environment, and overall health. Functional medicine practitioners use a variety of methods to diagnose and treat patients, including tests and treatments that target specific problems.
Functional assessments can include tests to assess physical function, such as walking and standing ability; mental function, such as memory and attention span; and overall well-being, such as energy level and quality of life. Functional medicine interventions may include lifestyle changes, supplements, and medications.
What Are the Principles of Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a medical approach that emphasizes the use of foods, supplements, and other lifestyle interventions to restore and maintain health. The principles of functional medicine emphasize the role of the body’s own systems in health and disease, and the use of traditional and nontraditional methods to identify and correct imbalances.
The principles of functional medicine include the following:
- The body is composed of systems that work together to maintain health.
- The body’s ability to function optimally is determined by the balance and coordination of these systems.
- The body’s systems can become dysfunctional due to a variety of factors, including environmental exposures, lifestyle choices, and genetic predispositions.
- Functional medicine practitioners use a combination of conventional and non-conventional diagnostic and treatment methods to restore balance and optimize function in individual patients.
What Are the Benefits of Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a type of medicine that focuses on restoring health by addressing the underlying causes of disease. This approach takes a biopsychosocial perspective, which means that it considers the physical, emotional, and social aspects of a person’s life. As a result, many of our clients experience benefits separate from the original condition or disorder that caused them to seek help.
The benefits of functional medicine include:
- Improved overall health.
- Reduced inflammation.
- Improved digestion and absorption.
- Improved energy levels.
- Improved mood and anxiety levels.
Since each person is different the benefits you might experience from working with a functional medicine approach will also differ. However, the peace of mind you feel knowing that your whole body is being considered is what many of our clients say they appreciate the most.
How to Find a Functional Medicine Doctor or Clinic?
Even though functional medicine is a relatively new field, a growing number of practitioners and clinics are choosing to specialize in it. In addition, many organizations, like ours, provide options for people who want to consult virtually.
Use search engines to find a functional medicine doctor near you
Any search engine is a good place to start looking for a functional medicine doctor. Compared with conventional clinics, functional medicine emphasizes a different approach to understanding the whole body and therefore, most clinics and practitioners will make it very clear on their website and in their marketing if they use a functional medicine approach. Therefore, one of the easiest ways to begin your search is online with your favorite search engine.
Be specific when searching online for a functional doctor to work with. For example, use extra words within your search phrase to describe the area where you live. Try including your city or neighboring cities.
Search for a functional medicine doctor near you on the IFM website
Another great resource that promotes a functional medicine approach is, as its name implies, the Institute for Functional Medicine. Use the “Find a Practitioner” button to locate someone near you. However, be mindful that the search results will give you a list including both IFM certified practitioners and IFM members.
When to consult with a Functional Medicine Professional
If you are experiencing significant health problems, it is important to consult with a professional schooled in the functional medicine approach as soon as possible. They will be able to help you identify the underlying causes of your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses those causes.
However, you don’t have to be experiencing significant health issues to consult with and benefit from working with a functional medicine doctor. They focus on assessments and identifying root causes before they become problems. Therefore, consulting with someone early on and getting a baseline assessment of your overall health is helpful.
Keep in mind that functional medicine clinics are typically more expensive than traditional medical practices. However, the benefits may be worth it if you are experiencing significant health problems or want to prevent health issues from emerging.
What’s next?
If you would like to learn more about functional medicine and whether or not it could help you, don’t hesitate to contact me for a free consultation.
