What is Functional Medicine?

People tend to over complicate really important concepts and ideas.  We assume there is a really big answer for our really big problems. While functional medicine is a concept that houses some amazingly complex understandings as well as ancient healing practices… its context is really quite simple.

The role of functional medicine is to provide a framework for identifying and treating the ROOT CAUSE of disease and suffering.  

Let me give you an example...  If you had a tack in your shoe, would you take a bunch of tylenol and ibuprofen to stop feeling the pain? Or, would you take off your shoe and remove the tack?  

You would obviously remove the tack.

While the above example is relatively simple...finding the root cause of dysfunction, removing the element that is causing harm and then creating an optimal healing environment for the body is the basics of what we are doing in functional medicine.

The Institute for Functional Medicine describes functional medicine as…

“... an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness. It requires a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors and leverages that data to direct personalized treatment plans that lead to improved patient outcomes.”

Unfortunately, the conventional medicine model, while amazing at acute care, has failed many of us with chronic suffering and dysfunction.  In a functional medicine practice we are true investigators into history, physical function, lab analysis and energetics. We use all of our tools and our experience to identify the WHY,  remove it and replace the damage with healing inputs.

The best part? IT WORKS!

A study done in October 2019 in JAMA suggests that functional medicine improves patients’ quality of life!

 “...functional medicine may have the ability to improve global health in patients…..In this study, the functional medicine model of care demonstrated beneficial and sustainable associations with patient-reported HRQoL [health related quality of life].”

The tool box of each functional practitioner can be very different, however, all functional medicine practitioners should have a general understanding and framework for investigating the root cause of disease.

When looking for a functional medicine practitioner you may find a nurse practitioner, like myself, naturopath, nutritionist, acupuncturist, chiropractor, osteopath or an MD.  Each type of practitioner if performing functional medicine should be working from the mindset of …

… what caused this issue? How can I remove the cause or causes? What does this person need to be made whole and heal?

During the healing process you may be asked to make significant lifestyle changes, obtain advanced laboratory data, take herbs and supplements specifically designed to either remove a stressor or to enhance functionality.  This process helps us to slowly peel away layers and get to the core of your issues.

While all of this sounds like a lot… a great practitioner will also be keen to understand your threshold for intervention and meet you where you are.  Great practitioners respect and understand your individual needs. 

In our practice we offer 15 minute free consults so that patients can find a connection with the practitioner before investing their time and resources.  Not all practitioners can offer this as functional medicine is in high demand at this time. However, speaking with someone that can explain the process to you and make you feel comfortable with your decision can be very helpful.

If you are intrigued …please do not hesitate to call or email our office for a free 15 minute consultation to determine whether or not we might be a good fit for you.  

We are seeing both virtual and in person patients at this time.

Beidelschies M, Alejandro-Rodriguez M, Ji X, Lapin B, Hanaway P, Rothberg MB. Association of the Functional Medicine Model of Care With Patient-Reported Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(10):e1914017. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.14017