Functional Medicine is a personalized, science based, and holistic approach to health care that both investigates and addresses the underlying root cause of disease.
Functional Medicine is patient-centered medical healing at its best. We address the underlying causes of your health problems (instead of just treating symptoms) so you can get well and stay well without unnecessary drugs or surgery. Instead of classifying patients into disease categories (Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Heart Disease, etc), Functional Medicine looks further upstream at the physiological processes that overtime lead to an imbalance. Today’s conventional medical model is set up in a way that only treats the “tip of the iceberg”, as displayed in this graphic. icebergWhile this medical model works amazingly well for acute care and emergency conditions, it leaves huge gaps in chronic health care management and rarely leads to long-term relief and optimal health. Investigating, identifying, and addressing the underlying causes of physiologic disharmony, as Functional Medicine does, has a much greater chance of resolving a patients health challenges and managing chronic conditions. Using scientific principles, advanced diagnostic lab work, genetic testing, clinical nutrition, nutraceuticals, phytonutrient therapy, and lifestyle counseling, Functional Medicine aims to restore balance of the body’s primary physiological processes. The goal is not just an “absence of disease”, but lifelong optimal health.
How does Functional Medicine differ from Conventional Medicine?
Let me be clear. Conventional Medicine has its time and its place. In emergency conditions such as trauma, infections, stroke, and heart attacks it can and has saved many lives. We are all grateful for these drug and surgical interventions. Where conventional medicine can fall short, however, is in the early detection and long-term management of chronic illness, such as digestive, metabolic, hormonal, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders. The training in the standard model of care is to diagnose a disease and match that disease with a corresponding drug. Matching a drug to a chronic disease is not as effective as knowing what person has the disease. Instead of masking the problem with a drug, Functional Medicine aims to restore proper function so the problem goes away. The Functional Medicine model of patient care incorporates the latest in genetic science, systems biology, and understanding of how environmental and lifestyle factors influence the emergence and progression of disease.
Functional Medicine’s Healing Approach
Simply put, Functional Medicine’s approach to managing chronic health conditions involves two fundamental principles.
- Add what’s lacking in the body to aid its physiology back to a state of optimal functioning.
- Remove anything that impairs the body from moving toward this optimal state of physiology.
Along with a very comprehensive medical screening and physical exam, it is common for Functional Medicine practitioners to use advanced laboratory testing such as genetics, blood, urine, saliva, and stool analysis. For treatment, patients can expect a combination of natural agents (herbs, nutraceuticals, phytonutrients), clinical nutrition programs, advice on lifestyle changes, and spiritual/emotional counseling. Patient education is emphasized in order to empower them to take charge of their own health and understand their role in the healing process.
What conditions does Functional Medicine treat?
In conventional medicine, there’s a doctor for every part of your body: cardiologists for the heart, gastroenterologists for the digestive system, neurologists for the brain, etc. But in functional medicine, we see the body as an interconnected whole, all working together and influencing each other. We understand that in order to treat one part of the body, all of the other parts must also be considered. In working with you as a patient, we take a step back and try to see the big picture. We look for common features and patterns that might link all the health conditions that you might be experiencing. By looking for the commonalities and patterns, we can offer interventions that affect multiple pathways and systems, helping you recover your health faster and more completely.
Our Specialties at Whole Roots Health
Restoring Hormone Balance
Enhancing Fertility
Supporting Pregnancy
Repairing Digestive Health
Do you have any questions?
We would love to hear from you.
