What is functional medicine

What is functional medicine

Functional medicine is a patient-centered, systems-based approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying the root causes of chronic illness by examining the complex interactions of a patient's unique genetic basis, environment and lifestyle. Instead of just managing symptoms, practitioners look "upstream" to understand the underlying imbalances in physiology and create personalized interventions to restore overall health and well-being.

Key Principles

• Root Cause Focus:

  Functional medicine aims to discover the underlying factors contributing to a person's illness, rather than just treating the symptoms.

• Systems-Based:

  It recognizes that the body's systems are interconnected and that imbalances in one area can affect others.

• Patient-Centered:

  Practitioners listen to patients, gather detailed medical histories, and work with them to develop individualized treatment plans.

• Personalized Approach:

  Treatment plans are tailored to each patient's unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

• Holistic Perspective:

  It considers the whole person, including diet, exercise, stress, sleep, and mental and emotional well-being, along with conventional medical history.

How it Works

• Detailed History:

• Practitioners take an in-depth look at a patient's medical history, lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors.

• Identifying Imbalances:

  They use this information to identify specific physiological dysfunctions, such as hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, or gut health issues.

• Personalized Interventions:

  Based on these findings, practitioners create personalized strategies that may include dietary changes, supplements, detoxification, stress management, and other lifestyle adjustments to correct these imbalances.

• Restoring Balance:

  The goal is to restore the body's natural balance and improve its ability to function properly, promoting health and preventing chronic disease.

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