Functional Medicine is a systems-oriented approach to medicine that focuses on:
- Identifying
- Understanding
- Addressing the underlying or root cause(s) of disease
- Empowering patients to take an active role in their health
Functional Medicine is deeply science based and incorporates:
- Genetic science
- Systems biology
- Environmental factors
- Lifestyle factors
Functional Medicine is highly personalized. Rather than simply making a diagnosis and attempting to treat symptoms, it asks:
- “Why do we have this problem in the first place?”
- “Why has function been lost?”
- “What can we do to restore function?”
Functional Medicine Practitioners:
- Concentrate on assessing the underlying causes of complex and chronic diseases.
- Spend extended time with patients listening to their stories.
- At the interactions that influence long-term health/complex chronic illnesses
- Genetic
- Environmental
- Lifestyle factors
- Look to find the root cause involved with function
- A dynamic treatment plan including
- Dietary changes
- Lifestyle changes
- Nutritional supplements
- Therapeutic treatments
- Partner with the patients and encourage active participation in their care
