What Is Functional Medicine

Functional medicine is the new phrase to describe an approach to healing that is patient-centered and values getting to the root of the problem by often using natural treatments, dietary changes, and self-care at home.

People who practice functional medicine look at the interrelationships between body systems, the mind, and the spiritual/energetic component of being.

We often will interpret traditional labwork from the lens of the ideal, rather than the lens of pathological/non-pathological. We also use other lab tests that can pick up early changes in the body that can help guide treatment before a process has developed into pathology.

Functional medicine practitioners often see cases that befuddle biomedicine (standard medicine). Because we are looking for ideal function, our standards for intervention are different. For instance, for us, it is not good enough to poop a couple times a week. It is not normal to have pain with your period. It is not normal to forget as we age.

If you want to feel great in your body and mind now and going into the future, functional medicine could be a good option for you. For functional medicine to be effective, you must be willing to care for yourself on an ongoing basis at home. Functional medicine is not for everyone because it does require more from you. However, if you want to shoot for the ideal self, it could be for you!