What is functional medicine?
You may hear the word “medicine” and automatically think this isn’t for you because 1) you are more than familiar with the traditional methods of the healthcare system and they haven’t worked for you, and/or 2) you are looking for a more natural approach to your health and medicine is too lab-derived.
In either case, let me tell you now, don’t worry! Functional medicine is NOT conventional medicine as we know it.
Functional medicine is better. It is a relatively new discipline in schools around the country that challenges the traditional “put a band-aid on it” protocol of what we consider “modern” medicine.
Those of you who shudder at the word “holistic” and think this will be too hippie-dippie for you, just know that the idea we are presenting is “whole-istic”. As in, functional medicine looks for WHOLE body solutions.
As I studied functional medicine, I fell in love with the concept and dreamt of one day sharing my enthusiasm with the world! And here we are 😊
The Four Pillars of Functional Medicine
Think of functional medicine as a more holistic and patient-centered approach to healthcare.
Instead of just treating symptoms, functional medicine aims to uncover the root causes of health issues.
So, let’s dive into what makes functional medicine better!
1. Personalized Care
In functional medicine, you’re not just a number. It’s all about you, as an individual.
Your genetics, lifestyle, environment, and unique health history are all considered.
Think of it as getting a tailored suit or dress, but for your health. No one-size-fits-all solutions here!
2. Root-Cause Analysis
Imagine you have a leak in your roof.
Instead of just putting a bucket under it to catch the drips (which is like treating symptoms), functional medicine wants to find the hole in the roof and fix it (that’s treating the root cause).
It looks beyond symptoms to uncover the underlying factors contributing to your health issues.
3. Holistic Approach
Functional medicine is like a puzzle where all the pieces are interconnected.
It looks at how different systems in your body are working together, like a well-choreographed dance.
Diet, stress, sleep, exercise, and emotional well-being—they’re all part of the picture.
So, if your gut health is off, it might be affecting your mood or immune system, and functional medicine takes all of this into account.
4. Patient Empowerment
Picture functional medicine as your co-pilot on your health journey.
It doesn’t just tell you what to do; it empowers you to make informed decisions about your health.
It’s like having a trusted friend guiding you, providing you with knowledge and tools to take charge of your well-being.
So, when you step into the world of functional medicine, you’re not just looking for quick fixes or band-aid solutions.
You’re embarking on a journey to discover what’s really going on in your body, to address the root causes of your health concerns, and to work alongside healthcare practitioners who are your partners in this quest for better health.
Remember, it’s all about YOU and your unique path to wellness. F
unctional medicine respects your individuality and seeks to help you achieve your best possible state of health in a way that makes sense for you.
It’s like getting a personalized roadmap to a healthier, happier you!
Traditional vs. Functional Medicine
Let’s look at my own personal example that many are also familiar with: high blood pressure.
*This condition often requires medication, and I am NOT saying that if you are on medication now you should stop. So please don’t think that!*
This is simply an example to help us understand the different approaches.
The Traditional Approach
I have personal experience with high blood pressure, and upon going to the doctor was the immediate prescription of medicine.
The doctor also told me to reduce salt in my diet, and that it would be best to lose weight.
So I was prescribed medicine with no potential end in sight. That was it; I was now a person who takes high blood pressure medication every morning.
Problem solved.
Let’s think about it. What happened in the blink of an eye was that I was prescribed a medication that reduced my SYMPTOM (high blood pressure) but nothing was done to investigate the CAUSE of the problem.
The Functional Medicine Difference
Well, I’m not someone who is “cool” with taking medicine for perceivably the rest of my life, so I sought out other opinions.
Another doctor had the idea of taking a blood sample. After all, knowing what’s going on in our blood is SO helpful to understand our health.
Bingo! I was severely anemic following a recent pregnancy and my body was struggling to get the oxygen delivered.
The result (symptom) was high blood pressure, but the CAUSE was iron deficiency.
The medicine I had been prescribed dealt with the high blood pressure but didn’t do anything to solve the real problem that I needed more iron.
So I began taking iron supplements and began to see my blood pressure improve. We even lowered the dose of the blood pressure medication!
And remember I mentioned a recent pregnancy? Well, who is more stressed out than a new mom?? And guess what stress contributes to?? Yup. High blood pressure.
Look at all of these causes we were finding.
If you can identify the cause, you can often solve the problem. And that’s what we did with functional medicine, a whole-person and systems-based approach.
**Please remember, this is MY personal story and we are all unique. Do not stop any medication without the supervision of a medical professional. But DO look into other opinions, other doctors, who may have functional medicine awareness and can help be detectives of health!
Why Isn’t Functional Medicine More Widespread?
The awareness of functional medicine has been steadily growing, but it’s true that it’s not as widely known as conventional medicine.
There are several reasons for this:
Limited Insurance Coverage
In many countries, health insurance systems are primarily designed around conventional medical treatments.
Functional medicine often involves a more extensive evaluation process and personalized treatments, which may not always be covered by insurance, making it less accessible to some individuals.
Honestly, this is a sad reality.
Traditional Medical Paradigm
The conventional medical model has been dominant for many decades.
People are more familiar with the idea of going to a doctor when they are sick and receiving medication or surgery as treatment.
Functional medicine is a relatively new paradigm, and it takes time for new ideas to gain widespread acceptance.
Lack of Mainstream Coverage
Functional medicine doesn’t receive as much attention in mainstream media compared to conventional medicine.
Medical schools and institutions have historically focused on conventional medicine, and this has contributed to the limited exposure to functional medicine.
This also limits the number of healthcare professionals who are well-versed in functional medicine practices. Find a practitioner here.
Resistance to Change
Change in healthcare can be slow and met with resistance.
Healthcare systems, medical practitioners, and patients are often comfortable with the familiar, and adopting new approaches like functional medicine requires a shift in thinking and practices.
Taking a Pill is Easy
Honesty time. Conventional medicine is often quick to prescribe a pill to alleviate symptoms.
A functional medicine approach may ask you to drastically change your diet, do yoga every day, or do a 3-day juice cleanse, etc.
Ugh. That all sounds like work.
The ease of “treatment” (taking medicine) keeps many patients in the conventional medicine lane.
Despite these challenges, the awareness of functional medicine is increasing as more patients seek alternatives and as the healthcare landscape evolves.
Many individuals are turning to functional medicine because they are looking for more personalized and holistic approaches to their health concerns.
As awareness grows and research continues to support its effectiveness, functional medicine is likely to become more integrated into mainstream healthcare in the future.
How This Site Can Help
In the meantime, you have found this incredible resource!
This website is meant to share the good news, to offer advice and tips on how to incorporate a functional-medicine approach in your own life.
Each new article offers detailed and researched information regarding a topic that just might apply to you.
So please, check back often and subscribe to our email list to receive the latest alerts and updates!
We are honored to be going on this journey with you!
