The Functional Medicine model is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness. It requires a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors and leverages that data to direct personalized treatment plans that lead to improved patient outcomes.
By addressing root cause, rather than symptoms, practitioners become oriented to identifying the complexity of disease. They may find one condition has many different causes and, likewise, one cause may result in many different conditions. As a result, Functional Medicine treatment targets the specific manifestations of disease in each individual.”
Functional Medicine focuses on interactions between the environment and the gastrointestinal, endocrine, and immune systems. Functional Medicine Doctor’s utilize very specific lab work to diagnose the underlying cause of the condition and typically prescribe Dietary changes, Nutritional Supplements, Herbs or Homeopathy to address the underlying cause of the condition, not just addressing the symptoms. Recommending appropriate lifestyle changes are also a very important part of Functional Medicine.