This week I want to shed some light on what functional medicine is and the benefits when it comes to your care. More and more people are becoming familiar, but I thought it was important to have this discussion, especially if you’re debating to work with a functional medicine practitioner.
Psst – this is your sign to do it.
What is Functional Medicine
First of all, let me give somewhat of an overview of what functional medicine is. This definition is taken straight from the Institute for Functional Medicine, where I gained some of my training.
“As a catalyst in the transformation of healthcare, functional medicine takes a comprehensive, whole health approach to prevention, health, and well-being; treats root causes of disease; and restores healthy function through a personalized patient experience – all while being a vital partner to conventional medicine”.
This is why you might hear me say that my work is “Science Based, Heart Centered, and Personalized”. I might need to add “with a side of woo” ha (even though it really isn’t woo).
Functional medicine is rooted in a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of the body’s systems and focuses on the whole person rather than just treating symptoms.
I like to think of this as physical, mental, and spiritual or body, mind, and soul. It’s all connected.
We cannot have a peaceful mind if we don’t have a peaceful body (and vice versa). And we cannot have a peaceful body or mind, if we are not connecting to our soul on some level – the core of who we are.
Conventional Medicine and the Band-Aid Approach
Many times, in conventional medicine, and this is no shame to them, a medication is given instead to mask what is really happening. I’m sure you’ve either seen it or experienced this, where a medication is given which then causes another symptom or side effect for which another medication is needed to address that symptom or side effect.
I don’t even know if that sentence makes sense, but honestly that’s how I feel about this way of care. It just doesn’t make sense and, in many cases, it’s causes more harm than good. Sometimes it all snowballs into so many medications, one forgets what the original symptom or concern was.
Treating You as an Individual
Functional medicine practitioners will take the time to uncover why the symptom(s) or concern(s) manifested in the first place.
Personally, I spend around 90 mins in my initial consultations, and I know many other functional medicine practitioners who do the same. And as annoying as it may be, my intake form is pretty lengthy and detailed – you’ll see (sorry, not sorry).
This is extremely important so I can develop a tailored treatment plan for each individual. I want to know about a person’s health history, every symptom (some you won’t even realize you have until you fill out the intake form), lifestyle factors (stress, physical activity, sleep, etc), nutrition, past illnesses, past traumas, major life changes that have occurred, their community (family, friends, relationships), genetic makeup, how they spend their time, and so much more. I also address every biological system to see if there are any imbalances within those areas. I love the below quote by Gabor Mate.
“The core of it, which accords entirely with what the science shows, is this: health and illness are not random states in a particular body or body part. They are, in fact, an expression of an entire life lived, one that cannot, in turn, be understood in isolation: it is influenced by – or better yet, it arises from – a web of circumstances, relationships, events, and experiences”.
I Want to Know the Human Being Sitting in Front of Me
How many times have you sat in your doctor’s office, waiting patiently, just for him/her to come in, ask you what’s wrong, and scribble down some notes (barely looking at you) before giving you a prescription and telling you to just call back if nothing changes or to schedule labs in a few months? I get it, I’ve been there.
I also get a lot of clients who share with me that they have either felt pressured or dismissed by their doctor. Some things I share when I start working with someone are 1. There is never TMI (too much information) 2. We are a team 3. It’s always safe to express whatever you are feeling – especially when the tears well up 4. Be open.
Center of Care: The Individual in Functional Medicine
In functional medicine, the individual is at the center of their care. They are empowered to take an active role in their own health and wellness journey. You might have heard the saying, “I’m a guide on the side”. That’s because your body has an innate ability to heal and only you can truly connect to that knowing within yourself.
As a functional medicine practitioner, I get to help you uncover where those imbalances are and guide you on your journey to healing as you take each step.
That’s why I also don’t typically call the individuals I work with patients. I know, me being a doctor, that’s what you would expect but I feel like this word portrays a feeling of illness or being solely reliant on someone else for your healing. As a client, I hope that you feel empowered in my care.
Whether it’s an imbalance in your hormones, a dsybiotic gut, an under functioning thyroid, nutrient deficiencies, toxin overload, metabolic dysfunction, or compromised mitochondrial function, I want to first uncover how we got there and then help to bring everything back into balance.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Tools and Labs
Now this doesn’t mean we’re doing this by only looking at symptoms or lifestyle alone. Functional medicine practitioners also use a variety of tools and comprehensive diagnostic labs and focus on data driven interventions, including nutritional and lifestyle changes, supplements, and in some cases herbs. This is something that I am excited to incorporate soon as I finish my training in this specific area.
These comprehensive diagnostic labs are not typically found in your general practitioner’s (GP) office and many times, they have not heard of them. These labs go beyond conventional testing by assessing a wide range of biomarkers, including markers of inflammation, hormone levels, nutrient status via organic acids, digestive function and microbiome diversity, and genetic predispositions.
By conducting these thorough evaluations, practitioners gain invaluable insights into the intricate workings of the body, allowing for a more precise identification of imbalances or dysfunctions.
This comprehensive approach not only aids in the accurate diagnosis of health conditions but also enables practitioners to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to address the specific needs of each individual. These can also help in prevention of many diseased states and imbalances.
Prevention vs Treatment Only
Functional medicine emphasizes prevention rather than just treatment. By identifying and addressing risk factors before they lead to disease, patients can take proactive steps to maintain optimal health and reduce the risk of chronic conditions. They also assess lab results from a functional perspective.
Let’s take B12 for instance. This B vitamin is essential for overall health including neurological function, red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and energy metabolism. In the context of fertility, B12 is also crucial for ovulation, egg quality, sperm production, hormonal balance, and reducing the risk of complications. That’s pretty darn important!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a client tell me that their doctor told them that their B12 is fine when they are so close to the low end of the range and showing symptoms of deficiency. They are then either give a medication or dismissed like they are just a weak, tired, overworked woman/mom that just needs a vacation and she’ll be fine. Hey, I’m all for the vacation (and agree many times on the overworked piece) but that’s not going to solve the exhaustion, brain fog, memory issues, or the other issues that come with deficiency.
One Example: Organic Acid Testing in Functional Medicine vs Regular Blood Tests
There is a better way of testing B vitamins. Organic acid testing, which most functional medicine practitioners use, can detect subtle deficiencies or imbalances in B vitamins that may not be apparent through standard blood tests.
Since organic acids reflect cellular metabolism, changes in their levels can occur before alterations in blood levels of B vitamins become evident. This can be extremely useful for prevention.
Your GP most likely won’t test organic acids and he/she will probably only test B12 and folic acid. These are not the only two B vitamins and they are all important in multiple functions in the body.
Wrapping it Up
I hope this has helped to understand the important distinction between mainstream healthcare and functional medicine. While valuable in many respects, the conventional medical model often falls short in addressing the complexities of individual health.
Functional medicine prioritizes understanding the interconnectedness of the body’s systems and addresses the root causes of illness. This approach is deeply personalized, focusing on the whole person, while still utilizing the power of date driven interventions.
It isn’t just about treating illness; it’s about nurturing wellness, vitality, and resilience. It’s about honoring the innate wisdom of the body and empowering individuals to reclaim control over their health.
I hope you have the opportunity to work with a knowledgeable, caring functional medicine practitioner who honors you and your precious journey.
Supporting You
To read more about the comprehensive diagnostic labs I use, you can go here.
To read how the microbiome shapes reproductive health, you can go here.
To book a discovery call with me, you can go here. I have a large referral network as well, so if we are not the best fit, I will do my best to refer you to another functional medicine practitioner who might be.
