A Holistic Approach to Healthcare
Functional medicine is a patient-centric approach to healthcare that stands out for its commitment to identifying the true sources of health problems. At Internal Healing & Wellness MD, our team goes the extra mile to explore various facets of a patient's life, aiming to pinpoint the root causes of their symptoms. This approach includes a comprehensive examination of the physical, emotional, and social aspects of the patient's life. By doing so, they create a customized treatment plan tailored to each individual's unique needs.
Emphasizing the Root Cause
One of the primary distinctions of functional medicine is its emphasis on uncovering the root causes of health issues. In conventional medicine, addressing symptoms with medication is often the norm. However, if a symptom is merely a consequence of an underlying problem, such as stress, allergies, nerve issues, or other factors, symptom-focused treatment becomes a short-term fix. Functional medicine practitioners, on the other hand, focus on identifying the reasons behind health problems and aim to restore proper bodily function.
Conventional medicine typically relies on standard protocols once a diagnosis is established. The challenge with this approach is that individuals differ in how they respond to medications due to variations in genetics, environment, and lifestyle. To achieve lasting results, treatment must address the underlying causes while accounting for these individual differences.
Treatment Modalities in Functional Medicine
Functional medicine integrates a wide array of therapeutic options, including but not limited to:
- Exercise
- Meditation
- Supplements
- Diet and Nutrition
- Stress Management
At Internal Wellness & Healing, we also employ specialized diagnostic testing to precisely identify the physical sources of symptoms. These tests may include nutritional genetic testing and gastrointestinal assessments, shedding light on factors like gut bacteria composition and function.
The Functional Medicine Approach
Functional medicine is grounded in systems biology, focusing on the root causes of diseases rather than just treating symptoms. It recognizes that a single symptom or diagnosis can result from a multitude of contributing factors. For example, depression can be linked to various causes, including inflammation, and inflammation can lead to multiple diagnoses. The manifestation of each cause is influenced by a person's unique genetic makeup, environment, and lifestyle. Therefore, lasting relief can only be achieved by addressing the root cause.
The Functional Medicine Model
The functional medicine model has its roots in the integration of insights from nutritional science, genomics, and epigenetics. These leaders within science and healthcare sought to apply progressive research to clinical practice by addressing the underlying causes of disease through low-risk interventions. This approach often yielded significant improvements for patients who had previously received unsuccessful treatments.
A key component of this advancement was a return to fundamental scientific principles, searching for unifying factors at cellular and systemic levels that underlie broad health issues. As interest in functional medicine grew, the need arose to formalize the approach, making it accessible to a broader range of healthcare practitioners. The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) developed tools that structured both the client information collecting process and the mapping of symptoms to the root processes underlying illness. These tools include the functional medicine Matrix, Timeline, and the GOTOIT framework.
Why Should You See a Functional Medicine Practitioner?
Receive Tailored Health Care and Treatment
Functional medicine recognizes the uniqueness of each individual, tailoring treatment to their specific needs. Initial consultations with medical practitioners usually last at least an hour, allowing for in-depth, one-on-one discussions that are distinct from the brief interactions in conventional medicine.
Get to the Underlying Cause of Your Health Issues
Many individuals struggle to find accurate medical answers as they are passed from one specialist to another. Functional medicine practitioners act as detectives, relentlessly seeking solutions for their patients. They don't stop until they've found the root cause and a solution, which leads to more effective solutions that truly work.
Health Education to Empower the Patient
Functional medicine focuses on educating and empowering patients to take control of their wellness and improve their quality of life. Patients are provided with information on topics such as lifestyle, exercise, diet, supplements and natural herbs, stress management, lab test findings, medication management, and diagnoses. Health and wellness coaching sessions may also be recommended to help implement this knowledge into daily life.
Systems-Based, Research-Backed Approach
Functional medicine treats the individual, not just the disease or symptoms. It recognizes that the systems within the body are interconnected. For instance, the gut and brain connection illustrates how various bodily systems affect one another. A systems-based approach ensures that the function of multiple bodily systems is evaluated during the first visit, providing a comprehensive understanding of the underlying issues.
Extensive Treatment Options with Functional Medicine
Functional medicine embraces a wide range of treatment options. Instead of simply prescribing medication, practitioners explore various aspects of a patient's health, looking for root causes rather than treating symptoms alone. This approach aims to understand the "why" behind the health issue.
Typical functional medicine treatments include diet and lifestyle adjustments, health and wellness coaching, natural supplements, personalized treatment plans and medications, and prescriptions when necessary.
Cost-Effective Health Treatment Plans
Functional medicine, also known as holistic, integrative, personalized, or preventive medicine, is inherently cost-effective. Preventing or slowing down diseases can significantly reduce future healthcare costs. For example, functional medicine practitioners proactively address issues like blood sugar concerns, often before conventional medicine would consider them. This proactive approach can save individuals money in the long run.
Functional medicine is gaining ground as a comprehensive approach to healthcare, offering personalized and effective solutions to complex health problems. Whether you seek to resolve chronic health issues or aim to maintain optimal well-being, functional medicine may be the answer you've been looking for. Discover how this holistic approach can transform your health and quality of life by consulting with a functional medicine practitioner.
Whether you seek to resolve chronic health issues or aim to maintain optimal well-being, functional medicine may be the answer you've been looking for. Contact us for functional medicine testing to maintain good health now and in the future.
Book Your Consultation Today
During your first 60-minute functional televisit, we will try to figure out what’s causing your current health problems. Contact us today at Internal Healing and Wellness MD in the Houston area and The Woodlands, we will make sure to provide you with a personalized functional medicine-based treatment plan so that you can begin working towards your goal of a better, healthier life.
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In search of a functional medicine doctor in The Woodlands? Dr. Khan and his experienced team are at your service, ready to help you make life-changing strides toward your health and wellness goals.
Contact Info
Our Location
255 Ed English Dr
Suite A
Shenandoah, TX 77385
Our Schedule
9AM-5PM Monday - Friday
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For functional medicine inquiries, contact our experienced functional medicine doctors. We take a holistic approach to improving health and well-being.