What is Functional Medicine ?

As our understanding of the human body evolves, so does the way we treat illness and disease. Functional medicine is a cutting-edge, science based healthcare approach that considers the whole person, not just their symptoms.

Functional medicine practitioners consider the body a complex system rather than a collection of separate parts. They understand that everything in the body is connected and that imbalances in one area can lead to problems in another.

For example, individuals who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome may also have gut dysfunction and hormonal imbalances.

While traditional medicine may only treat fatigue, functional medicine practitioners would look at all of these imbalances and develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all of the underlying causes.

The primary focus of functional medicine is on treating the person as a whole – rather than attacking symptoms of the disease. It’s about addressing the root of the problems rather than masking them with medicine-only treatments.

This holistic, science based approach often leads to better results, as it addresses the underlying causes of illness rather than simply treating the symptoms.

Read on to learn more about functional medicine and how it can improve your health !

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is a systems-oriented approach to healthcare that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all bodily systems. This holistic approach looks at the whole person – rather than just their symptoms – to identify and treat the underlying causes of illness.

While holistic medical practices have existed for millennia, the term “functional medicine” was first coined in the 1990s. Functional medicine is now practiced by healthcare providers worldwide and is gaining popularity as more people seek complementary and alternative medicine options.

This means that functional medicine practitioners take into account a person’s lifestyle, diet, environment, and stress levels when assessing their health. This in-depth survey can help in addressing the root problems that many individuals deal with daily.

By considering all of these factors, practitioners can develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the underlying causes of illness – rather than just treating the symptoms.

This reality is seen clearly in the prescription drug epidemic sweeping the United States. Recent studies have found that anywhere from half to 70% of Americans take at least one prescription drug. Even more alarming is recent research that has found almost 20% of children under 18 take a prescription medication, including those for depression, anxiety, and ADHD.

Utilizing medicine as a primary treatment course can often do more harm than good. In many cases, the side effects of prescription drugs are worse than the condition they are meant to treat. Meanwhile, the prescription drug market continues to surge – with predictions of global revenue nearing $50 trillion by the end of the decade.

While medication can be a beneficial treatment option in some cases, it is often overused and can lead to more harm than good. Functional medicine practitioners take a different approach, looking at the whole person and identifying the underlying causes of illness before resorting to medication.

Functional Medicine: A Human-Centered Focus

Many functional medicine practitioners describe their methods as “human-centered” care. This means that they consider each person’s circumstances when assessing their health.

To illustrate this methodology, consider high blood pressure – a leading cause of heart disease.

Conventional medicine often relies on medication to lower blood pressure. A conventional treatment plan may include one or more blood pressure medications, with recommendations to work at lowering blood pressure through lifestyle changes.

Functional medicine practitioners take a different approach. Rather than simply prescribing medication, they will work with the patient to identify the underlying causes of high blood pressure – such as stress due to hormonal imbalances, poor gut health, genetic factors, or nutrient deficiencies.

Once the underlying cause is identified, the practitioner can develop a comprehensive, science based treatment plan that may include lifestyle changes, dietary modification, and supplements – in addition to medication. Throughout the treatment process, the practitioner will work closely with the patient to monitor progress and make adjustments as needed.

As the patient puts the functional medicine plan to work in their life, they may begin to see similar improvements in other areas of their health. This is due to the fact that many chronic illness issues are interconnected – meaning that addressing one condition often leads to improvements in others.

 

Benefits of the Functional Medicine Model

Functional medicine continues to become a preferred healthcare option for many people – due in large part to the focus on treating the whole person. But a patient-centered approach is only one of the many benefits associated with functional medicine.

Other benefits of functional medicine include:

An Emphasis on Prevention of Complex Chronic Disease

Rather than waiting for illness to strike, functional medicine practitioners focus on prevention. By identifying imbalances and addressing them early on, functional medicine can help people avoid chronic diseases altogether.

Studies have shown that functional medicine can both treat current issues and prevent future ones. This allows for not only a better quality of life in the present but also a healthier future.

Improved Patient Outcomes via Holistic Medicine

Functional medicine has been shown to improve patient outcomes – both in terms of physical health and mental well-being. One study found that patients who receive functional medicine care experience fewer hospitalizations, improved blood sugar control, and reduced symptoms of depression.

In addition to improved physical health, patients who receive functional medicine care often report feeling more empowered and in control of their health. They also feel more supported by their healthcare team and have a greater sense of overall well-being.

A More Personalized Approach to Disease Treatment

Functional medicine is a person-specific based approach to healthcare. Because each person is unique, each functional medicine plan is tailored to the individual. This ensures that each person gets the care they need to improve their specific health issue.

In contrast, conventional medicine often relies on a one-size-fits-all approach. This can lead to inadequate care for some and overtreatment for others.

Improved Quality of Life

Functional medicine not only treats chronic illnesses – but it also improves quality of life. 
When patients understand why addressing the root causes of their illness is critical – and are given the tools they need to address it – they often find that their energy levels improve, their moods stabilize, and their overall sense of well-being is enhanced.

What Do Functional Medicine Doctors Offer?

A functional medicine doctor takes a person based approach to healthcare. Rather than focus on treating symptoms, they work to identify and address the underlying causes of disease.

This comprehensive approach often includes:

A Detailed Health History

One of the first things a functional medicine practitioner will do is take a detailed health history. This will help them to identify any imbalances or areas of concern.

Functional medicine practitioners often use a tool called the Functional Medicine Matrix to assess each patient. This matrix helps practitioners to identify which systems in the body are out of balance and need further attention.

Multiple Factor Laboratory Testing

Functional medicine practitioners often order laboratory testing to help them identify imbalances. These tests can assess everything from hormone levels to gut health to determine underlying issues of chronic disease.

Depending on the results of these tests, practitioners may recommend specific dietary changes, supplements, or lifestyle modifications. These tests can also be repeated over time to track a patient’s progress.

Nutritional Counseling

A functional medicine model avoids defining eating habits as simply “dieting.” Instead, they focus on helping patients develop healthy, sustainable eating habits for the long term.

To do this, practitioners often work with patients to assess their current diet and make recommendations for changes. They may also recommend specific supplements to address any nutritional deficiencies. The goal is to educate patients so they can make informed choices about the food they eat.

Supplementation

Functional medicine practitioners often recommend specific supplements to help patients address imbalances. These may include vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other natural substances.

The goal of supplementation is to restore balance and optimize function. Practitioners typically only recommend supplements when they are necessary and at the correct dosage to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Lifestyle Counseling

Functional medicine practitioners understand that lifestyle choices can impact health. They often work with patients to assess their current lifestyle and make recommendations for changes.

These may include suggestions for:

– Improving sleep habits through routine and establishing a regular sleep schedule

– Reducing stress through relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation

– Incorporating physical activity and engagement with nature into daily life

–  Avoiding or reducing exposure to toxins

Functional medicine practitioners understand that these lifestyle changes can be difficult to make. They offer support and guidance to help patients overcome any challenges they may face.

Is Functional Medicine Right For Me?

Functional medicine is a science based approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of disease. This approach can be beneficial for anyone, but it may be especially helpful for people with chronic illnesses or complex health concerns.

If you are considering a functional medicine model, it is crucial to find a practitioner who is experienced and certified in this type of care. Once you find a practitioner you trust, you can work together to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.

Begin Your Functional Medicine Journey with Dr. Khan and Internal Healing and Wellness

If you are ready to experience the difference that functional medicine can make in your life, contact Dr. Khan at Internal Healing and Wellness today.

Dr. Khan is a certified functional medicine practitioner with extensive training in this approach to healthcare. 

He takes the time to get to know each of his patients and develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses their unique needs. His focus on whole-person care ensures that every aspect of your health is considered – encouraging your body’s natural ability to heal.

To learn more about functional medicine or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Khan, contact Internal Healing and Wellness today.