Functional Medicine
Illness isn’t just a set of symptoms. It is a disorder with a specific underlying cause – And healing comes from treating that cause. Enter functional medicine. A holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on the cause of an illness, it combines both traditional and alternative approaches to achieve healing. At the heart of functional medicine is a commitment to understanding how the body’s systems interact, integrating multiple approaches to restore balance, and personalizing care to every patient.
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Benefits of Functional Medicine
Functional medicine has the power to help patients heal completely. Here are three advantages this approach offers over conventional, symptom-based treatments.
Integrative Treatments
Conventional medicine often focuses on a patient’s symptoms, offering treatments that manage the symptoms but ignore the underlying cause. Functional medicine takes into account the interconnectedness of all of the body’s systems, and uses a wide range of treatments to achieve long-term healing.
Personalized Care
Your body, genetics, lifestyle and condition are different from anyone else’s. A cookie-cutter approach to medicine ignores these differences, and can slow healing. Functional medicine, however, creates treatment plans tailored to these unique circumstances. This targeted support provides effective healing for each patient’s specific needs.
Patient Empowerment
You have a role to play in your health journey, and functional medicine empowers you to take charge. By promoting lifestyle changes, educating you on nutrition, helping you to manage stress, and more, this approach enables you to make informed decisions about your health and embrace both treatment and prevention.
FAQs
Learn more about functional medicine so you can discover its potential for your wellbeing.
- What conditions can functional medicine help with?
Functional medicine can address a wide range of health issues, including chronic diseases such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal problems, hormonal imbalances, and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. By focusing on identifying and treating the root causes of illness, functional medicine approaches these conditions from a holistic perspective, often yielding significant improvements in symptoms and overall well-being.
- How is functional medicine different from conventional medicine?
While conventional medicine typically focuses on managing symptoms with medications or surgical interventions, functional medicine takes a more comprehensive approach. It seeks to uncover the underlying imbalances and dysfunctions in the body that contribute to disease, considering factors such as genetics, lifestyle, environment, and nutrition. Functional medicine also emphasizes a collaborative partnership between patients and practitioners, empowering individuals to play an active role in their healing journey.
- Is functional medicine covered by insurance?
Coverage for functional medicine services varies depending on the healthcare provider and insurance plan. While some aspects of functional medicine, such as diagnostic testing and certain treatments, may be covered by insurance, others, such as nutritional counseling or lifestyle interventions, may not be. It's essential to check with your insurance provider and inquire about coverage for specific services. Additionally, many functional medicine practitioners offer flexible payment options and may work with patients to find affordable solutions.