Several health-related experts have hailed the benefits of functional medicine. This evidence-based treatment method treats the whole person and has minimal to no side effects. Additionally, it addresses the root causes of chronic illnesses such as autoimmune diseases, allergies, and gastrointestinal problems. Read the information below to learn more about functional medicine.
It Treats The Whole Person
Professionals who practice Functional Medicine Denver CO focus on addressing the root cause of disease rather than the symptoms. A person’s underlying causes may not be readily visible, but the condition can have many contributing factors. They aim to treat the whole person rather than just a particular disease or ailment. For example, an individual’s digestive system may be compromised, affecting their immunity and mood. The body’s overall state of health depends on these factors. Therefore, only treatments that address these causes will have a long-term effect. Fortunately, functional medicine is gaining in popularity due to its many benefits.
It Has Few or No Side Effects
This means that any given treatment has fewer or no side effects. In addition to eliminating many side effects associated with conventional treatments, patients have reported that they have experienced fewer or no adverse side effects when using a functional medicine regimen. Because of this, many people are opting for this treatment over other methods.
The main benefits of functional medicine include its effectiveness, lack of side effects, and preventative products. A good functional medicine practitioner will prescribe a lifestyle change in addition to taking drugs. These lifestyle changes can reverse chronic conditions and prevent the negative side effects of prescription medications. Because these treatments are not covered by insurance, patients may incur a higher out-of-pocket cost. However, when conventional therapies have failed, functional medicine is worth the extra cash.
Functional Medicine is Evidence-based
The foundation of functional medicine is the understanding that each individual’s biochemistry and genetics are unique and respond to different treatments. Conventional medicine, by contrast, treats illness based on a one-size-fits-all approach. By targeting specific body systems, functional medicine can improve the symptoms of many diseases. The results are often dramatic, and people can experience a full range of benefits.
Patients treated with functional medicine undergo a series of tests that measure a number of factors that can influence health and well-being. The testing may include sleep studies, digestive assessments, saliva cortisol tests (to measure stress and inflammation), nutritional testing, heavy metals, and mold exposures. They may also consult with a meditation instructor, herbalist, massage therapist, or acupuncturist. These tests are often combined with a personalized treatment plan.
It Addresses The Root Causes of Chronic Illnesses
The modern epidemic of chronic illness has many roots. Lifestyle, food, genetics, and the environment all play roles in causing disease. A practitioner uses a combination of lifestyle changes, exercise, and stress management to address the underlying causes of disease, thus creating optimal health. This approach differs from traditional medicine, which often focuses on treating symptoms rather than the cause.
While conventional medicine tends to treat specific disease symptoms, functional medicine focuses on treating the underlying cause. It focuses on the person’s genetics, family history, environmental factors, and lifestyle to find the root cause of symptoms. Because each individual is unique, a functional medicine practitioner must treat each patient individually. They will use a comprehensive health history and laboratory tests to develop an individualized treatment plan based on the results of these tests.
It is Preventative
In addition to using advanced testing modalities to pinpoint the cause of disease, Functional Medicine aims to promote optimal wellness by rebalancing the body’s systems. By working to achieve optimal wellness, a patient is on the road to better physical and mental health, lower healthcare costs, and improved quality of life. Functional medicine providers often see patients for one hour during their initial consult. This allows them to converse thoroughly and provide solutions to their patient’s needs. Conventional medical providers often see patients for only seven minutes, which does not allow time to establish a rapport or offer personalized solutions. Furthermore, many practitioners of Functional Medicine see fewer patients per day. Consequently, they have more time to spend with each patient. This difference is a significant advantage of functional medicine.
