Creating Health Through Functional Medicine

Functional Medicine is not about treating disease; it’s about creating health. It’s about finding the cause of what’s wrong and working with the body to restore balance and harmony." Jeffrey Bland

Functional medicine is a term that’s gaining attention, but many people aren’t fully familiar with what it means or how it works. Let’s explore what it’s all about.

Functional medicine emerged in the late 20th century as a response to limitations in conventional medicine, which often focused on acute care and symptom management.

The term “functional medicine” was popularized in the early 1990s by Dr. Jeffrey Bland, a biochemist and former professor, who is considered the “father of functional medicine.” In 1991, Dr. Bland founded the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). The goal was to create a healthcare approach that combined modern science with a holistic view of the body, emphasizing the underlying causes of chronic disease.

The core idea of functional medicine is that each individual is unique, and so are the factors contributing to their health. This approach looks at the body’s systems as interconnected, considering genetics, environment, lifestyle, and diet, among other factors, to understand why an individual may be experiencing a particular condition. It focuses on understanding how and why illness occurs and aims to restore health by addressing those root causes.

While the term “functional medicine” may seem modern, the concepts behind it—like personalized care, preventive strategies, and considering the whole person—have roots in ancient medical traditions.

Functional medicine addresses a “whole tree” of health concerns by focusing on the root causes of illness,

rather than just treating symptoms. In this analogy, conventional medicine often focuses on the branches (specific symptoms or conditions), while functional medicine looks at the entire tree, including the roots, trunk, and branches. This means it considers the whole body’s interconnected systems, such as nutrition, genetics, lifestyle, environment, and mental well-being, to identify and address underlying issues that lead to disease. By addressing the “roots” of the problem, functional medicine aims to restore balance and health throughout the body by looking at the root cause.

One of the most profound differences between conventional and functional medicine is the relationship between the client/patient and the provider. In functional medicine the relationship is a collaborative partnership. The client is seen as the “driver,” actively participating and making decisions about their health journey. The provider acts as the “vehicle,” offering guidance, expertise, and tools necessary to navigate the path toward optimal health. This collaborative a approach empowers the client to take charge of their well-being, making informed choices based on personalized advice. The only way to achieve the best results is through this active cooperation, with both parties working together toward a common goal of holistic and sustainable health improvement

Optimal health begins with the foundations, because no matter how complex your situation may or may not be, neglecting foundational lifestyle changes is a missed opportunity. Prioritizing digestion, eating hygiene, sleep hygiene, movement, and hydration is essential. True progress depends on your understanding and willingness to reflect on how your lifestyle habits impact your well-being. Taking responsibility for your daily choices, puts your health back in your hands. This active participation is key to recovery and overall health transformation.

In conclusion

1. Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on addressing the *underlying root causes* of illness, rather than simply treating symptoms.

2. The goal of functional medicine is to promote wellness and optimize health, rather than just managing or suppressing symptoms.

3. Functional medicine practitioners take a patient/client-centered approach to care, focusing on each individual’s unique needs and circumstances.

4. We use a variety of tools and techniques to assess and identify imbalances in the body’s systems, such as nutrition, digestion, hormones, immune function, and detoxification.

5. Based on this information, we develop personalized treatment plans that address the underlying causes of illness and promote optimal health.

6. Functional medicine can be particularly useful for those who are interested in improving their overall wellness and preventing future illness.

By addressing the root causes of health issues and optimizing the body’s natural healing processes, functional medicine can help you achieve and maintain optimal health and vitality.