Functional medicine
A healthy life is not defined by the absence of disease, but rather by the presence of vitality with a balanced physical and mental well-being.
Functional medicine is a personalized and integrative approach to healthcare that addresses the root causes of chronic conditions. This approach is different from the existing conventional model that merely treats the symptoms with chronic prescriptions. According to the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM, USA), which is considered the gold standard of training in the field, functional medicine is defined as “a personalised, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the root causes of disease.”
Functional medicine does not reject conventional (standard) medicine; instead, it uses conventional medicine as a foundation on which to add new elements in the assessment, management, and prevention of chronic conditions, always finding and treating the root cause.
Functional Medicine
Why Is Functional Medicine Needed?
Society is experiencing a dramatic rise in the number of people suffering from complex, chronic conditions that affect their everyday lives, functioning, and well-being. The conventional approach implies that the patient's problems are permanent and that their symptoms must be controlled with a lifetime of ever-increasing prescriptions. However, in today's society, people need a new approach that embraces their healing by addressing the root cause of the problems rather than perpetually treating only their symptoms. Functional medicine provides that approach. This evolution in the medical approach better addresses 21st-century healthcare needs.
Integrative, Personalised, And Patient-Centered Approach
- Identifies the root cause of health concerns, not just the symptoms
- Considers triggers like poor diet, stress, toxins, and allergens
- Looks at contributing factors such as sleep, relationships, and emotional wellbeing
- Treats the whole person, not just the diagnosis
- Doctor and patient work as active partners in the treatment plan
- Uses genetic and lifestyle analysis to personalise treatment
- Includes botanicals, supplements, nutrition, exercise, and stress management, all backed by research
You want a personalized experience
Functional medicine addresses each person individually. Using different methods than a conventional medical doctor ("one size fits all"), a functional medicine doctor will help you figure out which specific treatments are right specifically for you. It involves genetic testing and taking the history of your lifestyle circumstances, psychological, emotional influences, etc.