What is Functional Medicine ?

 Functional medicine is an approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease rather than simply treating symptoms. It views the body as an interconnected system, where every part influences the others, rather than a set of separate organs divided by specialties. Practitioners of functional medicine aim to understand the complex interactions between genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and contribute to chronic illness. 

 Functional medicine is often used to treat chronic conditions,by leveraging lifestyle and diet changes, targeted supplements, and sometimes medications. This approach offers a more holistic and proactive way to support health and wellbeing that traditional Western Medicine that health insurances cover. 

• Individualized Treatment: Each patient’s treatment plan is personalized, considering their unique genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors.
• Root Cause Approach: Instead of just alleviating symptoms, functional medicine aims to discover the underlying reasons for health issues. For instance, it explores why a patient has high blood pressure or anxiety, rather than simply prescribing medication for these conditions.
• Patient-Centered Care: Functional medicine involves close collaboration between the practitioner and patient, with an emphasis on understanding the patient's health history, lifestyle, and goals.
• Integrative Therapies: Functional medicine often combines conventional medical practices with complementary therapies, such as nutritional changes, stress management, and exercise, to promote overall wellness.
• Focus on Prevention: By identifying potential health issues early and managing risk factors, functional medicine aims to prevent chronic disease and improve quality of life over the long term.