What is Functional Medicine and Who Can it Help?
Functional Medicine redefines disease and care of the patient with chronic illness. The “traditional” symptom-focused medical paradigm tends to deal with particular symptoms and areas of the body, once at a time and/or separately – with one patient visiting different specialists. Medical specialists typically focus on a treatment that addresses the symptom(s) while the underlying functioning of the body’s interrelated systems can remain unaddressed. This model of treatment is successful for acute care, but might not be fully effective for patients with chronic illness.
My Story
In 2005, I was suffering from debilitating fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, joint and muscle pain, hair loss, bloating, depression, unstable emotions and much more. In short, I was miserable. As a long-time chiropractor and believer in natural healing, I sought natural treatment but still found it was focused on addressing my many symptoms. Each practitioner surveyed my symptoms and gave me a vast array of treatments, but never addressed what was causing all these symptoms. I was at the breaking point when I happened upon a nutritional seminar that led me to exploring a lot of different avenues and researching my underlying issues. Eventually, I discovered Functional Medicine and found healing after a long journey.
After my experience, I had to pursue studying Functional Medicine. I received my certification as a Naturopathic Physician, which has allowed me to help thousands of patients who were often at the end of their ropes trying to find help.
Functional Medicine Defined
Functional Medicine uses a systems approach to address the underlying causes of chronic illness. It is a lab-based, objective model that you can rely on. Treatment plans are based on proven supplement protocols, producing predictable results.
When Functional Medicine Can Help
Functional Medicine is helpful for patients who are suffering from chronic illness. Some common issues that cause patients to seek help include: reproductive issues (infertility, PMS, menopause), chronic fatigue/sleep issues and mood (depression, anxiety, instability), and digestive problems (IBS, heartburn inflammation, food allergies, leaky gut syndrome).
Naturopathic medicine has been around for over 20 years and is really taking off in the U.S. Body & Soul is glad to be on the cutting edge of the functional medicine movement in China and to offer patients comprehensive wellness solutions. Functional medicine is the newest addition to the list of integrative treatment methods we offer. Click here to schedule an appointment with Andrea and find out how functional medicine can benefit you.
By Andrea Brisson