The Benefits of Functional Medicine

Figure 1 Complex interrelationship among health issues

Sharing the same philosophy with TCM, functional medicine also takes a holistic approach, considering all aspects of your life, such as stress, relationships, sleep, nutrition, etc., that might be affecting your health. That means your treatment plan could include everything from medications to herbal supplements to lifestyle recommendations like diet and exercise. Lifestyle modification can be really challenging

Figure 2 The functional medicine tree

Different from TCM, functional medicine is using science to understand your body and your life. By looking at things like your medical history, genetics, and lifestyle, your doctor can create a tailored treatment plan just for you. This means no more generic solutions – it’s all about what works best for you.

But perhaps the best thing about functional medicine is that it doesn’t just treat your current health issues – it also gives you a roadmap for staying healthy in the future. By understanding why you’re experiencing certain symptoms, you can take steps to prevent them from coming back.

While not a replacement for conventional medicine and not designed to treat “diseases” themselves, functional medicine can be valuable in addressing a wide range of chronic health conditions and promoting overall well-being.