Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on treating the symptoms of disease, integrative functional medicine focuses on treating the underlying causes of disease. A personalized, whole-health strategy is developed to help patients heal and maintain optimal function. Non-physician team members also work with patients to help them strengthen and optimize their pillars of health.
Common chronic conditions treated by integrative medicine
Almost six out of ten adults in the United States have some form of chronic illness. These conditions can cause pain, exhaustion, and other physical, mental, or emotional problems.
The conventional medical model has little to offer in treating chronic illnesses. Rather than addressing the root causes of illness, traditional medicine suppresses symptoms, but doesn’t look into the causes.
Integrative medicine is a treatment option that uses both conventional and complementary approaches to improve health and reduce the effects of illness. These treatments address the physical, emotional, and social aspects of health.
Chronic illness is a complex problem that needs individualized care to help heal the body. In order to heal the body, the root cause of illness must be found. Each individual is different and has a unique biochemical makeup. The root causes of illness vary by genetics, environmental exposures, and lifestyle.
Integrative medicine physicians work with patients to identify the cause of their illness and to treat the symptoms of their chronic illness. They use a holistic approach that addresses the body as a whole. Functional medicine is a type of integrative medicine that seeks to correct dysfunction through a systems approach.
Functional medicine practitioners can work alongside other providers, and often teach patients about treatment options. Functional medicine physicians also work to prevent or reduce chronic illness.
Aside from the benefits of integrative medicine, there are also some limitations. Depending on the diagnosis, the cost of treatment will vary. It’s best to discuss the costs with your health insurance provider before beginning treatments.
There are some health insurance policies that cover some of the cost of integrative medicine. But the specific benefits depend on the treatment plan and complementary therapies chosen.
Personalized whole-health strategy
Personalized health strategies, like integrative functional medicine, are designed to provide a personalized plan of care for each patient. These strategies can be used to prevent chronic illness and manage the symptoms of existing conditions. These strategies are based on sound science and include many strategies that contribute to overall health.
Functional medicine is a form of medicine that emphasizes the role of lifestyle and environment in health. It focuses on the prevention of chronic illness over the treatment of acute symptoms. It is also designed to promote organ reserve and address the root causes of chronic illness.
In order to provide a personalized plan of care, integrative medicine practitioners will assess a patient’s lifestyle and health history. They may also review medications and supplements. They may also perform imaging or functional medicine testing to address the root cause of a condition.
In addition, integrative medicine practitioners may also use genomics to create evidence-based patient plans. These plans may address the root causes of a condition, which may include food allergies or an environment that is prone to stress.
Integrative medicine practitioners also may provide a variety of other services. Some providers offer bioidentical hormone therapies, HIPAA-compliant telemedicine, and personal referrals. Some also offer direct care memberships that provide full access to the provider.
Using integrative medicine in conjunction with conventional medicine allows a practitioner to address all of the contributing factors in a patient’s condition. This allows the patient and practitioner to work together to restore optimal health. The patient may also be referred to other health providers.
Integrative medicine combines evidence-based therapies with complementary and conventional health care approaches. It is a holistic form of medicine that aims to restore the healing tools lost through modernization. It is also an open-minded approach that embraces new paradigms.
Focus on optimal function of the body
Unlike conventional medicine, functional medicine is not only focused on identifying and curing diseases, but also on preventing diseases. It works with the patient to design a personalized health-management program that can address individual needs. The goal is to restore the body to optimal function and wellness.
Functional medicine looks at the individual’s history, physiology, and lifestyle to understand the underlying causes of illness. It also examines the complex interactions between the patient’s physiology, genes, and environment. It uses scientific evidence to develop treatment plans for patients. It incorporates alternative medicine when necessary, and uses a combination of medications, nutrition, and stress management techniques.
In addition to the scientific evidence, functional medicine practitioners use the latest diagnostic techniques and prescriptions. These include therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, botanical medicines, and stress management techniques.
In addition, functional medicine doctors have received specialized training, so they can identify the most effective treatments and therapies. They may also perform specialized tests, such as serum analysis, comprehensive stool analysis, saliva and hormone assessment, and urine metabolite testing.
The functional medicine program also includes a lifestyle modification program that couples pharmaceutical science with lifestyle changes. This approach is designed to reduce stress and increase energy. It may include supplements, exercise plans, therapeutic diets, and detoxification programs.
Functional medicine practitioners also look at the patient’s gut microbiome, which is considered to be one of the most important areas to address. This is because the gut microbiome plays a critical role in digestive health and disease. The practitioner also looks at the patient’s environmental factors, such as diet, exercise, and social environment.
Functional medicine is effective in treating and preventing many common medical conditions. It is a viable treatment option for patients of all ages. It can be a good treatment choice for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and fibromyalgia. It can also be effective in treating conditions that are symptom based, such as chronic fatigue, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Science-based approach
Using a science-based approach to integrative functional medicine, doctors are able to identify and treat the root cause of disease. They are then able to promote optimal wellness by addressing lifestyle factors. In addition, they may prescribe therapeutic diets or detoxification programs.
Functional medicine is an integrative practice that considers both the body’s physiology and the patient’s history. It requires a detailed understanding of a patient’s genes, lifestyle and environmental exposures. It uses cutting-edge diagnostic techniques to pinpoint the root cause of illness.
Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healing that promotes long-term health by correcting problems in the body’s organs. It also focuses on optimal cellular functioning and positive vitality. It recognizes that the body is a self-regulating system. It is important to maintain an open communication with your medical provider.
Functional medicine is a personalized approach to healthcare that incorporates modern science with traditional methods. It recognizes that every person is different and is designed to treat each person as an individual. Using this approach, the patient and the doctor work together to develop an individualized plan for healing.
The Functional Medicine model is patient-centered, empowering patients and practitioners to work together to improve their health. It requires a thorough understanding of the patient’s biochemicals, lifestyle and environmental exposures.
Functional medicine treats each person as a unique individual with a specific set of genes. It uses all available data to develop a personalized health-management plan that will achieve optimal health.
Integrative medicine uses a combination of therapies, such as nutritional therapy, medication reduction therapy, herbal medicines, and detoxification therapies. It is not a substitute for conventional medical care. It is a comprehensive education that focuses on treating the whole person.
Non-physician team members help patients strengthen and optimize their pillars of health
Having a non-physician on your team can be beneficial for many reasons. First, it helps to optimize your health. It can also help you find ways to cope with your illness. A holistic approach to health care is especially important for patients dealing with emotionally charged illnesses.
For example, a health psychologist can help you identify stressors and teach you techniques for managing stress. Similarly, a biofeedback device can help improve your mental focus. A health coach, on the other hand, can help you create positive changes.
For many people, having a serious illness serves as a catalyst for change. A wellness approach to health care helps you cope with illness, improves your overall health and boosts your resilience. Some hospitals even have wellness centers or fitness centers.
A Functional/Integrative Medicine practitioner will take a more holistic approach to your health care, integrating conventional medical practices with complementary modalities. The best way to achieve this is to work with a team. In addition to a primary care physician, a functional/integrative medicine practitioner may also include a health coach, a nutritionist or a massage therapist.
In addition to a functional medicine practitioner, you may be able to find an integrative medicine program at your local hospital. A program like this will pay for itself in spades and will most likely be the best decision you’ll make. You might also consider partnering with your hospital to make sure you get the most out of your experience. A good place to start is to see what they’ve got to offer. They might have a wellness center, fitness center, or a meditation center. If you can’t find a program in your area, contact your health insurer and ask if they can recommend one.