Functional medicine practices focus on the root cause of disease. This holistic approach in addressing chronic conditions can change the lives of many.
Whether you live with a chronic condition or not, you’re probably familiar with conventional Western medical practices. The traditional path is goes something like this:
Something feels wrong? Here’s a pill to fix it (or not).
Of course, medications are critical for many diseases and save lives. However, not every ailment can be eased with medication. Especially from my experience with chronic inflammation. It is essential that with conventional treatment, those with complicated systems supplement their care by looking at the body as a whole.
Most importantly, recent research shows that an alternative approach to medicine can supplement good health and improve quality of life for people suffering from chronic illness.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine determines how and why illness occurs. It is designed to restore health by addressing the root causes of disease for each individual. The practitioner considers the patient as a whole. This means how your mind, body, and lifestyle interact to determine well-being. All factors that contribute to good health.
Many believe that this practice is the future of medicine. Medical doctors have noticed the benefits and efficacy of integrative medicine. Slowly, they are adopting a more holistic approach to treating patients.
In fact, functional medicine relies on a combination of conventional and alternative medicine to diagnose and treat each patient. It relies on a foundation of conventional Western medicine.
In addition, functional medicine practitioners use alternative healing practices, such as acupuncture, herbs, yoga, exercise, chiropractic, and more.
How I Discovered Functional Medicine
Before finding a functional medicine practitioner, I was prescribed almost ten different medications by conventional medical doctors. There were amazing doctors, and those who did not have the time to find the root cause. Not only did most of these pills not solve the problem, they actually left me feeling worse. I was affected by new side effects every time.
Eventually, I had to become my advocate. Immediately I was tired of the quick-fix approach.
The more I read, the more I saw how nutrition, lifestyle, stress, biochemical problems, and environmental factors influence symptoms. Eventually I went to find a functional medicine practitioner.
Functional Medicine determines how and why illness occurs and restores health by addressing the root causes of disease for each individual. "
-The Institute of Functional Medicine
Who Should Seek Out Care
Those with complicated chronic conditions such as autoimmune disease or cancer would benefit from seeing a practitioner. Functional medicine practitioners obtain additional tests and look at the body holistically. It is a complementary way to achieve optimal health.
Where to Find Integrative Centers at Top Medical Centers in California
As a result, alternative medicine has been increasingly popular in the 21st century. Today in California, the top universities in provide integrative medicine centers such as:
- Susan Samueli University of California Irvine Integrative Health Institute
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Harvard Medical School
- UCLA Collaborative Center for Integrative Medicine
- Center for Integrative Medicine at UC San Diego
- Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University
Some of the most popular medical doctors who specialize in functional medicine are:
- Dr. Mark Hyman, MD, who is the board president for the Institute for Function Medicine
- Dr. Andrew Weil,MD, a Harvard graduate that is the founder and director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
- Dr. Amy Myers, MD, a New York Times bestselling author and founder of her own wellness company.
- Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNS, an author and founder of the popular website draxe.com which is one of the most popular natural websites in the world.
How Do I Find A Functional Medicine Practitioner?
Most importantly, with the rise of Integrative and Functional medicine, the future of these healing practices by looking at the body as a whole is essential to good health.
To find local Functional Medicine Practitioners near you, the Institute for Functional Medicine has their listing here.
What are your experiences with integrative and functional medicine? Please share!
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