What is Functional Medicine?

You might have heard the words “functional medicine” buzzing around on the internet lately. It is gaining popularity and if you follow me on Instagram you have definitely heard me talk about it. This is a huge passion of mine, and I believe that everyone can benefit from functional medicine. But first, what the heck is it? Let’s dive in.

So what exactly is functional medicine?

The definition of functional medicine per the Institute for Function Medicine is “an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness.” Unlike conventional medicine, functional medicine uses an individualized approach to patient care through specific lab testing and targeted treatment for each patient. It digs deep into your health history going all the way back to childhood to determine the root cause of disease rather than just prescribing a “pill for an ill.”

Every symptom or problem you are having has a cause. Functional medicine looks to find the cause rather than just treat the symptom. Sometimes there are many causes to the problem. Sometimes there is one cause leading to many problems. Functional medicine providers spend a lot of time with their patients to look at every factor of their life. They are able to spend way more time with their patients than conventional providers. Because of this, you get a specialized treatment targeted at the root cause of your problems rather than just treating the symptoms you are having.

There is a root cause for symptoms such as headaches, gut problems, fatigue, etc. The top three chronic health conditions (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes) are all preventable. Functional medicine addresses the root cause of these diseases thus treating and preventing disease progression.

What do providers use for treatment? Nutrition and lifestyle changes, supplements, medications, light therapy, acupuncture, and many other tools!

Is functional medicine legit?

Heck yes! Functional medicine is backed by science. There is a ton of research and evidence for practice and treatment protocols. In fact, in 2014 the Cleveland Clinic partnered with IFM to open a functional medicine clinic! If you don’t know the Cleveland Clinic is a leading healthcare system for the innovation and advancement of medicine. How cool.

Do functional medicine providers prescribe medications?

Absolutely! But only when necessary. Medications save lives! As a Pharmacist, I know how important medications are. The problem is that medications not only treat problems but also cause side effects. In today’s world medications are thrown at patients left and right to cover up problems without treating the root cause. Polypharmacy (the use of many medications) is one of the biggest problems I see with patients. A lot of times patients are taking medications to treat the side effects caused by other medications. Seeing multiple providers can also lead to unnecessary medications because of problems in communication between patients and providers. This has a compound effect and the patient is left taking 10-20 different medications (yes, that happens) and they aren’t necessary! Not only does this cost more for the patient but it can do more harm than good.

By treating the root cause of a problem, we are able to cut back on medication use. That is a huge win for patients in my book!

How do I find a provider?

My recommendation is to look at the practitioner database from the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). I will link it here! You can easily search their database to find qualified practitioners in your area. IFM is an international organization that sets the gold standard in education and training for functional medicine. They offer one of the only certifications available for MD/DOs, PharmDs, NPs, PAs, and a few other healthcare professionals. It is a pretty prestigious program involving 7 modules, a written exam, and a case report. All practitioners holding this certification are required to pass a written exam every 10 years to renew their certification. All that to say a provider with their credentials has extensive education and training.

I m currently in the process of becoming a certified practitioner through IFM!

Is functional medicine right for me?

Personally, I think it is right for everyone! I truly believe it is the future of medicine. If you are having symptoms and haven’t been able to find answers to your problems I highly recommend reaching out to a functional medicine provider and trying it out!

Now I won’t lie, it takes work on your part to make the lifestyle changes to heal your body. But I am here to show you that it is possible. With time, consistency, and the right tools you can truly heal from the inside out.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would LOVE to chat!