Finding a doctor who believes in Functional Medicine is a challenge, but I am fortunate enough to tell you that I found one: Life is a Gift, Health is a Choice, and Choices have Consequences.
In the past month, I have had a Dopler Ultrasound of my lower leg, an X-ray of my lower leg and hips, a CT scan of my spine, and a head ultrasound of my thyroid to determine if the nodule in my thyroid was cancerous. Fortunately, it was confirmed to be non-cancerous.
On Friday, I am scheduled to have an MRI of my spine and head to assess whether the vertebrae in my lower back and neck are compressing the nerves, which is causing acute femoral nerve pain and limiting my ability to stand and walk for any distance. Additionally, nerve compression in my neck has reduced my arm and hand strength and affected my fine motor skills. I’ve lost the ability to walk my usual 10 kilometres before breakfast and to type or write; thankfully, I can still use voice-to-text technology.
Functional Medicine is a patient-centred approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease rather than simply treating symptoms. This innovative model of care seeks to answer the question, “Why are you ill?” by examining the complex interactions between genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that influence long-term health and chronic disease.
Functional Medicine views the body as an interconnected system at its core, recognising that dysfunction in one area can affect overall health. Practitioners spend time listening to patients, gathering detailed medical histories, and using this information to identify triggers such as poor nutrition, Stress, toxins, allergens, and imbalances in the microbiome. This comprehensive approach allows the creation of personalised treatment plans that address multiple aspects of a patient’s life, including physical, mental, and emotional factors.
The Functional Medicine model evolved from insights gained in nutritional science, genomics, and epigenetics. It employs a systems biology approach, viewing the person within a holistic framework and their health issues within a biological network. This perspective allows practitioners to navigate the complex landscape of illness through physiological pathways and mechanisms rather than focusing solely on isolated diseases.
One of the key principles of Functional Medicine is the recognition that one condition may have many different causes. Conversely, one reason may result in many other situations. This understanding leads to a more nuanced and individualised approach to diagnosis and treatment. Functional Medicine practitioners use advanced diagnostic tools, such as genetic testing and comprehensive blood panels, to assess individual genomic differences and how they interact with environmental and lifestyle factors in complex chronic diseases.
The Functional Medicine approach emphasises prevention as much as treatment. By identifying and addressing risk factors and early signs of dysfunction, practitioners aim to prevent the development of full-blown diseases. This proactive stance is particularly relevant in the face of the growing chronic disease crisis, where more than half of Australians and Americans suffer from chronic health conditions.
Functional Medicine is characterised by several core concepts, including the importance of gene-environment interactions, regulating bodily functions through interactions among organ systems, and the impact of diet, environment, lifestyle, and social experiences on clinical phenotypes. It also recognises the uniqueness of each patient, treating them as an “N-of-1” experience, which means each patient is treated as a unique case, and contextualising their health issues through the perspectives of time and relationships.
Functional Medicine evaluates six core physiological processes: assimilation, defence and repair, bioenergetics, transport, communications, and structural integrity. This systematic approach allows practitioners to comprehensively understand a patient’s health status, provide a thorough and reassuring assessment, and create targeted, multimodal treatment programs.
Functional Medicine combines the best aspects of conventional Medicine with a more holistic, patient-centered approach. While it acknowledges conventional Medicine’s strengths in areas such as emergency care and surgery, it offers a more comprehensive solution for managing and preventing complex chronic conditions. This integrative approach allows practitioners to leverage current scientific knowledge while considering traditional and alternative healthcare perspectives.
The ultimate goal of Functional Medicine is not just to heal disease but to promote a healthy life characterised by positive vitality, energy, joy, gratitude, and balance. It seeks to shift the focus from disease management to health creation, empowering patients to take an active role in their wellness journey and feel more in control of their health.
As chronic diseases continue to rise globally, Functional Medicine offers a promising solution by addressing the underlying causes of illness, promoting prevention, and providing personalised care. This approach represents a paradigm shift in healthcare, moving towards a more comprehensive, patient-centred model that can revolutionise how we understand and treat disease in the 21st century, giving hope and optimism to healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public.
Tomorrow, I will share the importance of the gut microbiome in your health.
