10 May What is Functional Medicine and how can it help you?

Functional medicine is a discipline that attempts to peel back the layers of disease and illness, and help a person create a state of health and wellness. Before this field of medicine made it’s way to the Cleveland Clinic under the auspice of Dr. Mark Hymen; it originated in Takoma, Washington at the hands of Dr. Jeffrey Bland. Since it’s inception, 1000’s of students have trained in this approach. Which is geared toward the treatment of chronic illness and disease.

Functional medicine draws on everything from genetics, digestive medicine, immunology, endocrinology, toxicology, biochemistry, nutrition, psychology, spirituality and more to unravel the disease process.

Using extensive blood, saliva, and digestive testing and applying a unique mindset and optics; underlying subtle physiological and biochemical imbalances can be detected and potentially addressed.

The classic example sited when describing the distinction between functional medicine and traditional allopathic medical treatments is the “anti-pill.” In medicine we have non-discrete and powerful medications to treat depression, high blood pressure, and general diseases.

These medications are appropriately termed anti-depressants and anti-hypertensives for example, and they are geared to address an identified physiological and biochemical pathway that is driving an illness or symptom. These medications are invaluable and do a great job. However, some times to a fault, as they may result in unwanted side effects. Functional medicine attempts to address these potential issues, by taking a softer approach, using nutritional products, supplements, dietary and life style changes to promote wellness and healing.