How Did Functional Medicine Start?
Functional Medicine was founded in 1991 by Drs Jeffrey and Susan Bland. It was born out necessity from Conventional Medicine’s ineffective drug-based model to address chronic diseases. They began to envision a result oriented, patient-focused and natural systems based model
From their years of treating patient’s, they began to realize that most of their patient’s health issues were caused from genetics, lifestyle choices, environmental exposures and stress related issues. From these observations, they created a comprehensive “whole person” approach that more accurately found the root causes of many chronic diseases and more importantly, they were able to restore healthy function by addressing the physical, mental and emotional needs of all their patients.
Dr. Bland is a internationally recognized leader in the field of nutritional medicine. He is also the co-founder of The Institute of Functional Medicine. Because of consistent and effective results he achieved, Functional Medicine slowly and steadily has grown in popularity and has become a “go-to” for people who want to don’t want to be on prescription drugs in order to feel better.
What is The Difference Between Conventional Medicine and Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine defines itself as a Holistic approach to treating chronic illness. It utilizes diagnostic lab tests with specific parameters based on scientifically backed studies for optimal functioning and well-being. These lab tests are unique because instead of focusing the results for diagnostic purposes, they focus on detecting the underlying root cause of the chronic illness.
This creates a distinction between conventional medicine and functional medicine
With conventional medicine, after it runs tests is to diagnose the disease, the doctor then provides pharmaceutical medication to treat the symptoms of the disease.
The big problem with this method of today’s philosophy of modern medicine is that the underlying root cause of the disease is still remains in the body.
The main distinction of the labs is the ranges that are used to read the labs are different
Conventional lab ranges are based on a statistical bell curve average based on unhealthy individuals. So when you are told your lab results are normal yet you are constipated, gaining weight, can’t sleep, difficulty staying focused, experiencing pain at several joints or feeling irritable more and more, it is confusing to hear everything is normal.
The problem is that you have been told you are “normal” because you have been compared to other “unhealthy” people who have labs done.
Basically, you’re “normal” compared to sick and ill people
Whereas, Functional medicine’s labs are designed to find the root cause of the person’s illness. And the beauty of that is when we know the root cause, we can provide the appropriate treatment that not only will stop the person’s symptoms, but will also reverse the illness. As an example, this is done by removing toxins or rebalancing deficiencies in the body that was found in their lab tests. The lab results are the key to provide custom guidance of functional medicine protocols, supplements and an appropriate eating program to address that individual needs.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Conventional medicine has a definite place in medicine. In fact, convention medicine is great at treating acute-based injures such as a fractured bone, acute infections, wound treatment. However, it is fair to say conventional medicine has failed at treating chronic illnesses such as weight issues, hormonal issues, thyroid issues, diabetes, high blood pressure, digestive issues, autoimmune issues, low energy and chronic joint pain.
Typically, people with these issues chronically have the following symptoms:
difficulty sleeping
acid reflux,
constipation
gassy/bloated
difficulty losing weight
brain fog
skin rashes/skin tags/acne
joint pain
and mood swings
The Problem:
Most people try to address these issues by themselves at first with over the counter pills and then start going to the doctor who provides pharmaceutical drugs to stop the symptoms. At best, the drugs provide temporary relief but they won’t fix the problem. They merely provide a band-aide type of approach.
And, the biggest problem with taking prescription drugs is that they all have side-effects. You end up having to take more drugs to address the side-effects. Does this sound familiar? That is because it is way too common.
So Here’s the Take Home Distinction
This is where Functional Medicine comes in. It has become the ANSWER for a lot of people who are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Functional Medicine is branch of medicine who’s time has come. Since 1991, it has developed excellent diagnostic systems.
These lab tests ranges are designed to detect when your body is not in its optimal ranges to be functioning normally. The ranges are smaller and stricter than those in conventional medicine. The Functional Medicine ranges reflect the “sweet spot” where the body is able to function normally. So when you are out of these ranges these markers become red flags that are like a road map leading me to identify the root cause of your health issues that have caused the abnormal symptoms you are experiencing. The functional medicine ranges are the actual ranges that your body functions at its best.
The goal of functional medicine is to get you “functioning” again. That is why it is called Functional Medicine.
Finding these out of range biomarkers are the underlying root cause and they explain why you are experiencing the abnormal symptoms that you are. Whereas, conventional medicine lab ranges are averages of people who have that diagnoses. The conventional lab ranges are not aiming at optimal health whereas functional/integrative health does.
Why Is Functional Medicine Also Known As Integrative Health?
Functional Medicine is a whole-person approach. It involves addressing the mind, body and spirit.
We not only look at objective data that is found on the functional medicine labs but we also take the time to listen to you and find out what other things are going on in your life that may also be out of balance.
We address these issues on an as needed basis.
The bottom line is that we treat you as a whole person. This is why we are called Integrative Health Care Practitioners.
The holistic mind-body approach may include:
customized eating and nutritional program
customized exercise program
targeted natural supplements to balance in the body as per lab testing
personal development to achieve goals
relaxation techniques for stress relief and a good night’s sleep
restore the person to a normal and active lifestyle.
As an Integrative Health Practitioner, when I find what’s out of the optimal range, I then can figure out why it’s out of range.
I then can easily provide the corrections needed to restore the balance and function of your body.
Again, the distinction of true health is finding and addressing the underlying root cause to “fix” the problem and restore your whole body to its natural and normal balance.
To find out more information of how I can help you with my program called, “Finding your root cause”, visit my website: www.enroot2wellness.com.
author: Eileen Fee, IHP