What is Functional Medicine

What is Functional Medicine?

Often functional medicine (FM) is referred to as root-cause medicine with the goal of understanding the source of a health condition. Once the source is identified and treated, this improves not only the symptoms a patient presents with, but also the many others that stem from it. 

We work alongside our patients to improve their health, but it takes time and effort from each individual to achieve the type of health they are looking for. We are most often using individualized food plans, vitamins and minerals, and often other herbal treatments to help heal the body in the safest and most effective ways possible.

  Here at the Partnered Healing Functional Medicine we believe we need to recognize and appreciate both holistic and allopathic medicine. While we will most often work with treatments that come from real plant or food sources, there are times when modern medicine is needed and utilized to make sure you are receiving the most comprehensive care. 

As an example of how we use FM to address symptoms, let’s look at common bowel complaints.  These often include one or more of the following: irregular bowel movements, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, indigestion, pale colored stool, and a variety of other issues.  A conventional approach to these concerns would be to treat with laxative or antidiarrheal medications, antacids, or antibiotics which may help with symptoms but not fix the underlying problem. 

In reality, most of these symptoms are often caused by an imbalance in the healthy bacteria that are required for digestion and absorption of nutrients.  In addition to potential food sensitivities or allergies, this imbalance causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract which is often the source of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, hashimotos, lupus, asthma, allergies, psoriasis, eczema, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, etc.  Using a FM approach we would use comprehensive stool testing and/or breath testing to identify the types of pathogens and imbalances that are specific to each case.  We would then tailor a treatment plan for you which may involve removing harmful pathogens, replacing digestive properties, repairing with helpful nutrients and antioxidants, reinoculating with pre and probiotics, and rebalancing with better lifestyle choices and activities.  

 Please schedule an appointment if you’d like to learn more about how we can help you.  We are excited to partner with you to help you improve your health and quality of life.