What is Functional Medicine?
“One condition, many causes. One cause, many conditions.” Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D.
Functional medicine is a truly holistic and integrative approach to healthcare. By incorporating an analysis of how all the components of your body work together, the functional medicine practitioner can identify the root cause of your disease and develop a sustainable plan to correct dysfunctions and ensure optimal health. Functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just symptoms. Many different health issues can lead to similar symptoms and similar symptoms can be caused by many different health issues.
The functional medicine practitioner works as a detective: after a thorough review of your personal and familial health history, physical examination and laboratory evaluations, the doctor studies and reviews your file, aiming at connecting the dots to identify the imbalanced core clinical function. This approach allows the practitioner to confidently devise a treatment plan that addresses the underlying cause of disease. Botanicals, supplements, therapeutic diets, exercise plans, functional neurological rehabilitation, detoxification programs, stress management techniques and lifestyle changes are some of the tools a functional medicine practitioner uses to restore health.
According to the functional medicine model, seven core functions are fundamental to keep us alive. These processes are influenced by environment, genes and mental state. When one or more of these core functions are imbalanced due to various reasons (nutritional deficiencies, genetic factors, environmental pollution, mental stress, lack of movement, lifestyle habits, etc.) symptoms arise; if the dysfunction is not corrected and balance restored, disease can develop over time.
“The functional medicine model 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.” – The Institute for Functional Medicine
Here are the seven core functions according to the functional medicine model:
Assimilation (digestion, absorption, microbiome)
Defense and Repair (immune system and inflammation)
Energy (energy regulation and mitochondrial function)
Biotransformation and Elimination (toxic load and detoxification)
Communication (hormones, neurotransmitters, immune messengers)
Transport (cardiovascular and lymphatic system)
Structural Integrity (from cells to bones and muscles)