Functional medicine is a holistic medicine that treats the patient as an individual. This means that different treatments may be necessary for patients who present with the same condition. This is not the case with conventional medicine, which treats the same diagnosis regardless of the presentation. Instead, a Functional Medicine Denver CO practitioner will treat the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms and provide an individualized care plan.
Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine addresses the causes of illnesses rather than just treating the symptoms. In this approach, doctors address underlying imbalances in the body, such as poor gut health, nutritional deficiencies, exposure to environmental toxins, genetics, and other factors. This approach can also work in conjunction with traditional methods of treatment. For example, a patient with chronic headaches may undergo nutritional therapy, massage, and acupuncture treatments.
While it is difficult to achieve perfect health, taking care of your body and mind is essential for maintaining a long life. The best care can help prevent chronic illness and lengthen your life. In addition, by incorporating different forms of treatment, you can ensure your total health.
Holistic Approach
A Holistic approach to functional medicine aims to find the root cause of illness. This may involve a micronutrient deficiency, a thyroid problem, or a medication reaction. This approach also examines the interconnectedness of various ailments, including arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and depression. Whether the symptoms are acute or chronic, a functional approach to health care helps the patient understand what is causing their symptoms and what they can do about it.
A holistic approach to health involves a partnership between the patient and physician, addressing all aspects of the patient’s life. A holistic provider may be a medical doctor, osteopath, naturopathic physician, chiropractor, or homeopathic practitioner.
Genetics
The Genetics and Functional Medicine Approach take a molecular biology approach to health care. It looks at our genomes’ structure and function and how they interact with the environment. This knowledge can help design targeted interventions. These interventions can target specific problems that lead to disease. In addition, genetics can play a role in determining which medications or treatments will be most beneficial for your condition.
The approach incorporates diet, exercise, and genetics into care. The combination of these factors can lead to significant improvements in your health. In addition, functional medicine approaches use the latest scientific understanding to find the root cause of illness and create an individualized treatment plan. The process also emphasizes the importance of personal values.
Lifestyle Factors
Functional medicine is a type of health care that looks at the whole body to find the underlying causes of illness. This approach emphasizes lifestyle factors and environmental influences in the prevention and treatment of disease. Practitioners use a system-oriented system to address the causes of sickness and involve the patient in their treatment.
Functional medicine practitioners combine traditional Western medicine with alternative approaches to treat chronic diseases. Their treatment focuses on restoring the balance of the body and addressing inflammation, toxin exposure, and stress. They use specialized laboratory tests and lifestyle interventions to determine the cause of the disease and how to treat it. Those who practice this approach also often prescribe nutraceuticals, botanicals, therapeutic diets, and stress management techniques.