3 Reasons Why Functional Medicine Works

Healthcare costs are rising, as is the prevalence of chronic illness.  Now, over 50% of adults in the US have a chronic health condition.  Conventional medicine’s narrow focus on diagnosis, data, and symptoms doesn’t dig deep enough.  While this works well for acute illness, the same approach doesn’t apply to chronic illness or preventing health issues.  This is leading practitioners and patients alike in search of a different approach to healthcare.

Functional medicine is patient-centered and views the body as a whole.  It is the medicine that asks “how” and "why" and doesn't stop at "what".  Complex health conditions, such as autoimmune disease, Lyme disease, chronic pain or hormonal imbalances, need a lasting solution.  Functional medicine provides a better answer through its ability to find the root cause.

Instead of viewing patients as just a body, their whole being needs taken into consideration.  This means understanding their needs in mind, body, and soul.  Functional medicine is an approach that includes each patient’s unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle influences on their health.  It means going beyond their lab results and discussing hopes and goals as well. 

A diagnosis answers the question of “what”, but that is just the beginning. Asking “why” and “how” take healthcare further.  It connects the dots so that doctor and patient have the best idea of what is going on and what to do about it.

Here are three reasons why functional medicine works.

Systems

The human body has many systems with innumerable pathways of interconnection between each of them.  The functional medicine lens views SYMPTOMS as a story your body is telling about which SYSTEMS are imbalanced.  Conventional medicine separates each system into a specialty.  This means there is a doctor for each system, and it is uncommon to have communication between doctors. 

Functional medicine understands the relationships between each system and how to address them together, not apart.  Each organ and system do not operate in isolation from the rest.  From this perspective, one condition (depression) has many causes (low thyroid, toxicity, nutrient deficiency, gut imbalances) and one cause (inflammation) leads to several conditions (depression, arthritis, autoimmunity, heart disease).

By identifying the imbalances in each patient’s systems, functional medicine can design a targeted solution to fit each patient’s individual needs.  You don’t need a doctor for every system, you need a doctor that understands how your systems should work together.

Partnership

A Functional Medicine doctor realizes the value in each visit.  The doctor-patient encounter alone is highly therapeutic.  This happens when both parties are present, intentional, and on the same page. This includes discussing the patient’s health goals, identifying obstacles or challenges to their health, educating the patient about their condition, and collaborating to find a plan that works best.  When doctor and patient work together in a partnership it leverages tremendous healing power.  

While functional medicine is evidence-based, it doesn’t force the science on every single patient in a “one size fits all” fashion.  When a doctor allows curiosity and empathy to enter the partnership, it allows for better clinical decisions.  The doctor no longer views the patient as a lab result or a diagnosis.  Instead, patients are valued as a partner to empower and to be empowered by.

Story

What was going on in your life at the time your symptoms started is just as important as the symptoms themselves.  In other words, the conditions going on around you connect to the conditions going on inside you.  A functional medicine practitioner will look at your entire timeline.  They know that your story provides a framework to your health history.  By hearing the context in which the condition or symptoms arose in, it gives more insight and helps better inform the healing strategy.

While genetics have a part in setting people up for certain illnesses, they don’t have the final say.  It is the environment that influences expression of our genes.  Improvements in stress managements, sleep habits, movement and exercise, diet, and relationships will bring out the best in our genes.  This should come as wonderful news!  It places more control back into the patient’s hands on how their healing will go and what wellness looks like.

Summary

Functional medicine offers answers to an overcomplicated, overburdened conventional healthcare model.  It brings solutions that work towards healing and health, not just symptom management.  It places the focus back on the patient with hope and encouragement and away from endless dependency on the healthcare system.

By incorporating functional medicine, plus much more, Cornerstone Wellness can meet your individual needs.  Dr. Cox uses both timeless healing methods and evidence-based approaches to address nutritional needs, home therapies, lifestyle, social networks, and mental-emotional support.  Contact Cornerstone Wellness to get started today!