In the simplest terms, functional medicine is a holistic health approach that focuses on addressing the root causes of disease, promoting whole-body wellbeing, preventing and treating disease.
It’s likely that you’ve experienced a traditional doctor’s appointment where the outcomes or the subsequent actions to recovery were unclear. The typical approach may involve prescribing medications to alleviate symptoms or advising a passive “wait it out” strategy until recovery.
They primarily emphasise medications and medical procedures—undoubtedly crucial and lifesaving. However, there might be less emphasis on crucial lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sleep, stress management, and exercise habits.
Root-cause Medicine Functional Medicine
In the simplest terms, functional medicine is a holistic health approach that focuses on addressing the root causes of disease, promoting whole-body wellbeing, preventing and treating disease. The core principle lies in identifying “why is this happening?” before delving into solutions. This philosophy is accompanied by the belief that the human body is a dynamic and interconnected system designed to function harmoniously.
The functional medicine approach involves a broad and deep investigation, taking into account the complete health profile and internal landscape of an individual. This includes diet and lifestyle factors, supported by comprehensive testing. It crafts a unique roadmap for each individual’s recovery, placing a significant focus on fostering resistance to disease for the long term.
The Benefits of Functional Medicine
One of the notable benefits to a functional medicine approach, something I have seen in both myself and clients I am treating, is the well-honed ability to listen to your body. Functional medicine promotes paying attention and giving awareness to your body—encouraging individuals to ask themselves, “How does this make me feel?” on both a physical and emotional level.
These are the factors that contribute to an overall sense of wellness. It develops the ability to recognise the impact of actions or environment factors, a powerful skill to help us identify the source of an issue and optimising lifestyle choices.
Research has shown that chronic diseases stem largely from modifiable factors like diet, lifestyle and environmental influences that activate genes and promote disease. Functional medicine not only targets the resolution of diseases but also prioritises prevention. This involved mitigating known risk factors that foster the development of disease.
Who does Functional Medicine help?
Functional medicine proves beneficial for individuals grappling with chronic health conditions such as autoimmunity, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular issues, digestive ailments, and skin disorders.
For health issues that elude easy diagnosis, an in-depth comprehension of functional testing and a thorough observation of signs and symptoms can help pinpoint and address potential root causes of dysfunction.
Functional medicine is effective in addressing various health challenges and chronic diseases such as anxiety, asthma, allergies, autoimmune conditions (both diagnosed and undiagnosed), brain and mood disorders, cardiovascular disease, children’s health, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, compromised immunity, diabetes, digestive disorders (both diagnosed and undiagnosed), Graves’ Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and hormonal imbalances etc.
What is a Functional Medicine Nutritionist?
A functional medicine nutritionist is a qualified professional operating within the functional medicine framework. At Well Within, we are qualified and adhere to functional medicine principles certified by the Institute of Functional Medicine and The Health Sciences Academy, we are also continually upskilling our professional development to stay abreast of the latest functional testing technologies.
The premise of work of a functional medicine nutritionist is recognising that every individual’s biology is unique, and each approach to treatment should be personalised. Functional medicine aims to address the person rather than just the disease, delving into the “why” behind health issues:
- Why does this disease occur?
- What is the underlying cause?
- Why does this individual exhibit these symptoms?
- How does their unique genetic make-up and life experiences contribute to their health problems?
The Everyday Approach to Functional Medicine
At Well Within, we believe everyone can incorporate functional medicine into their everyday wellness routine. It doesn’t have to be difficult or complex, because our pillars of health are actually fairly simple. Here are some small, mindful habits you can do daily.
- Nourish your body with whole foods to ensure optimal nutrient levels for thriving.
- Cope with stress using simple, accessible tools available when needed most.
- Establish a consistent sleep routine: high-quality, restorative sleep is essential for daily well-being.
- Stay active—our bodies are designed for movement, so find an enjoyable way to exercise regularly for numerous benefits.
- Reflect on yourself—regularly assess how you feel, identify needs, and determine where additional support is required on your health journey.
In addition to establishing a sustainable routine to help you navigate your daily life, you might find valuable additional support by collaborating with an experienced and knowledgeable care team. If you’re in search of a functional medicine provider, we are here to support with a Free 20-mins Clarity call to determine the best fit for your specific needs.
