Functional Medicine Colville

Functional medicine is holistic approach that identifies and addresses the root cause of the disease rather than just treating the disease. It differs from the conventional method and looks at the holistic approach to working toward a problem. The purpose is to look out for each symptom contributing to your illness. The functional medicine practitioner will look at each factor: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Your diet, hormonal changes, prescription, over-the-counter medications, and lifestyle changes are thoroughly examined. For instance, if you have depression, the conventional treatment method will work toward your problem, whereas functional medicine will work for the underlying cause.

Benefits Of Functional Medicine

• It focuses on patient-centered care
  Functional medicine doctors will get to know you and complete your medical history and lifetime assessment to understand the complete picture. With the help of this assessment, we try to identify triggers, symptoms, and ultimately a plan that can address the root cause.
• It is a multidisciplinary approach
  Functional medicine practitioners will be there for you throughout your journey. You may have access to more than one provider (practitioner, nurse practitioner), dietitian, health coach, or therapist.
• Focuses on chronic conditions
  Functional doctors are beneficial in treating chronic conditions, such as adrenal disorders, dementia, arthritis, asthma, or autoimmune diseases. Older adults are likely to have more complex problems than younger people.
• Focuses on alternative medicine/treatments
  While some doctors prescribe traditional medication, you may also try alternative treatments like meditation or acupuncture.

How Functional Medicine Works

Functional medicine is based on science. The doctor will examine your medical history and complete a life assessment. Remember, these examinations are not simply about giving you medications; it is a holistic approach to look at what’s causing your health problems. In the first visit, the doctor will create a timeline of your health history. Then the next visit will include your dietary and lifestyle support plans throughout your healing. The follow-up visit will be about your gut or digestion health. Nutrient, vitamin, and mineral levels, including your body measurements, are checked to determine how your body performs after the dietary changes. It looks out for your overall health than just your condition.