At Restoration Healthcare, our physicians are trained in functional medicine, with the primary purpose of getting to the underlying cause of the physical dysfunction and then working with our patients to resolve the problem. This approach to lifestyle medicine for the treatment of complex chronic illnesses means we search for the upstream causes of downstream symptoms and diseases.
We use functional medicine along with integrative medicine and other complementary disciplines to develop a personalized plan that is communicated between physician and patient. When it comes to dealing with complex health issues, we firmly believe clarity is the most effective way to explain our course of action and work together on a plan of care.
How are Functional Medicine and Integrative Medicine Similar?
Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of disease. It aims to treat the whole person, rather than just the symptoms, by considering the individual’s unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. This approach emphasizes the importance of personalized and patient-centered care, taking into account the interconnectedness of various bodily systems.
At our clinic, we think of functional medicine as a subset of integrative medicine. Both take a comprehensive and personalized approach to healthcare and consider the interconnectedness of various bodily systems. However, functional medicine places a particular emphasis on identifying and addressing imbalances in bodily systems, using a range of interventions such as nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and targeted supplementation.
Functional Medicine and the Patient-Doctor Relationship
We find that when a patient understands our medical approach to treating the root cause of illness, they begin to see how functional and integrative medicine differ from their previous experiences. This shift in perspective has a profound impact on the functional medicine doctor-patient relationship.
Our physicians spend more time with their patients, taking a comprehensive medical history and conducting in-depth interviews to understand the patient’s lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors. This allows us to develop a more personalized treatment plan that is tailored to the individual’s unique needs.
- Whenever we meet, we will decide jointly on the best plan of care. We must be on the same page.
- We will explain how our exploratory holistic methods differ from other medical approaches. For instance, when it comes to inflammation a cause of many conditions, we want to stop the flame. We use the analogy, “It’s the difference between turning off the stove and just putting a lid on a boiling pot.”
- We seek the root cause of your ailment, pain, disease, or disorder to provide the most beneficial solution. We don’t just concur on the best pill or surgical procedure to alleviate the symptoms.
This type of medicine emphasizes patient education and empowerment. Functional medicine doctors act as partners, guiding patients toward making lifestyle changes and taking an active role in their own health. By recognizing a collaborative approach, we foster a sense of trust and teamwork between doctor and patient, creating a more effective and satisfying healthcare experience.
Functional Medicine at the Cellular Level
Functional medicine is based on the body’s cells. By concentrating cells in the muscles, bones, cerebellum, or stomach, for example, we cater to the respective cell’s requirements. For instance, cells all require some fats, quality protein, nutrients, and water.
The best way to describe this is with a typical bicycle wheel with 36 spokes. When one spoke is broken, the entire wheel will be out of balance. And if the broken spoke isn’t repaired, the other spokes will likely become distorted. Soon the wheel is so damaged that the bike becomes useless.
The same holds for the lowly cell. When all of the cells in your body are healthy, they work together to keep you healthy. However, five things can prevent cells from good health and these include toxins, diet, stress, allergies, and infections. Our diagnostic and laboratory tests, extensive patient questionnaires, and medical history inquiries help us discover which issues are affecting your health.
Helping Cells Find a Way Back to Restoration
Functional medicine is based on the cell and its purpose within the human body. We all know that to have a healthy cell there are things that the cell needs. By concentrating on these cells— in the muscles, bones, cerebellum, or stomach for example — we cater to that cell’s particular requirements. For instance, cells all require some fats, quality protein, nutrients, and water.
The same holds for the lowly cell. When all of the cells in your body are healthy, they work together to keep you healthy. However, five things can prevent cells from good health and these include toxins, diet, stress, allergies, and infections. How do we go about discovering which issues are affecting your health?
It’s all about communication. We listen to you; we listen to your body, and we learn and “listen” to your test results to better understand your diagnosis and develop the most comprehensive medical solution. Our functional medicine doctors go to great lengths to get to know you.
What we want to know is your health history from when you were a child. We want to know your family’s health history. We want to know your habits, your diet, and your exercise regimen. How do you handle stress, and what do you do to relax at the end of the day?
And then we ask you two more questions:
- What is it you think you need more of? More sleep, more exercise, more nutritious food?
- And what do you think you need less of? A medicine cabinet full of pills, alcohol, toxins, allergens — maybe diet colas?
Your personal history reveals your environment. And a bad environment can destroy good genes. Our job is to explore your history, habits, and health issues and then make changes to correct what ails you. Indeed, what you eat, drink, think, breathe and touch has a direct effect on your health and lifestyle.
In summary, the term functional medicine is popular among patients looking for a clinic dedicated to whole-person care, especially if you have a tough to diagnosing and treating a condition. At Restoration Healthcare, we use novel diagnostics, sophisticated laboratory tests, functional medicine, and integrative medicine to help our patients find better health. Above all, we listen to your concerns and bring you into the conversation about the best way to treat your body.
- By considering the interconnectedness of the body’s systems, our physicians strive to promote overall wellness and prevent future health issues.
- This comprehensive approach, along with an emphasis on personalized treatment plans, has resonated with individuals seeking a more proactive and individualized approach to the treatment of their complex chronic illnesses.
- We focus on patient empowerment and prioritize patient education and engagement, so our patients can take an active role in their healthcare.
- By providing patients with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their health, we empower them to take control of their well-being.
- This patient-centered approach fosters a sense of ownership and accountability, leading to improved health outcomes and increased patient satisfaction.
Our patients find they learn ways to improve their overall quality of life, not only their acute health issues. By identifying and addressing imbalances before they manifest as symptoms or diseases, we teach them to take a proactive approach to health maintenance. This preventive focus, combined with the potential for long-term benefits, has contributed to the growing popularity of our clinic in treating complex chronic illnesses. If you’re looking for a functional medicine doctor near me who can help you achieve optimal wellness, our clinic is here to support you. Contact us at (949) 535-2322 to set up an appointment today.
