What is Functional Medicine? A Whole New Approach to Health

Tired of the usual healthcare routine where you’re simply treated for symptoms and sent on your way?

Functional Medicine takes a refreshing, personalised, and proactive approach. So, what exactly is it, and how does it work? Let’s dive into it!

At its core, Functional Medicine is all about uncovering the root causes of health issues rather than just treating the symptoms. It asks the critical questions: Why are you experiencing these symptoms? What has happened in your life—your environment, food, stress—that has led you to this point? It’s about understanding your body as an interconnected system, with each part influencing the others.

Here’s what sets Functional Medicine apart:

• Root Cause Focus: Instead of just labeling your symptoms, Functional Medicine digs deeper into your biochemistry and personal story to uncover the true cause of illness.

• Prevention: It’s not just about curing diseases but also about preventing them. Functional medicine practitioners work with you to identify potential issues before they become full-blown health problems. It’s about catching those sneaky "blind spots" in your health!

• Personalised Treatment: No one is the same. Your health needs are uniquely yours, and so should your treatment plan. Whether it’s food, lifestyle, or stress management, your functional medicine plan will be customized to fit you perfectly.

• Holistic: Functional medicine doesn’t just examine your physical health. It also considers your emotional, spiritual, and environmental health. It’s about understanding the whole person, not just one part.

  
  

Functional Medicine can help treat a wide variety of conditions, from high cholesterol and digestive issues to autoimmune diseases and mental health disorders. Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome, and even type 2 diabetes can be effectively managed with this approach. It’s also used to address more complex conditions like hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. By identifying the underlying causes—whether they’re environmental, lifestyle-related, or genetic—Functional Medicine offers a tailored treatment plan that aims not only to alleviate symptoms but also to improve long-term health outcomes.

When it comes to hormones, Functional Medicine offers a thorough and precise approach. As a specialist in this area, I focus on identifying hormonal imbalances that can affect everything from energy levels to mood, sleep, and weight. There is a complex interdependence between ovarian, thyroid and cortisol hormones which can get worse in midlife. A deep understanding of these hormonal imbalances and helping optimise them can help with symptom improvement and overall health and wellbeing. 

Hormonal issues often go undiagnosed or undertreated in a one-size-fits-all way, but Functional Medicine looks at the individual, using advanced lab tests including blood tests, Dutch tests, saliva & urine tests, Gut tests. It offers a comprehensive review of lifestyle, diet, and stress to pinpoint the root cause of hormonal disturbances. Whether it’s thyroid dysfunction, adrenal fatigue, or menopause-related changes, Functional Medicine helps restore balance by addressing not just the symptoms, but the underlying factors contributing to hormonal disruption.

Functional medicine combines traditional medicine, alternative therapies, and the latest scientific research to focus on the body as an ecosystem that needs balance. When that balance is restored, the body has a remarkable ability to heal itself.

So if you’re ready to take control of your health and make some lasting changes, Functional Medicine might just be the answer you’ve been looking for!