You may have heard us talk about functional medicine as it is at the core of the American Regenerative Clinic. It is the foundation of everything we do here. But what exactly is functional medicine and how does it work? We’re here to explain and help you to understand why this concept is so important to our work, and ultimately, for you!
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is essentially a patient-centered approach to treatment. It is a personalized, systems-oriented model that empowers both practitioners and patients by working in collaboration to address the underlying causes of disease. Functional medicine allows practitioners to practice the treatment of the whole individual, instead of just eliminating a set of symptoms and treating those. In today’s conventional medicine, we often see practitioners outlining a diagnosis based on symptoms, and then treating those symptoms with expensive drugs, or expensive surgeries, without understanding the diagnosis from a holistic standpoint. Functional medicine offers an approach to correct that and looks at each patient’s case in a personalized way.
How Does the American Regenerative Clinic Put Functional Medicine into Action?
So how does the American Regenerative Clinic put this approach into action? First, you’ll notice our practitioners spend much more time speaking with you, and getting to know your medical history, lifestyle, habits, etc. than your average doctor. We put an emphasis on you being a part of your treatment journey, right from the beginning. You’ll find our practitioners spend less time staring into a computer screen, and more time face to face with their patients. While the cause of a certain health condition can lie deep within an individual, it can be hidden in a patient’s lifestyle or genetics. This is why your first appointment with us will always be a conversation, about you, your history, your lifestyle, and anything else our practitioners feel may be contributing to your current condition.
The openness and communication between practitioners and patients allows our patients to feel like they are an active part of their recovery. Oftentimes, patients feel left out of their own care and treatment plan because practitioners don’t take the time to explain exactly what the treatment plan is in terms the patient can understand. Confusing medical jargon has no place in these conversations and we make sure patients feel heard every step of the way.
How Can I Be Involved When It Comes to My Treatment Plan?
Sometimes when it comes to conditions or diseases our bodies face over our lifetime, there is nothing we did to cause it. We often hear patients ask what they can do to help the process of their treatment along. It can be difficult to sit back and feel as though you’re not actively contributing to your wellbeing, while taking drugs or having procedures done. One of the keystones of functional medicine is healthy nutrition and maintaining a healthy diet. Everything we consume affects our body and our health. Did you know that around 70% of negative health conditions are caused by bad nutrition?
This is the reason our practitioners will always want to understand your lifestyle and exactly what your diet consists of on a daily basis. Through this analysis, they may be able to pinpoint where your ailments started, and how to get you back to a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Who Can Benefit Most from Functional Medicine?
Among the wide variety of diseases functional medicine can help with, here are a few we see most often:
- Chronic or stress related fatigue, migraines, sleep and thyroid disorders, adrenal imbalances
- A wide spectrum of digestive issues
- Menopause, PMS, andropause, decreased libido
- Chemical, environmental, or food-related allergies/sensitivities, skin rashes
- Chronic pain, fibromyalgia, sluggish metabolism, weight gain, cardiometabolic syndrome
- Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.
- Autism, depression, anxiety
If you suffer from any of the above conditions or are curious about how we can help with your specific condition or ailment, call the American Regenerative Clinic to book an appointment today!
