Whether you work in nursing, physiotherapy, or medicine, it’s vital to remain up to date on various approaches to health care. A valuable form of medicine is functional medicine. Below, we delve into what this medical model is and how it works, along with some of its major benefits.

 What Is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine refers to the specialised practice of identifying and treating the underlying causes of a condition or a disease. Rather than focusing solely on the symptoms, functional medicine hones in on the catalyst in an effort to treat them and prevent further discomfort on the part of the patient. To do this, a holistic approach is taken in treating patients. A key component of functional medicine is treating the individual like a patient and not a disease.

Functional medicine often blends “Western” medical practices (such as prescription drugs and lab testing) with alternative medical processes (such as plant-based medicines and stress-reduction techniques).

 What Factors Are Considered Under Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is a holistic practice. This means that health professionals who practice it will take a comprehensive look at the various parts of their patient’s health and lifestyle to properly diagnose and treat them. Some of the factors a functional doctor would consider when attempting to diagnose a patient include (but are not limited to):

• Timeline and duration of symptoms
• Sleep patterns
• Exercise regimen
• Diet
• Stressors
• Relationships (personal, professional)
• Emotional and mental well-being

These elements and many others contribute to your overall health and well-being. As a result, it’s only sensible that they contribute to any adverse health effects you may experience.

What Are Some of the Key Benefits of Functional Medicine?

There are several benefits you’ll reap when you practice functional medicine, such as:

• Holistic (i.e. this approach understands that the entire body is connected; you can’t simply treat one part of the body without accounting for its other systems)
• Better patient outcomes
• Can be used in a preventative or restorative fashion
• Patient-centered
• Involves patient participation
• Evidence-based