Functional Medicine – What can it do for you?
I have been around a lot of doctors… from being a patient, to working for them as a nurse, and getting to connect with them at medical conferences, etc… and I can tell you, there is a wide range of knowledge and varying levels of compassion out there.
I have personally experienced that the conventional medical community may not be very effective at solving chronic health problems. Many doctors are just following protocols, as they’ve been taught, but don’t even try (or necessarily know how) to think outside of the box. Not all doctors are created equal of course, but some may have a “know it all” attitude, and despite you asking questions or making suggestions they can’t really seem to find anything wrong with you. They may question your judgment when it comes to your own health or say “it’s all in your head”. Many times we hear a quick suggestion followed by a script for a pharmaceutical drug to put a band-aid on a much deeper problem.
Wait what? All in my head?! Just take this medication? But what about?…
I know, and to be fair, they really just don’t have the time to spend with us, so our voices don’t get heard and we don’t really get heard. That can really leave us hopeless, frustrated and confused right?!
I mean most days we are just trying to make it through the day tired and stressed, living on caffeine and sugary things, and it would be oh so nice just to have someone really listen!
I was struggling to find answers in the conventional medical community and doctors I was seeing… it wasn’t until I began my own research, found a Functional Medicine Doctor and started working with my own Nutrition coach that I started finding answers and solutions to the health issues I’d been dealing with for so long. You can read more of my story (HERE).
So, What is Functional Medicine?
Well, Functional Medicine is a new, modern approach to health care that really emphasizes looking at the whole person, not just their symptoms.
Functional Medicine focuses on finding the underlying root causes of what’s going on in the body and can give us clues into what direction our health may be going… many times before any real diagnosis shows up. A functional medicine doctor works together with patients as a team to restore health and bring balance to body and mind! Sounds pretty awesome, right?!
Getting to partner with my doctor to find solutions to what’s really going on and causing my health issues. This is what I LOVE about Functional medicine! It’s detective work at its finest. It’s like I get to be Sherlock Holmes’ assistant and have a say about what to do and help to solve the case.
Being able to play an active role in our health can really help us feel in control, feel confident in what is going on in our bodies and how to fix it, and gives us the knowledge and drive we need to take the steps to feel balanced, happy, and healthy!
The process to getting healthy involves a number of factors, including looking at diet and lifestyle, considering environment and genetics. Now genetics we obviously can’t change, but we can surely signal our bodies to turn those genes on or off based on the choices we make.
Functional medicine uses different types of lab tests and careful analysis of functional lab ranges to help determine what types of diet, lifestyle and environmental changes may need to occur to optimize health. Functional lab ranges are narrower than conventional lab ranges and are based on people who feel healthy.
Typical lab reference ranges are usually defined by what the “normal” population falls within (basically what’s “normal” for about 95% of our population). As our population get sicker that would make our definition of “normal” all a little relative, don’t you think? I don’t know about you, but I want to be compared to healthy people, not sick ones!
When looking for your next doctor no matter the reason, look for a Doctor that practices Functional Medicine. You can go HERE or HERE to search for one near you. If you can’t find one near you, there are many that are willing to work with you long distance once you have seen them and established a partnership.
It’s important, no matter which doctor you find, to make sure they show you it is all about YOU… your unique history, your unique environment, any underlying causes, and your lifestyle.
They should develop a health-enhancing plan that limits the use of pharmaceutical drugs… and encourages alternative practices such as eating a diet rich in nutrient-dense whole foods, the use of vitamins and supplements, stress reduction and lifestyle changes. It really is amazing what making a few simple lifestyle changes can do to start changing our health for the better.
Many who are working with these doctors are also working with nurses, nutritionists and health coaches to get the help and support they need to turn their lives around!
This is where I personally found most of my answers, encouragement and the support I needed to get back to feeling like the ME I have always wanted to be… and actually, better!
When we have this mindset, we’re able to stop putting a band-aid on our health problems and actually treat the root cause. This is where we restore our health, balance our moods, and can thrive with an abundant life instead of just trying to survive day to day.
Functional Medicine has helped so many people find freedom from their health problems. Are you suffering from any of these?
- Mood disorders; depression, anxiety
- Adrenal and thyroid problems; fatigue, insomnia
- ADD, ADHD, brain fog
- Skin issues
- Hormonal imbalances and weight issues
- Appetite control; insulin resistance, diabetes
Where I come in…
As a functional nurse & health coach, I work with you in collaboration with your healthcare team to offer a comprehensive approach to optimal gut and mental health. I do this by working with you to get to the bottom of what’s causing your health concerns… we’ll work together to get your full history, order and read diagnostic lab testing, and utilizing nutrition and food as medicine.
For many years, I’ve had a passion for helping others. Going through my own health journey and crisis taught me so many things. Through Functional Medicine testing for my stomach issues, headaches, mood issues, adrenal and hormones imbalances, I was able to customize protocols that led me on my path to healing.
I am proof that simple lifestyle changes… making simple changes in my diet, implementing alternative therapies, and getting to the root cause of health issues can help anyone accomplish better health and freedom, with hope and support.
If you are looking for someone to help encourage, support and enhance your road to find healing in your body, mind and spirit, then sign up for a free discovery session with me. If I am not the right person to help you, I can point you in the direction of someone that can!