Functional medicine is a personalized, systems-orientated model that empowers patients and practitioners to achieve the highest level of health by working together to address the underlying cause of complex illnesses. A functional medicine practitioner will consider various issues such as your physical, mental, and emotional health, taking in factors such as your genetics, diet, prescription medication, and medical history.

An example of functional medicine is addressing autoimmune diseases, which can often be the underlying cause of many of today’s illnesses. If you have symptoms of autoimmune disease, you would first have some lab tests to figure out what is amiss. Your functional health practitioner would then create a plan for each individual, including nutrition changes, lifestyle adjustments, and the incorporation of natural medicines.

Functional Medicine practitioners have both clinical experience as well as accredited medical training. Functional medicine looks at the root cause of symptoms by looking at the body as one integrated system by taking lifestyle, genetics, medical history, environmental, and family histories into account. They can uncover hormonal imbalances, metabolic issues, and nutritional deficiencies and treat the body rather than just the illness.

A functional medicine practitioner looks at the underlying causes of an illness and the “why” of disease and condition. What is causing the illness in the first place? They look not only at the biology of a patient but also at environmental and lifestyle factors. A conventional provider looks at the disease and a treatment plan such as surgery or medication. A functional medicine provider can be formally trained as a chiropractor, naturopath, nutritionist, doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, but should have additional training and certification in functional medicine

Functional medicine providers will identify and address the root cause of any illness. They look at lifestyle influences, diet, environmental factors, and functional testing, where they can determine the causes of many chronic diseases.

Integrative and Functional Medicine have similar thought processes, but also some distinct differences. Integrative Medicine addresses the individual as a whole and applies a variety of therapy to improve wellbeing. Functional medicine looks at creating an individual therapy plan that focuses on addressing an illness’s underlying causes.

Functional medicine will look for inflammation, hormone imbalances, a “leaky gut,” autoimmune disease, thyroid problems, viruses, parasites and other disbiosis. Functional medicine can also address stress, anxiety, digestion, libido, fertility and metabolic syndrome.

Functional medicine is controversial because it takes a different approach than conventional medicine. Functional medicine focuses on the root causes of an illness rather than treating the condition itself like traditional medicine practices.

A functional medicine provider completes conventional medical training before specializing in functional medicine.

Unlike conventional medicine, your functional medicine practitioner will spend time getting to know all about your medical problems, right back to your childhood and your family history. You will feel listened to and not rushed. They will often offer you guidance on nutrition, lifestyle, and the best supplements to treat symptoms, so they are most definitely worth the money.

Laboratory testing is a primary feature of functional medicine, and these tests are beneficial in giving your functional medicine practitioner facts to remove the guesswork. When performed correctly, the tests are accurate and will help to assist in the next part of your functional medicine journey, the follow-up personalized treatment plan.

During your initial evaluation, Jennette or Heather will carefully review and discuss your medical history and your goals. If you are a good fit to work with us, then we  will discuss the custom blueprint and what it looks like to reach your destination on your healing journey.

Before we get to the evaluation though let’s do a FREE 15 min phone call to see if we are a good fit for each other!  If we are a good fit then the next step is the initial evaluation and it is $89.  You may add an evaluation for a spouse or household family member at the same time for an additional $49. 

If you are NOT an in-state resident, your wellness journey at Functional Nutrition Resources may be able to be done completely virtually. Please reach out to our office for state specific guidelines.