What is Functional Medicine?
As a licensed athletic trainer,…
My education prepared me for the general medical model - emergency care, treatment of disease, navigating insurance. And there is definitely a place for that.
Recently, I have come in to this world of medicine that is offering something much different when it comes to beating the chronic health epidemic – functional medicine.
As I learn more about this space on my health coaching journey, I would like to share with you what I have learned so far. What I have found is it makes so much sense!
To give you some background, I have always been curious and a fan of promoting living “more like my grandparents” who lived on the farm – highly physically active, slow evenings spent in fellowship with one another, whole foods from right outside their door, and a way of life that seemed to move with the rise and set of the sun in community with one another. As I learn more about functional medicine, it seems to embody just that!
When I think functional medicine, I think “live like our ancestors” and seek the root of the problem to how we are feeling.
Here are a few elements of the practice:
Analysis of the gut biome - the type of bacteria in your stomach and gastrointestinal track. Today, research is finding how the gut bacteria influences ADHD, skin conditions, bloating, sleep, and so much more. Some practitioners call it our second brain!
Evaluation of micronutrients (VitD, VitK2, manganese, chromium, etc.) and dietary intake with possible supplementation when nutrients are out of balance.
It looks for markers on your blood panel that indicate you’re headed toward possible disease, and heads it off before you hit the conventional/disease range with guidance on lifestyle changes to address the markers.
It looks at sleep, stress, activity, play, socialization, spirituality, mindfulness, and nutrition.
It looks at the whole YOU!
Research is showing 85% of our chronic illness is due to our own choices – and only 15% is due to our genes. How exciting to know there are A LOT of things we can do to make sure we are living our Journey Well to avoid or reverse chronic illness. Whether you are headed in to retirement or in the prime of your career, there are behaviors within your control to keep you charting the right course toward your health vision – and away from chronic disease!
For me, looking at health and wellness through the lens of functional medicine makes so much sense in how we can live the best life. If you’re intrigued and want to learn more about integrating functional medicine practices in to your life, let’s chat!