Functional Medicine
WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE?
Functional Medicine is an approach that considers the patient as a whole. Instead of just treating a symptom, the doctor will look "upstream" and ask, "Why is this happening? What's the root cause? Can we make a change at the source of the problem?"
Image credit: IFM
As you can see in the example above, one condition (ex. Depression) can have many causes. And one cause (ex. Inflammation) can contribute to many conditions. This is a great visual example of why each patient must be cared for as an individual, and Functional Medicine is the best mechanism for that!
The Functional Medicine approach will use holistic and natural methods whenever possible, knowing that "prevention" is the key to avoiding the many chronic diseases currently plaguing our society. It is normal to use tools such as nutrition, meal plans, supplementation, lifestyle changes (sleep, stress, movement), holistic therapies and whatever means necessary to restore health.
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HOW DOES IT WORK?
We blend a wide array of techniques from both conventional medicine and holistic health, utilizing the best of Western and Eastern expertise.
Our Functional Medicine Team will determine if any Advanced Functional Labs are needed and order them, folding that new piece of information into the history, intake, nutritional status, symptoms, current lab findings- all in order to make a thorough assessment that looks at the person as a whole. Our TEAM is excellent at reviewing lab work and explaining it in a way that is easy to understand.
Jump down to "The Process" section to learn more about what to expect as a new patient or client. You can learn more detail about how Functional Medicine works and the differences between conventional medicine, integrative medicine, naturopathy, and other alternative health medicine.
The Wellness Redefined Pearls
We apply the ideology of functional medicine to a process that is unique to our clinic
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1. Supporting WellnessFood, Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness Supporting Wellness is where the patient or client commits to creating change and develops a partnership with their Functional Medicine & Nutrition provider. Key Lifestyle changes such as addressing food, sleep, movement and mindfulness will support the patient/client throughout their healing journey and develop skills that will last a lifetime. Typically a 2-4 week process.
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2. Finding ReliefDigestion, Inflammation, Stress, Nutrition Finding Relief addresses the initial barriers to health and wellness and brings about some palliative care. Poor digestion, inflammation, ongoing stress and essential nutrition needs will be identified with recommendations for lifestyle changes and supplementation remedies. Typically a 3-6 week process.
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3. Root CauseGut Infections, Leaky Gut, Liver Congestion, Mitochondrial Dysfunction Root Cause is where the Functional Medicine & Nutrition provider digs deeper to uncover issues contributing to the patient/client’s symptoms. There are 4 key root cause issues that may be addressed together or one at a time, but rarely is significant change made until the following issues are resolved: Gut Infections (ex. Candida, SIBO, LIBO/dysbiosis, slow motility), Leaky Gut (ex.intestinal barrier issues, allergies, acne, autoimmunity), Liver Congestion (ex. detoxification issues, fatty liver), or Mitochondrial Dysfunction (ex. M.I.S.S.E.D. patients, chronic fatigue, pain). Typically a 3-6 month process depending on number of issues.
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4 Fine TuningHormone Balancing, Focused Nutrition, Immune Health Fine Tuning is a dividing point on the way to wellness. Those that are doing much better may just need minor adjustments in the following categories or those that are still challenged may need additional testing to uncover issues. This includes hormonal balancing (ex. thyroid health, sex hormones), focused nutrition (ex. micronutrient testing for vitamin/mineral/amino acid deficiency or antigenic testing for food sensitivities) and immune health (ex. ongoing infections, autoimmunity). Typically a 1-3 month process depending on issues.
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5 Maintaining HealthMinimal Intervention, Life Armor, Holistic Health Maintaining Health is the ultimate goal on the way to wellness and joy and typically takes 6-12 months to reach, depending on starting issues, compliance and number of setbacks. In the Maintaining Health pillar, few interventions are needed, because the patient/client has learned to incorporate good self-care into their life. A key component in this pillar is educating the patient on being connected to their body; knowing how to identify and respond quickly to any issue that comes up before it becomes a bigger problem. At this stage we encourage patients/clients to expand this new found sense of health beyond themselves and share the gift of healthy living with family, work or their community. Experience for life!
CAN I STILL SEE MY PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER OR THE LOCAL HOSPITAL?
Yes, and we require you to keep an amicable and open relationship with your Primary Care Provider.
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In our office, we often co-manage with allopathic physicians that will refer patients to Wellness Redefined. We work with all types of health issues but are particularly known for our expertise in Gut Health, Skin Health, and Hormonal Health.
What To Expect
There is a whole menu of treatments at Wellness Redefined that you can check out HERE. Most Functional Medicine patients/clients begin with an our Functional Medicine Initial intake and then a Report of Findings with one of our Functional Medicine providers to determine your unique plan.
Step By Step Process Details
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1. Supporting WellnessFood, Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness Supporting Wellness is where the patient or client commits to creating change and develops a partnership with their Functional Medicine & Nutrition provider. Key Lifestyle changes such as addressing food, sleep, movement and mindfulness will support the patient/client throughout their healing journey and develop skills that will last a lifetime. Typically a 2-4 week process.
-
2. Finding ReliefDigestion, Inflammation, Stress, Nutrition Finding Relief addresses the initial barriers to health and wellness and brings about some palliative care. Poor digestion, inflammation, ongoing stress and essential nutrition needs will be identified with recommendations for lifestyle changes and supplementation remedies. Typically a 3-6 week process.
-
3. Root CauseGut Infections, Leaky Gut, Liver Congestion, Mitochondrial Dysfunction Root Cause is where the Functional Medicine & Nutrition provider digs deeper to uncover issues contributing to the patient/client’s symptoms. There are 4 key root cause issues that may be addressed together or one at a time, but rarely is significant change made until the following issues are resolved: Gut Infections (ex. Candida, SIBO, LIBO/dysbiosis, slow motility), Leaky Gut (ex.intestinal barrier issues, allergies, acne, autoimmunity), Liver Congestion (ex. detoxification issues, fatty liver), or Mitochondrial Dysfunction (ex. M.I.S.S.E.D. patients, chronic fatigue, pain). Typically a 3-6 month process depending on number of issues.
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4 Fine TuningHormone Balancing, Focused Nutrition, Immune Health Fine Tuning is a dividing point on the way to wellness. Those that are doing much better may just need minor adjustments in the following categories or those that are still challenged may need additional testing to uncover issues. This includes hormonal balancing (ex. thyroid health, sex hormones), focused nutrition (ex. micronutrient testing for vitamin/mineral/amino acid deficiency or antigenic testing for food sensitivities) and immune health (ex. ongoing infections, autoimmunity). Typically a 1-3 month process depending on issues.
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5 Maintaining HealthMinimal Intervention, Life Armor, Holistic Health Maintaining Health is the ultimate goal on the way to wellness and joy and typically takes 6-12 months to reach, depending on starting issues, compliance and number of setbacks. In the Maintaining Health pillar, few interventions are needed, because the patient/client has learned to incorporate good self-care into their life. A key component in this pillar is educating the patient on being connected to their body; knowing how to identify and respond quickly to any issue that comes up before it becomes a bigger problem. At this stage we encourage patients/clients to expand this new found sense of health beyond themselves and share the gift of healthy living with family, work or their community. Experience for life!
