Its HOW you do it. Not just WHAT you do!

As with every profession and methodology – you won’t actually find any two functional medicine practitioners the same.  Consequently, I know some who run many diagnostics and then recommend many supplements to fix the dysfunctions.  In contrast, I know others who run minimal testing and work on the basics of nutrition and lifestyle to get results.

Each to their own and in my opinion, as all these approaches have value.  This emphasises that it is not about what methodology you are using but how you are interpreting and applying it to the individual.

Remember – keep the focus on the individual [You] – not just the method, test report, or practitioner.

A Fascinating Case Study Demonstrating Functional Medicine in Action

What is a ‘Functional Health’ Approach?

This could be a lengthy discussion – so let’s keep it simple!  The holistic premise is to consider the whole person where possible.  The functional goal is to identify dysfunction and imbalances in order to optimise balance and enhance function.

The strange thing is that for all the focus on being ‘functional’, there are actually many practitioners using the FM method as an allopathic approach!  Allopathy is the conventional approach that has an important place in medical practice to treat symptoms.  Yet, it is noteworthy how many practitioners are using ‘natural’ steps (nutrition, supplements etc) in an allopathic way.

Whilst I am not a Doctor and therefore am not licensed to, do not desire to and will not use an allopathic approach, I certainly don’t criticise it.  It’s use in acute care alone is awe-inspiring.  The key is to integrate any chosen approach and understand what it is for, it’s value, how it applies to a given situation and whether or not to apply it.

There are many descriptions of ‘Functional VERSUS Conventional’. Yet this is simply creating a greater divide / dichotomy and therefore much less integration and integrity.  Fundamentally there can be ‘Functional AND Conventional’ because they have different remits. They both have different roles. They both have different advantages and disadvantages.

Therefore – it’s not about right or wrong, which one is better etc.

Success in achieving a health goal is going to be much more about developing a skill set of how to carefully consider the options and apply the steps that are most congruent with the individual situation.

That’s one key reason why at the Functional Health Clinic we coach as much about the How and Why as we do the What.

Here’s where Informed Choice comes in.

Informed Choice / A Balance of Information

This is probably the single most effective aspect in any one person being empowered or inspired to regain their health.  Certainly that I have experienced.  In my practice, several of my clients are working closely with their medical practitioner as part of their ongoing integrative health care.  Even just to monitor improving conditions.  Alongside this we put together a process of understanding more about how nutrition, movement, posture, lifestyle, environment and behaviours are affecting the function of their systems (digestion, immune, hormonal etc) and what changes to put in place.

So – I won’t use Functional Medicine with a cookie-cutter approach.  Let’s ensure we squeeze the real potential out of this emerging and fantastic combination of philosophy, research and advancing technology.  This way it will allow great insight through diagnostics about what is going on in the body and provide valuable understanding and education as to what action we can take to solve our health challenges.