The Power of Functional Medicine

by Dr. Nick Zyrowski October 30, 2022

There are a lot of different drugs on the market today. It seems like every commercial break, we’re seeing another medication that’s supposed to treat an illness. It happens so frequently, sometimes we tune it out and check our phones or do something else until what we were watching comes back on.

If you’ve ever listened closely, at the end of these commercials that introduce these “miracle drugs,” there is a disclaimer that lets you know all the side effects that come along with them. Some of them are pretty frightening, to say the least. What if you could use natural medicine that would get to the real cause of your health problems? Keep reading this article where we give you a deeper understanding of how functional medicine works for you to restore your wellness instead of merely treating the symptoms.

What is functional medicine?

When you read about natural medicine, you may reflect back to some of the videos you’ve seen where people are offering a magic power for an expensive price that promises to cure you in one or two days. Unfortunately, that’s not genuine. Many people fall victim to this kind of scam because they are desperate to feel better. There are always people out there willing to take advantage of you for a fast buck.

Functional medicine focuses on addressing the root cause of disease and illness. It uses a biological approach to find out why you have specific symptoms that contribute to your illness. (1) Rather than merely treating the symptoms, functional doctors treat the whole patient.

Functional medicine principles

One of the things that many people may not realize is that everyone is genetically and biochemically different. Functional medicine doctors use a more personalized approach to treat health issues.

Your body was meant to be in a state of wellness. If you’ve been told that you’re doomed to sickness because your parents had a particular issue, that’s not true. You may have something that disturbed the balance of your body’s self-regulation.

Functional medicine practitioners look for ways to get your body back into balance so that it can self-regulate. With the right tools and approach, your body will often heal itself. Traditional medical doctors may use drugs to treat various conditions. There’s a lot to treat, unfortunately, because over 125 million Americans deal with chronic diseases every day. (2)

When you get treated by a doctor who specializes in functional medicine, you work with someone who looks for the genuine cause of your pain or sickness. You want to learn why you have a particular set of symptoms so that you can heal your body and resolve the issues.

How it works

Some people wonder why many functional medicine doctors don’t accept their health insurance. The reason is simple. Health insurance won’t always pay for your doctor to take the necessary time to get to the cause of your issues.

You’ll get a thorough evaluation to determine the best course of treatment for your specific health problem. You won’t get rushed through a quick process and then handed a prescription with one or two pharmaceuticals.

When you work with a functional medicine specialist, you also get tons of resources to use for the rest of your life. You’ll be empowered to take control of your health and learn how your body functions to overcome disease. You’ll have someone who listens to you and gathers your medical history to identify triggers that may be contributing to your problems. (3)

Conditions treated

If you’ve been diagnosed with a health condition, or don’t feel well and can’t seem to get answers, there are common conditions that functional medicine can treat. Some of the issues treated include:

  • Adrenal fatigue
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Diabetes Digestive disorders
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Thyroid issues

This is not an exhaustive list. If you have any chronic condition, you may benefit from seeing a functional medicine specialist. There are natural strategies that can get you healthy.

What to expect

If the term “functional medicine” is new to you, you may want to know what to expect. You’ll get an extensive medical history review to provide the groundwork to find the possible root causes for your specific health issues.

You’ll also get in-depth lab testing to look into the symptoms and causes of your health challenges. The bloodwork we test for includes:

  • Cardiovascular health
  • Inflammation testing
  • Thyroid Diabetes and insulin resistance
  • Liver health
  • Kidney and Urinary health
  • Electrolytes
  • Platelets
  • Red Blood Cells
  • White Blood Cells

After your labs, you’ll get a customized process for your new health plan. You’ll also get a thorough analysis of your results to let you know what they mean and how they affect your wellness. (4)

Functional medicine is personalized healthcare. If you’ve ever been to the doctor and felt like a number, we understand; Often, you are lucky to get fifteen minutes to talk about everything. That’s not usually long enough to explain to your doctor how you’re feeling.

If you need more of a one-on-one approach that is based on the latest research in natural health, functional medicine is the answer. There’s no guesswork, or covering up the problems with trials of different prescription drugs. That’s why you’ll get targeted labs to help pinpoint your personal health concerns. You are unique, and your healthcare should be, too.

Nutrition

Many medical professionals overlook the power of nutrition when it comes to health. You may get told to cut your calories to lose some weight or eat more vegetables. The truth is, not every diet is ideal for every person. Also, your dietary needs can change depending on your level of wellness.

Nutrition is all over the map these days. There are keto, carnivore, Mediterranean, and many more diets that people follow to be healthy. Which one is right for you? Your functional medicine doctor can help you choose the nutrition plan that gives you the best results.

Supplements

If you have a cabinet full of supplements, you may not even remember what you’re taking them for, or you may have stopped if they weren’t working. There are tons of products out there that may not be beneficial to you. You also have to be careful because many supplements are filled with ingredients you don’t need.

Quality supplements have a role in a healthy lifestyle. When you work with a natural medical doctor, you’ll get specific recommendations based on your lab testing. These can also be adjusted monthly based on your needs and results. When you want to be well, don’t overlook the power of supplements to help get you there.

Getting started

You won’t get told by the traditional medical community that there are natural solutions to many modern health challenges. The truth is your functional medicine doctor knows the latest scientific research and offers patients holistic solutions based on science.

Natural healthcare is crucial when you need to get to the root cause of your health issues to get well and feel better. If you don’t want to cover up the problems and mask the symptoms with unhealthy drugs, there are natural medicines and approaches for genuine health.

If you want to learn more about how this could be the right fit for you, you can book a free consultation with a wellness advisor. You can discuss your health concerns and learn more about our services. The current healthcare system is broken. Traditional medical treatment is waiting until you’re at your worst and suffering, then using drugs to manage your symptoms.

Don’t wait to start living your best life. Your health transformation is waiting! Give us a call or make an appointment today to learn how we use a natural approach to reverse and prevent health issues.

References :

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/herbal-medicine

https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/what-is-functional-medicine/

https://bostondirecthealth.com/how-does-functional-medicine-work-the-importance-of-holistic-medicine/

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/principles-of-functional-medicine

https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/what-is-functional-medicine/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/functional-medicine/about

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/symptoms-causes/syc-20376813#:~:text=Medical%20consequences&text=Opioids%20can%20cause%20low%20blood,can%20cause%20coma%20or%20death.

https://www.bridgeshealingcenters.com/5-things-that-best-describe-functional-medicine/

https://vytalhealth.com/how-to-use-insurance-with-functional-medicine-doctors/

Dr. Nick Zyrowski
Dr. Nick Zyrowski