Functional Medicine
Functional medicine is a modern concept in medicine originating in the 1970s which addresses chronic disease. There are several key features that make it stand apart from or enhance conventional medicine in the following aspects:
· Wellness is seen to be on a continuum with illness, therefore imbalances may be picked up prior to diagnosable diseases and the goal is to promote vitality in addition to eradicating disease states and symptoms.
· The patient’s story is central to the diagnostic process, it is a patient-oriented view rather than a disease-oriented one, incorporating all facets of a patient’s life experience
· Nutritional biochemistry and biochemical uniqueness are key considerations to evaluate an individual’s state of balance
· Emerging and established scientific data is combined with the clinical practices of other disciplines to develop individualized and comprehensive treatment approaches with the realization that health is a dynamic process that relies on complex interactions both within the body and the outside environment.
At Innate Health, the initial assessment takes a detailed Functional Medicine approach lasting 90 minutes, in to consideration. A physical exam and laboratory evaluations will usually be required. This is an extensive appointment which ties together all the information you provide ahead of time to form a holistic view of your life and current presentation to individualize investigations and a treatment plan. Two follow up appointments are recommended to establish this approach to healthcare.