Functional Medicine Health Coaching focuses on setting realistic goals and overcoming obstacles, and
by staying accountable and celebrating wins, your treatment plan becomes reality.
So…What Is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach to healthcare that looks beyond symptom resolution to identify why illness occurs and address those root causes to restore health. While conventional medicine focuses on using medication to reduce symptoms, Functional Medicine empowers patients and practitioners to work together to resolve the complex underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness through diet and lifestyle change.
Coaches help patients tap into deep motivators, by encouraging them through positive psychology.
And by adjusting their behavior, physical, mental and emotional well being can be achieved.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century.
By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms.
Functional Medicine practitioners spend time with their patients.
They listen to their histories and look at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. All of which can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease.
In this way, Functional Medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.
Why Do We Need Functional Medicine Health Coaching?
Our Society is experiencing an increase in the number of people who suffer from
complex, chronic diseases such as:
- diabetes
- heart disease
- cancer
- mental illness
- and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.
The system of medicine practiced by most physicians is oriented toward acute care, the diagnosis and treatment of trauma or illness.
Which is of short duration and in need of urgent care, such as appendicitis and / or a broken leg.
Unfortunately, the acute-care approach to medicine lacks the proper methodology and tools
for preventing and treating complex, chronic disease.
There’s a huge gap between research and the way doctors practice.
The gap between emerging research in basic sciences and integration into medical practice is enormous
and as long as 50 years, particularly in the area of complex, chronic illness.
Most physicians are not adequately trained to assess the underlying causes of complex, chronic diseases. Because of this, they fall short on applying strategies such as nutrition, and exercise, to both treat and prevent these illnesses in their patients.
How is Functional Medicine Different?
Functional Medicine involves understanding the origins, prevention, and treatment of complex, chronic disease.
Hallmarks of a Functional Medicine approach include:
- Patient-centered care. The focus of functional medicine is on patient-centered care, promoting health as a positive vitality, beyond just the absence of disease.
- An integrative, science-based healthcare approach.
Functional Medicine practitioners look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness. - The unique genetic makeup of each patient is considered. Both internal (mind, body and spirit) and external (physical and social environment) factors. All of which affect total functioning.
- Integrating best medical practices.
Functional Medicine integrates traditional Western medical practices with what are sometimes considered “alternative” or “integrative” medicine.
This creates focus on prevention through nutrition, diet, and exercise by utilizing the latest laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques.
It incorporates prescribed combinations of drugs and/or botanical medicines, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, or stress-management techniques.
Schedule A Functional Medicine Health Coaching Session.
For questions or to schedule an appointment please contact us.