Functional medicine is personalized, precision medicine, focused on each individual’s unique biochemical patterns. It seeks to address the root cause of illness or discomfort so each patient receives specific treatment for their unique circumstances. This personalized approach examines both scientific and environmental factors to go past treating just the symptoms. The goal is to identify and address the underlying cause(s) of dysfunction and correct imbalances as directly as possible.
A functional medicine practitioner will get to know you, asking questions about your lifestyle and day-to-day activities. They may also run a variety of lab tests. Since this type of treatment is based on you as an individual, the practitioner will seek to gain a clear picture of what may be contributing to your disease/illness or pain above and beyond the myriad of symptoms you are experiencing. Unlike the old model of the traditional doctor/patient relationship, functional medicine practitioners seek to partner with their patients and work together to find solutions that make sense for the person.