When you first meet with a functional medicine practitioner, you can expect to have a long and in-depth appointment. But what does a functional practitioner do during that session? They take as much time as necessary to gain a thorough understanding of your overall health. They build a broad picture of who you are, your lifestyle, and what your medical needs are in order to treat your maladies and afflictions before they turn into disease.
Functional Medical Practitioners
After conducting an extensive interview–which will lay the groundwork for your treatment–the functional medicine practitioner will conduct a physical exam, a series of lab tests, and begin to identify areas of your health which can be improved or concerns that need to be treated.
This method is used to identify any imbalances and stem any symptoms in order to prevent disease rather than treat them after they have been detected.
When working with a functional medical practitioner you are likely to also work with a multidisciplinary team that may include a Chiropractor, Osteopath, Health Coach and or a Counsellor.
What Questions Will a Functional Practitioner Ask a Patient?
The trick to really getting a full picture of a patient’s history is to ask a series of targeted questions, which could also reveal the cause of their symptoms. This assessment, however, is not limited to their medical history.
A functional medicine practitioner will ask patients about:
- Their lifestyle, taking factors such as diet, exercise, and sleeping patterns into account.
- Environmental factors which include exposure to toxins
- Genetics which may show a predisposition to certain diseases
- Psycho-social aspects such as stress and trauma
What Treatments Do Functional Medical Practitioners Recommend?
Following the analysis, a functional practitione will conduct lab tests and blood tests where necessary. The results will inform the practitioner as to what methods can be used to treat the patient’s ailments in order to improve the health of the patient. The treatment is based on the individual needs of the patient; it is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Functional medical practitioners use a combination of treatment plans which include:
- Dietary plans
- Exercise plans
- Detoxification programs
- Stress management techniques
- Botanicals
- Supplements
What Happens After the Initial Treatment?
Treatment is an ongoing process. The patient’s health will continue to be monitored to ensure that their physiological processes are improving, and the holistic wellbeing process is working to the benefit of the patient.
Functional medicine is widely seen as a new approach to medicine which incorporates a broader view of the individual’s health in order to treat their symptoms before they develop into more serious conditions and diseases. If you are ready to try this approach to health management, call us today to schedule your first appointment.
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