Functional Medicine (FM) works of the model of prevention of disease or if a health condition is present, by addressing the root cause of that condition and treating the cause - not the symptom. By adopting this approach, using FM as part of our health and wellness toolkit, we can prevent ( or often reverse ) all types of chronic disease. Conditions such as allergy, digestive issues, IBS, IBD, hormonal, depression & anxiety, high blood pressure and cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders including obesity, autoimmune disease and even Cancer.
A great analogy is to think of a plant, its leaves are starting to wilt, curl and drop. Let's say it is lacking water. What do we do? Water the leaves (aka the symptom)? or water its roots (the place that it takes water in in order to become healthy again)?
In traditional medicine we often 'water the leaves' and treat the symptom, in functional medicine we 'water the roots' and treat the cause.
FM is a collaboration between the practitioner and the patient, empowering us to take back control of our own health by making often simple changes to diet, lifestyle and mindset.
Contrary to what you might read, FM is very much a person centred, science based approach, believing that all of us are unique and therefore we should be treated as such.
P.S Don't forget to water your 'roots' today and stay hydrated - you wouldn't believe how many significant issues are alleviated with sufficient H20!
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