What are Functional Medicine and Naturopathic Doctors?
Put a finger down if you have experienced an illness that has lasted for several months. You spent countless hours at different doctor visits. You've expressed your symptoms and have undergone lab work at each appointment. However, you learn that your blood work shows that everything is within the “normal range” and the doctor tells you, “You're fine.”
Yet, you know that you are not fine! You are frustrated and just want answers so you can return to being you again. If this is you, you should consider functional medicine and or naturopathic doctors to help you find solutions.
Functional medicine is an approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease, rather than just treating symptoms.
For example, if a woman in her 40s suddenly experiences hair loss instead of the doctor prescribing medicine that treats alopecia, a functional doctor will get to the source of what is causing the hair loss. This patient-centered model views the body as interconnected and aims to promote overall wellness.
Some of the principles of functional medicine include:
Personalized care: Treatment plans are tailored to each individual's unique genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Systems-based approach: Practitioners examine how different body systems interact and influence each other. This part can be trial and error and can take quite a bit of time along the journey.
Integration of traditional and alternative medicine: Combines conventional medical practices with evidence-based alternative therapies.
Emphasis on prevention: Focuses on maintaining health and preventing disease rather than just managing illness. For many, this can include a complete overhaul of their current lifestyle and choices.
Use of advanced diagnostic tools: Employs specialized tests to uncover underlying imbalances and dysfunctions. This part of the journey can be time-consuming as well but technology is allowing for more discovery each day.
Another upside is that functional medicine practitioners often spend more time with patients, delving deep into their medical history, lifestyle, and environmental factors. They may recommend dietary changes, stress reduction techniques, supplements, and other lifestyle modifications alongside conventional treatments.
While proponents argue that functional medicine offers a more comprehensive approach to healthcare, critics point out that some methods may need more robust scientific evidence. However, if you've been on a journey in search of answers and have not received solutions that have worked, functional medicine can offer hope. Hope can lead to healing.
Another access point to non-traditional medicine is the use of Naturopathic doctors.
Naturopathic doctors are healthcare professionals who combine traditional healing wisdom with modern scientific knowledge. They focus on treating the whole person and addressing the root causes of illness, rather than just managing symptoms much like functional medicine practitioners.
Key aspects of naturopathic medicine include:
Natural healing: Naturopathic doctors prioritize natural therapies and the body's innate ability to heal itself.
Holistic approach: They consider physical, mental, emotional, and environmental factors affecting health.
Preventive care: Emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness.
Personalized treatment: Tailored plans based on individual needs and circumstances. Oftentimes these plans can come with out-of-pocket costs.
Patient education: Naturopathic doctors teach patients about health, encouraging active participation in their wellness journey. This can be imported for people on a journey to better health who may feel like traditional doctors do not hear them.
Naturopathic doctors use various treatment modalities, including:
Nutrition and dietary counseling
Herbal medicine
Homeopathy
Physical medicine like massage or hydrotherapy
Lifestyle counseling
Acupuncture
Understand that education and licensing for Naturopathic doctors vary by country and state. In the U.S., licensed Naturopathic doctors typically complete a 4-year graduate-level program at an accredited naturopathic medical school and must pass standardized board exams.
While naturopathic medicine offers a gentler, more natural approach to healthcare, it's important to note that it's not always a substitute for conventional medical care. Many Naturopathic doctors work collaboratively with conventional doctors to provide integrative care.
If you are new on a healing Journey we invite you to stay connected to The AU Wellness company to learn more about holistic healthcare.
Hope + Healing
The AU Wellness Team