We specialize in finding the root cause of complex chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases, mood disorders and hormonal imbalances. We use advanced methods of functional and integrative medicine to explore your lifestyle, environment and genetics and find the best solution for you.
Functional medicine is a personalized approach to healthcare that seeks to restore the body’s normal function rather than treating only symptoms. It takes a holistic approach to health that considers your whole person, including mental and emotional health as well as physical. It also recognizes that the body has an innate ability to heal itself when the proper environment is provided.
In contrast to traditional Western medicine, functional medicine is centered around understanding the biochemical individuality of each patient. This includes evaluating genetic, biochemical and environmental factors that influence each individual’s response to treatment and what specific conditions they may be susceptible to. Using this information, a physician can create personalized treatment plans that optimize a patients health, well-being and quality of life.
A doctor who specializes in functional medicine can work with patients of all ages. They typically spend more time with their patients than conventional doctors do and collect detailed information about each patient. They are able to identify and address multiple factors that are contributing to a condition and may include prescription medications, supplements and other therapies. They are able to work in collaboration with a patient’s primary care provider or healthcare team and often collaborate on research and treatment plans with other functional medicine practitioners.
Functional doctors are able to treat a wide range of chronic and complex illnesses, from digestive issues to autoimmune disease. They are also able to help prevent illness by providing a variety of preventive services, such as metabolic assessments and hormone replacement therapy. These assessments allow doctors to discover underlying health issues that may be contributing to a patient’s condition, such as nutritional deficiencies or imbalances, adrenal stress and inflammatory responses.
The most common reason that people visit functional medicine austin is because they are experiencing longstanding, vague and puzzling symptoms or illnesses. These patients often have many tests performed but do not have a clear diagnosis from their primary care physicians. When these patients visit a functional medicine practitioner, they are looking for a way to find the root cause of their symptoms and conditions and want to prevent them from returning.
While functional medicine is not a recognized medical practice, many doctors choose to obtain additional training and certification in functional medicine through organizations such as the Institute for Functional Medicine. This does not give them a new type of license to practice medicine, but it demonstrates that they are committed to working within this modality. This includes traditional MDs and DOs, as well as acupuncturists, chiropractors, nurses and nutritionists. This additional training can also enhance their clinical skills and help them better support their patients.