What Is Functional Medicine?
Understanding Functional Medicine
According to the Institute for Functional Medicine, Functional Medicine is “a personalized, systems-oriented model that empowers patients and their practitioners to achieve the highest expression of health by working in collaboration to address the underlying causes of disease. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, Functional Medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms.”
What This Means for You as a Patient
Functional Medicine recognizes that each person has unique health needs. Practitioners spend time understanding your complete health history, examining how genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors interact to influence your overall well-being and the development of chronic conditions.
This approach is holistic—it considers how all systems of the body are interconnected. Functional Medicine practitioners aim to understand how these systems work together, looking for patterns that explain why disease occurs in a particular individual. Instead of asking, “What disease does this patient have?” the focus shifts to “Why does this patient have this disease?” Each person receives a customized care plan designed to support their body’s natural healing processes.
How Functional Medicine Differs from Conventional Medicine
In conventional medicine, the primary goal is to recognize a pattern of symptoms and prescribe drug-based therapies to manage those symptoms. While these treatments can be necessary, they often don’t address the underlying cause of the problem. Patients may end up relying on costly medications long-term without resolving the root issue.
In contrast, Functional Medicine takes a root-cause approach. It seeks to identify and correct imbalances rather than simply suppress symptoms. This makes it a highly cost-effective and sustainable model of care, emphasizing prevention and lifestyle-based healing.
The Functional Medicine Tree: A Visual Model of Health
The Functional Medicine Tree is a visual representation that helps explain how this approach works. Imagine your body as a tree:
- The roots and soil represent your foundational health—nutrition, sleep, movement, and stress management.
- Antecedents are genetic or predisposing factors that set the stage for potential imbalances.
- Triggers are specific life events, such as infections or exposures, that may initiate dysfunction.
- Mediators are ongoing processes that perpetuate or worsen imbalances over time.
When the roots and soil are healthy, the trunk (your body’s systems) and the leaves (your symptoms) thrive. However, if the roots are neglected, the entire system begins to show signs of imbalance and illness.
Functional Medicine vs. Conventional Focus
Traditional medicine tends to focus on the “leaves”—the visible symptoms—using diagnosis and standardized treatments. In this model, patients with similar symptoms often receive the same therapies, regardless of personal differences.
Functional Medicine, however, starts with the roots and soil. It considers each person’s genetic makeup, life events, and environment to build a tailored plan that addresses the root causes from the ground up.
Start Your Functional Medicine Journey
If you’re ready to explore a more comprehensive, personalized approach to your health, Functional Medicine can help you uncover the “why” behind your symptoms and guide you toward lasting wellness.
Work with Dr. Alison Lechner to begin your journey to optimal health.