Functional medicine is a holistic approach that helps doctors identify and address the root cause of chronic problems. The model includes therapeutic approaches to help understand the patients and enhance their collaboration with health specialists. Here are four other features of holistic medicine:

1. Multimodal Treatments

Multimodal treatments are interventions to help reduce the risks of health problems and enhance one’s well-being. An integrated health expert may provide this treatment plan to help a patient manage depression, stress, and other psychological issues. A proper multimodal approach could make the treatments of chronic conditions like cardiovascular diseases more efficient and effective.

This treatment plan may include risk assessment, pharmacological supplements, and lifestyle changes. Integrated medicine specialists examine risk factors like excess weight and their relation to heart problems. The specialist may recommend lifestyle changes like low-sugar intake or a low-carbohydrate diet to manage the identified risk factors.

Functional medicine experts also provide holistic nutritional treatments as multimodal interventions. Functional nutrition can include monitoring or tracking a patient’s sugar levels or nutritional intake. These approaches may enhance a patient’s digestive health and sleep quality.

2. Patient-centered Care

Integrated medicine involves close collaboration with the patients to determine the most appropriate treatment plans. The health specialists foster proper communication to encourage patients to open up about their health histories. Healthcare providers embrace quality and personalized testing or diagnostic processes to identify underlying issues. Clinicians may also work with the patients to determine appropriate therapies and achievable health goals.

A patient-based care approach includes respecting a patient’s personality, values, and needs. Professional holistic medicine practitioners inform the clients about their prognosis, clinical status, and care processes to eliminate fear. Other principles of this approach include emotional support and the involvement of a patient’s loved ones.

3. Science-based Systems 

Science-based systems involve the use of biology to identify and address the imbalances in a patient’s body. An integrated medicine expert may perform a genetic test to determine a possible response of the patient’s body to treatments. Systems biology could include biochemical analysis to help know liver or kidney performance and blood nutrients or enzymes.

The approach can enable a holistic medicine practitioner to understand how the patient’s body absorbs nutrients. Integrated medicine doctors may examine digestive, immune, hematologic, or nervous systems to understand the body’s food processing and assimilation. Other physiological processes that systems biology can address include nutrient excretion, energy production, and structural integrity.

4. Upstream Signal Modulation

Functional medicine doctors can perform upstream signal modulation as part of longevity medicine. Upstream signal modulation helps address body process imbalances or dysregulations instead of focusing on a problem’s symptoms. Integrated health specialists aim to stop the body from producing toxins that cause dysregulation to promote long-term wellness. This approach may enlighten a functional health expert about a patient’s gene activities and their regulatory influences.

Understanding Functional Medicine Elements

Integrated medicine can be an ideal option for anyone with hormonal imbalances because of many treatment options. The approach may use treatment methods like health coaching, detoxification programs, compounded medications, and natural or herbal supplements. These treatment options focus on promoting cellular health and a patient’s overall quality of life.

Integrated medicine also includes exercise analysis to increase the patient’s energy levels and stave off potential illnesses. The movement and fitness plan created by holistic medicine doctors aims to improve the flexibility of joints and muscles. Exercise analysis in integrated medicine can help aid in pain management for patients suffering from chronic fatigue. 

Try Functional Medicine Treatment Today

Functional medicine may be the ideal treatment for your stress management and prevention of chronic conditions. The approach includes multimodal, patient-based care, upstream signal modulation, and science-based treatments. Integrated medicine aims to promote sleep quality, proper hormonal balance, mobility, and long-term emotional health. Schedule an appointment with a healthcare expert today to begin your healing journey.