Facts to Know about Functional Medicine
Functional medicine generally refers to an approach in which chronic disease is prevented and reversed by treating the root cause. It does not focus on disease symptoms as different patients may exhibit varying signs for a common issue. That makes Functional Medicine personalized for every individual, based on the unique environmental and genetic variations. Below are a few interesting facts about functional medicine that you should know.
Functional Medicine Treats the Individual and Not the Disease
According to functional medicine, diseases and symptoms are not treated. Treatment is solely focused on the individual to ensure that the body has everything it needs to function optimally. In other words, it helps to optimize the natural self-healing mechanism that the body already has as opposed to tackling any particular disease or symptom that you may have.
Functional Medicine Is Used Even When You Are Well
With functional medicine, health refers to a lot more than just the absence of an ailment or disease. It is more to do with your overall wellness. That means that treatment through functional medicine is a form of a lifestyle that keeps diseases at bay. You get to make fewer trips to the doctor as a result.
Functional Medicine Gives Patients More Control
Given that functional medicine focuses on treating the root cause of any problem, the patient controls how the treatment will be carried out. The patient has to disclose all relevant information regarding his health and lifestyle to get an effective treatment plan. The patient also has to take an active role in following at-home instructions and monitoring their overall health.
Functional Medicine Might Not Be Covered by Insurance
One major drawback of functional medicine is that it is usually not covered by insurance. That is mainly because most insurance companies require a diagnosis and prescription, which functional medicine does not provide. Most doctors will charge based on time instead of diagnosis, an expense that may have to come from your pocket. However, functional medicine is a preventative approach. That can make it cost-effective in the long run by limiting your visits to the doctor.
Functional Medicine Can Have Prescriptions
You can also expect to get prescriptions in functional medicine. However, prescriptions usually come as dietary supplements, exercise, dietary adjustments, and various other lifestyle adjustments. For example, a conventional doctor may prescribe an antacid for acid reflux, while a functional medicine doctor may suggest eliminating spicy and high-acid foods in your diet.
