Functional Medicine
What Is Functional Medicine?
Have you ever wondered why two people with the same diagnosis can receive the same treatment, yet one recovers while the other continues to struggle?
Those are the questions Functional Medicine encourages us to ask.
Instead of focusing only on what disease is present, Functional Medicine also asks why it developed. Looking beyond a diagnosis often provides a better understanding of the factors influencing health and allows treatment to be tailored to the individual rather than the diagnosis.
At Integrative Medical Specialists, Functional Medicine is one of the many clinical approaches incorporated into the care provided by our Licensed Naturopathic Doctors. Combined with Naturopathic Medicine and Integrative Healthcare, it helps us better understand the whole person and develop personalized recommendations designed to support better health.
Since 2004, our doctors have helped patients throughout Olathe, the Kansas City metropolitan area, Kansas, Missouri, and beyond by taking the time to listen, investigate, and look for the factors that may be contributing to their health concerns.
Why Our Approach Is Different
Our approach begins with our Naturopathic Medical Education and Clinical Training.
Functional Medicine is one of the many clinical approaches incorporated throughout our Naturopathic Medical Education and Clinical Training.
Licensed Naturopathic Doctors receive extensive education in Functional Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Diagnosis, Physical Examination, Laboratory Interpretation, Clinical Nutrition, Botanical Medicine, Homeopathy, Lifestyle Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Pharmacology, and Systems-Based Healthcare.
This broad medical education allows us to understand both conventional and natural approaches to healthcare while developing personalized treatment recommendations for each patient.
For us, Functional Medicine is one of the many clinical approaches we use within the broader practice of Naturopathic Medicine and Integrative Healthcare.
Everything Is Connected
The body doesn’t work as a collection of separate parts. The Digestive, Immune, Endocrine, Nervous, Cardiovascular, and other body systems continually influence one another.
Symptoms affecting one area of the body may actually begin somewhere else. Digestive Health can influence the Immune System. Chronic stress may affect Hormone Balance. Inflammation in one system may contribute to symptoms throughout the body.
Understanding these relationships often helps explain why symptoms develop and provides a clearer direction for treatment.
Looking Deeper
Sometimes the answers are obvious. Other times, they require looking beyond symptoms alone.
When appropriate, our doctors combine your Health History, Physical Examination, Comprehensive Laboratory Assessment, Diagnostic Imaging Review, Traditional Chinese Medicine Assessment, Lifestyle Factors, and other clinical findings to develop a more complete understanding of your health.
By putting all of these pieces together, we often gain a clearer understanding of Nutritional Status, Hormone Balance, Inflammation, Metabolic Function, Digestive Health, Immune Function, and other factors influencing overall health.
Personalized Care
No two patients are exactly alike, so treatment recommendations should not be either.
Depending on your individual needs, recommendations may include:
- Clinical Nutrition
- Therapeutic Dietary Strategies
- Botanical Medicine
- Nutritional Supplementation
- Lifestyle and Exercise Guidance
- Stress Management
- Homeopathic Therapies
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Detoxification Support, when appropriate
- Patient Education
Our goal is to provide practical, individualized care that helps patients better understand their health and make informed decisions about their treatment.
A Commitment to Clinical Excellence
Healthcare is continually evolving, and so is our profession.
Kansas Licensed Naturopathic Doctors complete more than 50 hours of Continuing Medical Education each year to maintain licensure. Our ongoing education includes advances in Functional Medicine, Integrative Healthcare, Clinical Nutrition, Pharmacology, Comprehensive Laboratory Assessment, and evidence-informed patient care so we can continue providing thoughtful, current healthcare to our patients.
Begin Your Journey to Better Health
Whether you are searching for answers to a chronic health concern or simply want a more personalized approach to your healthcare, our Licensed Naturopathic Doctors are here to help.