Common Questions about Functional Medicine
How functional medicine is different from your regular doctors?
Conventional medicine focuses more on symptoms and diseases, while functional medicine focuses on fixing the root cause and wellness. One example is of an overflowing sink: a sink that has been left on for days may begin to overflow onto the surrounding floor. While conventional medicine will begin to mop up the floor (symptom), functional medicine looks to turn the faucet off (cause).
How can functional medicine help me?
If you have been struggling with a health ailment, or been told that your labs are “normal” but you still feel bad, would like to be proactive instead of reactive with your health, or would like to reduce the need for medications, then Functional Medicine can help you. With customized treatment plans, health education, and coaching, our clients see great results.
What conditions can be treated with functional medicine?
Autoimmune conditions, IBS, allergies, anxiety, depression, hormonal imbalances, high blood pressure, fatigue, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disorders
When should I avoid functional medicine?
- Those who do NOT want a resolution to their health problem
- Those who want to take medications for the rest of their life
- Those who would rather NOT reach their full potential
- Those who would like to spend the last years of their life sick and dependent on others
- Those who do NOT want to drastically reduce their risk of all diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc.
- Those who do NOT want to know more about their health and body
Why Functional Medicine is Beneficial
New Health Problems
We cannot fix 21st century health problems with 20th century thinking.
The health problems of the 21st century are turning out to be very complex. Due to record stress in our lives, toxins in the world, and low nutrient-food, people are developing chronic diseases at a record pace. See ‘Conditions’ to see many of these chronic diseases.
Fix the Cause
Whether it is a chronic infection, toxins, stress, or poor diet and lifestyle, every so-called “disease” has a cause or causes. The Functional medicine matrix digs deeper to find the cause of health ailments and then fixes your body, from the roots-up. Instead of covering up symptoms like high blood pressure and depression with medications, Dr. Gerlach believes in fixing the real problem, so that medications are not needed.
Functional Medicine is...
Personalized: Every person has unique DNA, history, and environment. All of these affect health outcomes. Because of this, every person’s health plan will be different and unique, just as medicine should be!
Proactive: Instead of waiting for disease, functional medicine promotes health prior to getting sick. It is much easier to maintain health, rather than try to get it back.
Predictive: certain tests can predict whether you are at risk for disease and early aging, or for true health. These tests tell us what can be done to correct the problem.
Participatory: Health does not happen by accident. Each patient must make steps towards becoming the healthiest person possible.
Holistic Medicine
Conventional Medicine looks at the body as separate systems (gastroenterology, dermatology, circulatory..etc.). Functional Medicine acknowledges that the body is interconnected and has to be treated as such. Being able to connect the dots of symptoms, conditions, and body systems gives functional medicine an edge when it comes to finding and fixing health ailments.
Cost Effective
Functional Medicine tends to produce better patient outcomes while being more cost-effective than conventional medicine. Instead of using drugs or surgery, lifestyle changes and nutrition are the cornerstone treatments. As you begin to rebuild your health and your life, other aspects of your life such as relationships, work, and finances can strengthen. Besides, your greatest wealth is your health!
Patient Centered
Functional Medicine Practitioners spend much more time with their patients. This gives the doctor and the patient time to dive deep into the history and figure out possible causes of disease. We feel that building a relationship with your doctor allows for better patient outcomes.
Functional Medicine versus Conventional Medicine
Functional Medicine
- Patient centered
- Health centered
- Personalized medicine
- Holistic
- Cost effective
- Underlying cause of disease (WHY)
Conventional Medicine
- Doctor centered
- Disease centered
- Patients treated the same
- Specialized systems
- Expensive
- Diagnosis driven (WHAT)
