How Can Functional Medicine Help Me?

May 15, 2019 0 Comments

Functional Medicine

The Lamkin Clinic is a proud practitioner of Functional Medicine, an approach many are calling the future of medicine.

When it comes to functional medicine, there’s a lot to unpack, but if there’s one thing you take away from this article let it be this: functional medicine is an approach to medicine that seeks to address the root causes of disease, not just a set of symptoms.

With this article, we hope to not only explain functional medicine and how it can help you but to also shine a light on what our clinic is about and why we do what we do.

Functional Medicine Basics

Like we said above, functional medicine looks at the body as a whole and seeks to identify and address the root causes of disease.

Most importantly, functional medicine views the body as one integrated system, not a collection of independent organs divided up by medical specialties. It treats the whole system, not just the symptoms.

It has inspired the team at the Lamkin Clinic to take on a new approach of:

Understanding
Assessing
Preventing
Treating

We use a variety of science-based approaches to find and treat underlying imbalances in how the body’s systems are functioning. To do this, we spend more time with our patients because we know that each patient is unique and has a unique past, concerns, and goals when it comes to health.

We investigate and consider genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors that interact with the body’s systems to create dysfunction. Then we use our findings to tailor treatment plans to restore the body’s function and return our patients to optimal health.

This approach of assessing how the body’s systems are connected and the effects of external factors differ from conventional medicine, which is based on compartmentalization into specialties.

These specialties are centered on the different organ systems (i.e., neurology, cardiology, etc.) and while it is important to consider the individual parts of the body, we believe that the functional medicine model acts as a bridge to understanding how one part of the body may cause issues in another, and how we can treat the entire system.

How We Use Functional Medicine

Apart from offering our patients the best care possible, we are fans of the functional medicine approach for three specific reasons. When you visit the Lamkin Clinic, we guarantee the following:

Patient-Centered Care

In today’s healthcare, patients often feel like they’re ushered in and out doctor’s offices and pharmacies, but at the Lamkin Clinic, we spend more time with our patients.

Above all, we want to learn your story and include you in the discovery process of optimizing your health. We’ll listen to your health history, concerns, and goals, and then work with you to tailor the best treatment plan for your unique needs.

Integrative Approach

Bodies and health are complex! And to treat you, we will consider all of the pieces of the puzzle from your wellbeing.

Physiology
Lifestyle
Genetic makeup
Internal (mind, body, and spirit) factors
External (physical, social, and environmental) factors

We follow science-based approaches in our treatment plans.

Best Medical Practices

Functional medicine creates a focus on prevention by integrating traditional Western medicine with:

Nutrition
Exercise
Lab testing
Diagnostics

For instance, we may also prescribe a combination of:

Drugs and botanical medicines
Supplements
Therapeutic diets
Detoxification programs
Stress-management practices

Who is Functional Medicine For?

If you’ve ever visited your doctor and still felt sick, had blood tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic tests performed just to be told things appear “normal,” yet both you and your doctor know you’re suffering–functional medicine could be beneficial for you.

Are you taking medications and only feeling partial relief? Or are you dealing with side effects? You should consider functional medicine.

Additionally, patients with a wide variety of conditions, like:

Cardiometabolic conditions – diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease
Neurological and psychiatric conditions – depression, attention deficit disorder, and migraine headaches
Digestive disorders – irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, chronic pancreatitis, acid reflux, and diverticulosis
Autoimmune diseases – rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and celiac disease
Skin disorders – psoriasis, acne, and eczema
Hormonal problems – thyroid conditions, chronic fatigue, and menopause

Can you identify with any of the above? If so, even if you feel as healthy as can be, prevention is always the best approach!

The Lamkin Clinic helps patients who are seeking preventative care and the prevention of cognitive decline. If you’re looking for more life in your years, functional medicine could be the answer!

The Lamkin Clinic Can Help!

Schedule your consultation now with the Lamkin Clinic! We’ll collaborate with you on your health to find the best solution for your unique health needs and goals.

Don’t let another day go by without feeling your best. Can’t make it to our clinic? We offer Telemedicine services. Learn more here!