The Pros And Cons Of Functional Medicine

Today people are seeking alternative methods of medical care. Functional medicine is a holistic approach to treatment and aspires to treat a patient not only physically but also on an emotional and spiritual level. This treatment is based on the assumption that every individual is unique and has a distinct biochemistry. Functional medicine, often referred to as the medicine of the future is a holistic treatment which takes into account the well being and lifestyle of an individual. The treatments are usually personalised where the patient also plays an active role in the treatment as often radical changes in diet and lifestyle are required.

The treatment is anchored on the philosophy that dynamic balance exists between an individual's internal and external factors. Disease or illness occurs when this balance is disturbed. Functional medicine is rooted in two simple scientific principles which advocate adding what is deficient to help the body achieve an optimal state of functioning and removing anything which hampers its journey towards achieving an optimal physiology. Unlike conventional medicine
It provides independent treatments for each of the body's organisation. However an individual is made of intricate web like networks involving the mind and the body which are in constant communication with each other. The name of the disease does not matter more than the cause.

Hence a psychiatrist may not be able to effectively treat a depressed patient by antidepressants as the underlying cause maybe a hormonal imbalance like a low functioning thyroid. Functional medicine unlike conventional medicine is not compartmentalised and tries to delve into underlying causes where treatments are customised to the cause rather than the disease.

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