The functional medicine model encompasses a well-rounded approach to health care that looks at each individual as a whole as its primary focus. Practitioners identify and address the underlying causes of disease and dysfunction in order to accomplish true wellness promotion.  Functional medicine uses a systems-oriented approach and engages both the patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. The focus of functional medicine is more patient-centered as compared to the traditional medical model's disease-centered approach, in which the patient is treated as a whole person rather than just a set of isolated symptoms. Many factors (environmental, lifestyle, genetic, etc.) can influence a person's internal physiologic environment and it is the goal of the Functional Medicine practitioner to identify these factors to provide long-term health promotion and disease prevention. Functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual. Dr. Jessica Gerhart is a certified functional medicine practitioner and attributes this approach as the driving force in her passion for helping others in their quest for true health and wellness.

Why Do We Need Functional Medicine?

• The society we live in today is showing vast increases in the amount of chronic diseases present in our population, , such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and heart disease.
• The traditional medical model is designed for acute care in which their focus is on treating urgent conditions for a short period of time in order to resolve the condition immediately, such as a fractured bone or appendicitis.
• This acute care approach has become the norm in our society but does not accurately address chronic conditions because the focus of treatment is on symptom management only.
• Chronic disease treatment and prevention needs to be addressed by taking into account the individuality of every patient and the environmental, physical, chemical, and mental stressors that can affect and promote a chronic disease state.
• Most physicians are not properly trained in identifying underlying causes of chronic diseases and how to apply strategies, in terms of nutrition, diet, and exercise, in order to treat and prevent illness.

What makes Functional Medicine different?Functional medicine involves understanding the origins, prevention, and treatment of complex, chronic disease. Hallmarks of a functional medicine approach include:

• Patient-centered care. The focus of functional medicine is on patient-centered care, promoting health as a positive vitality, beyond just the absence of disease. By listening to the patient and learning his or her story, the practitioner brings the patient into the discovery process and tailors treatments that address the individual’s unique needs.
• An integrative, science-based healthcare approach. Functional medicine practitioners look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each patient is considered, along with both internal (mind, body, and spirit) and external (physical and social environment) factors that affect total functioning.
• Integrating best medical practices. Functional medicine integrates traditional Western medical practices with what is sometimes considered “alternative” or “integrative” medicine, creating a focus on prevention through nutrition, diet, and exercise; use of the latest laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques; and prescribed combinations of drugs and/or botanical medicines, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, or stress-management techniques.