Home / Services / Lifestyle Medicine / Functional Medicine
Functional Medicine
What Is Functional Medicine?
Our compassionate care approach to functional and lifestyle medicine at Old Mission Lifestyle Medicine focuses on health, wellness, and longevity. Our team goes beyond the symptoms of certain conditions, looking for underlying imbalances in the body to discover whether nutritional deficiencies, environmental contaminants, food allergies, excessive stress, or other lifestyle issues are the root causes of illnesses. We leverage the power of the following six fundamental concepts in preventing, treating, and sometimes reversing most medical issues:
- Nutrition
- Regular exercise
- Restorative sleep
- Stress management
- Supplements
- Healthy relationships
Our team of holistic wellness specialists incorporates natural medicine and clinically proven therapeutic lifestyle solutions to treat and prevent chronic conditions. Schedule a virtual consultation today to learn more about how we can help support lifestyle changes that could prevent and treat chronic disease to possibly reverse its effects.
What Can I Expect from Functional Medicine?
Our team will conduct a comprehensive assessment, including an evaluation of your genetic background using cutting-edge advanced testing methods, to create a personalized care plan. Studies indicate that there is a direct correlation between lifestyle choices and the principles of functional medicine in managing chronic illnesses. Lifestyle medicine addresses the underlying causes of diseases by implementing effective strategies and preventing harmful habits. Such habits and behaviors are known to lead to chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, back pain, obesity, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, allergies, depression, kidney disease, high cholesterol, and heart failure. Our lifestyle medicine approach focuses on key behaviors to enhance your overall health and centers around six important areas:
6 Pillars To Focus On
- Nutrition: Advocates for a diet rich in whole foods, emphasizing a reduction in processed items, added sugars, and unhealthy fats
- Exercise: Promotes consistent physical activity, which offers a wide range of health benefits, from enhanced heart health to a better mental state
- Sleep: Stresses the importance of cultivating healthy sleeping patterns to ensure restorative sleep, crucial for overall health and vitality
- Stress management: Offers training in methods, such as mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises, to help reduce stress levels
- Supplements: Encourages taking healthy vitamin and mineral supplements, advises against the use of tobacco, and suggests moderating or abstaining from alcohol and avoiding recreational drug use
- Relationships: Underlines the significance of nurturing positive social connections for both emotional and physical health
Follow-up appointments allow us to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans as needed based on the patient’s response to interventions. Ongoing interaction between our clients and physicians fosters a strong therapeutic relationship, which is a fundamental part of functional medicine. We encourage open communication, shared decision-making, and a collaborative approach to healthcare.
What Are the Benefits of Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is evolving healthcare at Old Mission Lifestyle Medicine, prioritizing the treatment of the underlying causes of diseases rather than just relieving symptoms. Our comprehensive methods combine traditional medical practices with cutting-edge resources and therapies for a holistic health and wellness strategy, providing several key advantages:
- Targets the root cause: Identifying the underlying cause of an illness allows for a collaborative discussion between you and your healthcare provider about lifestyle modifications and alternative therapies
- Holistic and multidisciplinary strategy: By taking a comprehensive view of a patient’s health, examining medical history, genetics, biochemistry, lifestyle, environmental influences, and physiological factors, this approach emphasizes holistic and integrative medicine, incorporating alternative treatments to improve nutrition, physical activity, sleep quality, and stress management
- Personalized treatment plans: Treatment strategies in functional medicine are highly personalized, taking into account details of a patient’s history and lifestyle
Is Functional Medicine Right for Me?
Candidates for functional medicine are individuals seeking a personalized, holistic approach to address chronic health conditions, improve overall wellness, or prevent future illnesses. This approach is ideal for those experiencing persistent symptoms like fatigue, digestive issues, or hormonal imbalances that have not been resolved through traditional medical care. Functional medicine focuses on uncovering and treating the root causes of health concerns, making it a great option for individuals looking to take an active role in optimizing their health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Functional Medicine
How does functional medicine address chronic diseases?
People often ask, “Does functional medicine work for chronic diseases?” The answer lies in its unique approach. Functional medicine focuses on identifying and treating the root causes of health issues rather than just masking symptoms. For those wondering, “Does functional medicine work?”—it often does because it tailors care plans to each individual. This method considers critical factors like nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, relationships, and even supplements to create a personalized strategy for improving health.
When discussing this approach, many also ask about the functional medicine cost. The cost depends on the complexity of the condition, initial consultations, and any testing or follow-ups. While functional medicine cost varies, many patients find the investment worthwhile when they experience improved health outcomes.
Another frequent question is, “Does insurance cover functional medicine?” Most insurance plans do not cover functional medicine, so patients typically pay out of pocket. This reality raises the functional medicine cost for many people, but the potential to reverse or prevent chronic conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease can make it valuable.
If you’re asking, “Does functional medicine work?” or researching the functional medicine cost, understanding its holistic and tailored approach can help you decide if it’s right for your health journey.
Can functional medicine be integrated with traditional medical treatments?
Yes! Doctors can effectively blend functional medicine with conventional medical care to create comprehensive treatment plans. Many patients ask “does functional medicine work?” Studies show functional medicine works best when practitioners use it alongside traditional treatments, addressing both immediate health concerns and root causes. While functional medicine cost varies by provider and treatment plan, many patients find the long-term benefits outweigh the investment.
A common question is “does insurance cover functional medicine?” While some insurance plans cover certain functional medicine services, coverage varies significantly between providers. The functional medicine cost typically includes detailed testing, personalized treatment plans, and longer appointments than conventional medical visits. When patients ask “does functional medicine work?” we point to our success in treating chronic conditions through this combined approach.
At Old Mission Lifestyle Medicine, we integrate natural solutions and lifestyle modifications with conventional medical practices. The functional medicine cost includes comprehensive health assessments and personalized care plans. Though some patients wonder “does insurance cover functional medicine?” and “does functional medicine work?” our results show that this integrative approach helps achieve better health outcomes by treating the whole person rather than just managing symptoms.
What kind of lifestyle changes might be recommended in functional medicine?
When patients ask “does functional medicine work?” practitioners emphasize that success largely depends on following personalized lifestyle recommendations. While functional medicine cost includes comprehensive guidance, many changes you can implement at home enhance your treatment’s effectiveness. Though some wonder “does insurance cover functional medicine?” making these recommended lifestyle changes often proves cost-effective long-term.
The functional medicine cost typically covers detailed plans for dietary modifications, exercise routines, and stress management techniques. Research shows functional medicine works best when patients commit to these lifestyle adjustments. Your doctor might recommend specific supplements, though “does insurance cover functional medicine?” becomes relevant when discussing supplement expenses.
Beyond treatment costs, does functional medicine work without lifestyle changes? Evidence suggests that success rates increase significantly when patients follow recommendations for improved sleep patterns, stress reduction, and stronger social connections. While functional medicine cost varies by provider, these lifestyle modifications form a crucial part of your treatment plan. When asking “does insurance cover functional medicine?” remember that many preventive lifestyle changes require minimal financial investment but yield significant health benefits. The key lies in creating sustainable habits that support your body’s natural healing processes.
Health, Wellness, and Longevity
Old Mission Lifestyle Medicine is a health, wellness, and longevity medical practice that specializes in functional and lifestyle medicine. Our progressive approach can help you manage your wellness journey, considering new and different ways to be healthy that lead to a better lifestyle. Our team considers the big picture of each patient’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Schedule a virtual appointment to work with our healthcare professionals for better health and quality of life.
READY TO GET STARTED?
GET IN TOUCH