You are a unique individual with a unique set of genes, in your own unique environment and therefore require a unique and personalized treatment plan.

At the beginning of the millennia, the medical community believed that individuals’ genes would lead us to knowledge of curing diseases. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Recent research has led us to conclude that disease matrices are not so simple. After spending 2.7 billion dollars on the human genome project, doctors have discovered that only 3-7% of diseases can be directly traced to one gene. Even in these patients, the environment communicating with the genes led to different outcomes in different patients. What has been found is the environment that you are in is more deterministic of what happens to you than your genes.

By listening to your story and timeline, which tells us about your environment, we bring you into the discovery process of why you became ill and then tailor testing and treatment to meet your needs. This will involve modifying your lifestyle as well as correcting imbalances found through testing. Changing your lifestyle or adopting new habits can be intimidating. Science has shown that our health can be brought back into balance by incorporating various lifestyle techniques and good habits into our routine. Even a little change at a time can make a difference and how fast or slow you want to take it will depend on you. Some of you may need a health coach to hold your hand from time to time. This can be arranged. Remember what brought you to search for FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE and know then that it will take your participation in the process.

Functional Medicine has taught us that most diseases arise from imbalances in our core systems. There are 5 core systems - Gut Health, Immunity and Inflammation, Optimal Energy, Hormone Regulation and Detoxification. All of these systems are in constant communication and work symbiotically with each other. Therefore, an imbalance occurring in one system can affect multiple other systems which then affects the whole body and mind leading to diseases. This is why one disease can be caused by several imbalances and one imbalance can lead to several diseases.

For example, someone diagnosed with depression (one disease) from a traditional practitioner may be prescribed a drug or counseling. A Functional Medicine approach would expand on this diagnosis looking at the core systems and the patient’s environment. In this model, depression is therefore a disease whose root cause may have been in the following imbalances - gluten intolerance and impaired digestion, impaired hormones and neurotransmitters, grief and low energy, low grade infection and low energy, etc. Once we know which systems are involved, we can order appropriate testing from both conventional tests as well as those that are designed to look at your body more functionally.

This is the science of looking at the root cause of your health problems.

The results of your lab testing are used to personalize a treatment plan with medications, vitamins, supplements, botanical medicines, dietary regimens, detoxification and stress management programs. Modalities from different types of medical practices are also incorporated, such as acupuncture from Chinese Medicine or dietary recipes for healing the gut formulated from Ayurvedic principles, using community to heal from American Indian medicine, etc.

Just as medicine and herbs are used to treat your symptoms, lifestyle habits are used to bring balance to the core systems in your body to get rid of the disease state.

Our core systems respond to circadian rhythms, movement and oxygenation, proper breathing techniques and stress management, optimal diet and hydration, and fostering a supportive community around you. Therefore, adequate amounts of sunlight, quality sleep, proper wake and bedtimes, meal times, taking time for managing stress through breathing, awareness or meditation, exercise or movement regimens, nutritious food, and loving relationships will help you bring your systems into balance.

To work efficiently, these practices have to become a daily rhythm and routine. While making these a permanent part of your lifestyle, accountability and support can be very helpful. This is why at FAIM, I will refer you to health coaching or group visits for diets if you feel that you need someone to hold your hand in your journey.