“for the part can never be well unless the whole is well.” Socrates
MyApproach
In my practice I use principles of functional medicine, with an emphasis on nutritional healing - the foundation of using food as medicine. Within this framework, I also look at lifestyle, environment, and emotional connection. I am holistic; I take into account all aspects of a person - their social, emotional, physical and spiritual bodies - when treating illness.
What is Functional Medicine
Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century.
By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person - not only an isolated set of symptoms. Functional Medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, Functional Medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.
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 approach to health-care. 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 function.
Integrating best medical practices. Functional Medicine integrates Western medical practices and Naturopathic 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 drug and/or botanical medicines, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs or stress-management techniques.
Adapted from http://www.functionalmedicine.org/
What is Functional Nutrition
Functional nutrition fits within the framework of functional medicine. It aims to support health and healing through the power of food, as well as other environmental and lifestyle modifications. Recommendations are individualized based on history, lifestyle, physiology and biochemistry. Functional nutrition recognizes that food affects the body at a cellular level. By properly fueling the body with appropriate nutrition, it allows the body to function the way it was designed to and has a profound affect on our healing.
The food we choose to put into our bodies directly effects the development of disease, as well as having the potential to directly effect healing, and generally how we feel. Quality nutrition can help prevent chronic disease that plagues so many of us and it can help dial back the symptoms that may have already taken hold.
When we begin to think of food as medicine, our whole way of eating and our relationship with food shifts. We begin to appreciate the impact food has on our body and the way it makes us feel. We are able to enjoy delicious whole foods that sustain the body, and empower it to fight disease.
What is Holistic Health
Holistic health is based on an ancient philosophy which considers the whole person as an integrated system, rather than specific symptoms or parts of the body. It values and considers all elements: mind, body, spirit; our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual parts. It also extends to the environment and relationships, because when one of these parts is not functioning it impacts the rest. For example, when emotions are suppressed for a long time, physical symptoms begin to present themselves.
Holistic health recognizes that our health is an ever-changing continuum; each choice that is made or action that is taken in any area of life either moves us closer towards, or farther away from well-being.This well-being is achieved when individuals accept responsibility for their own health and put themselves in charge. The goal is to create balance as a whole being.
Get in Touch
Please contact me for a free 15 minute consultation about my work, or to determine if I would be a good fit for you.
