What you need to know… 

What is functional medicine? 

Integrative medicine is a form of healthcare that focuses on restoring health and wellbeing by working with the natural biology of your body. It reveals what is not working the way that it should and what needs to happen to correct the problem. For example, someone may have an autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid gland like Hashimoto’s disease. 

The problem is that the immune system is attacking and destroying the thyroid gland. Our approach would seek to restore proper function and balance to the immune system. 

This is different than how traditional medicine doctors, like an endocrinologist (a doctor specializing in hormones) would look at the same problem. The endocrinologist would not address the immune system at all and focus only on the thyroid gland. The root cause of the disease is not a problem with the thyroid gland, the immune system contains the problem. I have never heard of an endocrinologist doing anything with Hashimoto’s disease other than prescribing thyroid hormones once enough of the thyroid gland had been destroyed by the immune system to warrant the prescription. 

See the difference is focus and priority. Functional medicine addresses what is causing the problem not the organ (thyroid gland) that is being attacked by the problem (immune system). 

Functional medicine uses diet, nutrition, and other forms of lifestyle modification to help your body work the way that it should. It focuses on causes of disease and illness. 

Can functional medicine help me? 

Functional medicine works to restore proper and healthy function to the body. If you have a health problem, then you have lost some degree of function in your body. As long as you have not lost 100% of the function of an organ or part of your body, then odds are, FM  can help you. 

Let’s use IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) as an example. This condition is classified as a functional bowel disorder. This means there is not a single cause for it and we do not diagnose it with tests. You receive this diagnosis based on your symptoms. I see many patients with IBS and they typically respond very well to an integrative medicine approach. It is a functional bowel disorder, so it responds well to a function-based treatment plan. 

Functional Medicine Method For IBS

Functional medicine is a holistic approach to health and wellness that focuses on the root cause of a person’s illness. It can help with IBS by addressing the underlying causes of the condition. It takes into account a person’s lifestyle, environment, and genetics, in order to identify the unique factors contributing to IBS. Through diet, lifestyle modifications, and nutritional supplementation, functional medicine can help reduce inflammation, improve gut health, and balance hormones. In addition, functional medicine practitioners may recommend therapies such as stress management, acupuncture, or yoga to help reduce symptoms of IBS. By focusing on the whole person and addressing all of the factors that may be contributing to IBS, functional medicine can provide a comprehensive and effective approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Many people we speak with, feel like they are stuck on a human hamster wheel with their health issues… running from doctor to doctor and trying one medication after another. Functional medicine might be the solution that gets you off the wheel and where you want to go. 

What is a functional medicine doctor? 

A functional medicine doctor is a any doctor who helps their patients in the way I have been explaining this so far. They look for the root cause of disease and illness and seek to reverse it with the natural healing mechanisms of the human body whenever possible. If the doctor just prescribes drugs they are not a FM medicine doctor. If they are not working with your diet, nutrition, and lifestyle choices, they are not a functional medicine doctor. Most doctors are not FM doctors. 

Do functional medicine doctors prescribe medications? 

Some doctors prescribe medications, and some do not. This depends on the doctor’s philosophy and ability to prescribe according to their license. Sometimes a patient requires medication. I am not in favor of or against medications. I believe that the use of medication is a decision that the individual and the doctor make together based on the information that is available. 

How is functional medicine different than what my doctor does? 

Naperville Integrative Wellness’ approach is probably very different than what your doctor does:

Traditional medicine: the philosophy of medicine today is that drugs and surgery are the best and most effective method of achieving health and wellbeing in most cases. 

Functional medicine: the philosophy of functional medicine is that our lifestyle choices are the best and most effective method of achieving health and wellbeing in most cases. 

What Is A Functional Medicine Specialist?

A functional medicine specialist is a healthcare professional who focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of chronic illness. Functional medicine takes a holistic approach to medical care, taking into account the patient’s lifestyle, diet, environment, and genetics. Functional medicine practitioners use lab testing and other diagnostic tools to evaluate a patient’s physical and mental health. They then develop personalized treatment plans that may include dietary changes, supplements, and lifestyle modifications. Functional medicine specialists work closely with patients to empower them to take charge of their own health and create lasting change. This type of healthcare focuses on prevention, helping patients to stay healthy and avoid future illness. Functional medicine is an excellent way for individuals to take control of their health and well-being. 

Will my health insurance pay for FM? 

Most health insurance companies say that they will provide insurance (payment to healthcare professionals) in the event that you require healthcare services. They also claim to be advocates of disease prevention. The problem with health insurance companies is that they equate health with the use of drugs. Their idea of healthcare is a pill for every ill and “disease prevention” therefore getting you on medications sooner than later.

Since FM medicine doctors do not have this same belief, they do not “follow the rules” of the insurance company. As a result, the services they provide are typically not covered or only partially covered in most cases. 

How do I find the right functional medicine doctor for me? 

Choosing a functional medicine doctor to work with is a big decision, It is important to collaborate with a doctor that can meet you where you are at in your health journey. Do your research on the doctor and their office practices and policies. Explore their website and see if they have any reviews. If all else fails, contact their office directly to get the answers you are looking for. 

You are forming a healthcare relationship with the doctor, the staff and the methods used in the office.  If is important that you feel comfortable and trust your doctor and the recommendations they will provide. We are all unique and not all personalities and methods   work well together. 

Top Choice For Chicago Functional Medicine

It is important to choose a functional medicine doctor in Chicago with the best reviews for several reasons. First, reviews are a good indication of the quality of care a doctor provides. Reviews can give you insight into a doctor’s bedside manner, communication skills, and overall care. Integrative Medicine Doctors with higher reviews tend to be more experienced and have better patient outcomes. Additionally, doctors with better reviews are more likely to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and treatments. This means they can provide more comprehensive care and give you options to help you manage your health. Finally, reviews can help you feel confident in your choice of doctor and build trust in the doctor-patient relationship. Choosing a fm doctor with the best reviews ensures that you will receive the best care possible.

Hopefully, this article answered some, if not all of your questions about integrative medicine. If you are still trying to understand, “what is functional medicine?”, please do not hesitate to give us a call!

My wish for you…health, happiness and a better quality of life! 

If you would like more information about integrative medicine and integrative medicine or Dr. Sexton go to www.napervilleintegratedwellness.com

Check out our Google reviews to see what others are saying about us.

Do your own research, inform yourself and ask lots of questions. When collecting information, you MUST consider the source. There is no shortage of false, misleading, outdated, profit-driven and utterly biased information in healthcare today; even from the most respected sources and organizations. 

This approach to healthcare is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease. This article is for information purposes and is not a substitute professional healthcare services. Contact our office for more information.