“Allow the fires of transformation to burn away all that doesn’t serve you.”

-Heather Ash Amara

What is Functional medicine?

According to the Institute For Functional Medicine, functional medicine determines how and why illness occurs and restores health by addressing the root causes of disease for each individual.

The Functional Medicine model is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness. It requires a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors and leverages that data to direct personalized treatment plans that lead to improved patient outcomes.

By addressing root cause, rather than symptoms, practitioners become oriented to identifying the complexity of disease. They may find one condition has many different causes and, likewise, one cause may result in many different conditions. As a result, Functional Medicine treatment targets the specific manifestations of disease in each individual.

common conditions treated

• Cardio-metabolic conditions – diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease

• Neurological and psychiatric conditions – depression, attention deficit disorder and migraine headaches

• Digestive disorders – irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, chronic pancreatitis, acid reflux and diverticulosis

• Autoimmune diseases – rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and celiac disease

• Skin disorders – psoriasis, acne and eczema

• Hormonal problems – thyroid conditions, chronic fatigue and menopause