Does Functional Medicine Work? Learn Why It’s More Than Just Hype
If you’ve been struggling with chronic pain for a long time and are tired of the recurring symptoms, you wish you could get to the root of your discomfort. Maybe you’ve heard that functional medicine may offer a solution, or perhaps someone recommended it to you. But you might wonder whether it’s just hype or could really help you with your condition.
Rest assured that research on the effectiveness and safety of functional medicine exists. Furthermore, there is solid evidence that this more natural form of care has helped many individuals address the root causes of their conditions, leading to positive health outcomes and improved quality of life. We outline what functional medicine is, the evidence of its effectiveness, and the kinds of issues this form of care can address.
What Is Functional Medicine?
There are integrative and holistic providers in your area, like Dr. Blatman, who practice functional medicine. They work to uncover the underlying factors contributing to chronic disease. This approach goes beyond treating symptoms and instead addresses the root causes to improve physical, cognitive, and emotional health.
What makes functional medicine effective is its patient-centered approach to treating illness and injury. A functional medical provider digs deep to learn a patient’s medical history, lifestyle habits, preferences, family history, and other factors that contribute to their overall health. Getting a picture of the whole person, not just their symptoms, enables providers to generate a comprehensive therapy plan that meets their unique needs.
People seek functional medical care for various chronic issues that affect mental and physical health, including
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- Allergies
- Arthritis and other types of joint pain
- Asthma
- Celiac disease
- Chronic pain
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Heart disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Side effects from cancer treatment
- Thyroid disorders
You don’t need a chronic condition to seek functional medicine. At Blatman Health and Wellness Center, we see many clients who enjoy relatively good health but want to take steps to maximize their well-being before problems arise.
Is Functional Medicine Effective?
There is a strong connection between functional medicine and positive health outcomes. For instance, a study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine found that receiving functional medical care improves health-related quality of life. Compared with patients receiving traditional treatment, participants in the study who received care at the Center reported significantly better physical outcomes.
Using the well-validated Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS), researchers compared multiple health outcomes of patients in functional medical centers and traditional family health clinics. They found that functional medicine patients showed significant improvements in the PROMIS Global Physical Health metric after six months compared with patients in the other group, and those improvements were sustained after one year.
The PROMIS study also found that functional medicine tends to be less expensive and more effective in treating inflammatory arthritis, thyroid disease, and other chronic conditions. Compared to the traditional medical care group, the functional medical patients had higher physical and mental health scores. Patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis showed lower levels of inflammatory markers and greater symptom improvement. Moreover, people with inflammatory arthritis scored higher in pain and physical health.
Who Should See a Functional Medicine Doctor?
Whether you’re living with a chronic condition or want to be more proactive in your preventive care, there are several reasons to consider functional medicine.
First, you may benefit from this approach if you want more personalized care. If you appreciate a doctor who takes time with you instead of rushing through your visit, then functional medicine may be for you. Providers like Dr. Blatman will slow down and investigate all the physical, mental, and lifestyle factors contributing to your symptoms. You can be sure he’ll get to know you as a unique person, not just a collection of symptoms to be combatted.
Another reason to seek functional medicine is when you’re not responding to traditional medicine. Some prescription medications and conventional treatments may mask symptoms or provide momentary relief. However, alternative methods in functional medicine, such as targeted therapies, supplementation, focused nutritional guidance, or lifestyle changes, are designed to reduce or eliminate your need for prescription drugs or procedures that come with complications. Holistic approaches can even supplement traditional medical care for a more balanced approach to overall wellness.
Trusted Functional Medical Care from Dr. Blatman
When searching for practitioners qualified in holistic or integrative medicine, it’s essential to ensure that your potential provider has a valid license and the necessary medical credentials. Additionally, verify that your doctor holds board certification in this field, as does Dr. Blatman, the founder and medical director of Blatman Health and Wellness Center.
Treating the whole person and addressing the root causes of illness are core principles of functional medicine, and this is what we do for our patients. Rest assured that the functional medicine you receive at our Centers in Cincinnati and New York City will help you achieve optimal health outcomes. Schedule an appointment with us today and learn how you can benefit from this patient-friendly medical specialty.
