Functional Medicine in Tempe AZ
According to the CDC, up to 40% of premature deaths in the United States are preventable. With the rise of disease and millions spent on healthcare, people are looking for alternatives to traditional medicine.
Functional medicine is the new buzzword in healthcare. Too often, doctors treat the disease, not the patient.
Functional medicine takes a holistic approach to healthcare. And it’s becoming a popular alternative for wellness seekers. Here’s a guide to functional medicine in Tempe AZ.
What Is Functional Medicine
The goal of functional medicine is to find the root cause of disease. Traditional medicine often treats symptoms rather than the underlying cause of disease.
Functional medicine takes a more holistic approach. The focus is on the individual and why they are sick.
The care varies based on the patient’s needs. A functional medicine doctor considers a patient’s lifestyle, history, and lab results.
They will recommend a treatment tailored to the patient’s needs. Functional medicine doctors do not ignore medication, but they don’t believe in a blanket approach to treating disease.
Many functional medicine providers place a strong focus on preventing disease and living a healthy lifestyle.
Who Benefits From Functional Medicine
Many people look to functional medicine when traditional medicine has failed to make them better. Individuals with chronic conditions often turn to functional medicine providers for alternative treatment.
Some chronic health issues treated with functional medicine include:
- High blood pressure
- Allergies
- Depression and anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Arthritis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Fibromyalgia
- ADD/ADHD
Many people are turning to more natural treatments for chronic health problems. When conventional treatments fail, functional medicine takes a different approach.
One example is the rise of CBD products for health problems. Many people find CBD helps with chronic pain, IBS, insomnia, inflammation, and more.
Another example is the growing use of health supplements and non-prescription medications to treat various health conditions. Sometimes finding what works takes time.
Typical treatments include dietary changes, supplements, hormone therapy, and other natural methods for treating disease.
You want a physician who will take the time to look at the root cause of your problem and find the best treatment options for your particular needs.
Functional Medicine Is Changing Healthcare
Functional medicine respects science and all the research, technology, and treatments we have today. But it also honors the individual and the health of the entire world population.
Functional medicine is changing the way patients and health professionals view healthcare today.
The Decline in Overall Health
Despite all the advances in healthcare and technology, people are sicker than ever. There’s a decline in the collective health of the population. Here are a few common health issues we are facing.
Heart Health
Poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, and other bad health habits can lead to heart disease. In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 34 seconds and a stroke every 60 seconds.
Immune Health
Half of all men and one in three women will face cancer at some time in their lives. Autoimmune diseases are on the rise in the U.S. and around the world. Over 50 million Americans suffer from some form of autoimmune disease.
Metabolic Health
Diabetes is a common health problem. Up to 50% of Americans are either pre-diabetic or have full-blown diabetes.
Brain Health
Depression and anxiety are all too common. Anxiety disorders are on the rise. Alzheimer’s is now the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S.
Autism and autism spectrum disorders have skyrocketed in the last several years. Today, one in 68 children receive a diagnosis of autism.
Reasons to Try Functional Medicine
Functional medicine is a relatively new field that’s beginning to see explosive growth in popularity. Part of the success of functional medicine is the patient-centered approach to healthcare and wellness.
Functional wellness practitioners believe in partnering with their patients. They trust in the body’s ability to heal itself.
Some key differences of functional medicine include:
- A narrower lab reference range
- More testing to see the bigger picture
- Spending more time with patients
- A focus on underlying causes of disease
- A wider range of treatment options
- Seeing patients as individuals
- A science-based focus on health and wellness
- Respects the intelligence of the human body
- The belief the body can heal itself
- Health is a state of immense vitality
Patients are turning from blindly believing what their doctors tell them. They are becoming more informed and involved in their own healthcare.
As more people learn about the benefits of functional medicine, they are searching for specialists in this field. The trend towards functional medicine is expected to continue.
The Future of Functional Medicine
America is getting sicker. People are looking for alternatives to traditional medicine.
One reason for the increased interest in functional medicine is the customized approach. Instead of handing you a quick prescription, a functional medicine doctor will partner with you to learn the “why” of your problems.
The doctor sees you as an individual with unique needs. They will provide a tailor-made treatment plan to address the underlying cause of your health problem.
Functional medicine is becoming more mainstream. If you’re suffering from a chronic condition or looking for a wellness plan, consider visiting a functional medicine practitioner.
Functional Medicine in Tempe, AZ
Functional medicine is gaining headway in the medical community for its holistic approach to disease. Using science-based methods to find the root causes of chronic disease is becoming more mainstream.
We can’t depend on drug companies or a broken healthcare system to make us “healthy” any longer. If you’re interested in a doctor who specializes in functional medicine in Tempe, AZ, please take a look at what we have to offer.
We offer naturopathic and integrative medical care for a lifetime of wellness.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.