What Is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is an innovative approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease. Unlike traditional medicine, which often treats symptoms, functional medicine aims to understand the underlying imbalances and dysfunctions in the body that contribute to illness. By utilizing a comprehensive and personalized approach, functional medicine practitioners strive to optimize the body’s natural healing abilities. This patient-centered approach integrates the best of both conventional and alternative therapies, incorporating evidence-based practices from various medical disciplines. Functional medicine emphasizes the importance of lifestyle modifications, nutrition, stress management, and targeted supplementation to promote optimal health and well-being. By addressing the underlying factors contributing to disease, functional medicine offers a holistic and personalized approach to healthcare that can lead to long-lasting and sustainable results.

Dr. Marcus Ettinger, DC is a Leading Functional Medicine Practitioner

Dr. Marcus Ettinger, DC, stands as a distinguished and respected figure among Orange County’s functional medicine practitioners, boasting an impressive experience of over 34 years in practice. Driven by a passion for healing and a commitment to excellence, Dr. Ettinger has emerged as a trusted healthcare provider in the field. With a strong foundation in functional medicine principles, he diligently applies his scientific knowledge and expertise to address the root causes of disease, aiming to restore balance and optimize his patients’ well-being. Dr. Ettinger’s extensive experience allows him to navigate complex health conditions effectively, employing a personalized and holistic approach that integrates the best practices from conventional and alternative therapies. With an unwavering dedication to his patients, Dr. Marcus Ettinger, DC, continues to make significant contributions to the field of functional medicine, delivering high-quality care and empowering individuals on their path to optimal health.

Example: How Can Functional Medicine Help My Digestion Problem?

Disorders affecting the digestive system such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), H. pylori, leaky gut, Crohn’s disease, and many others, are often chronic and far-reaching in nature. As an example, H. pylori and leaky gut (intestinal permeability) can cause biochemical imbalances that can contribute to aggressive inflammatory reactions. These reactions have been linked to conditions within the gut, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, as well as outside the gut, manifesting in conditions like Hashimoto’s disease (autoimmune hypothyroid), rosacea, and even rheumatoid arthritis.

Removing antibiotic or antiviral medications from the equation, the conventional medical paradigm focuses on either activating or suppressing reactions within the body. This merely slows, at best, the progression of most disease processes. Yes, at times a medication may be needed to assist the body in getting back to the right side of the tracks. In most cases, this is temporary and will be supported holistically to offset potential adverse reactions.

Functional medicine doctors, like myself, approach these same issues from a different perspective. By utilizing targeted nutritional supplementation, chiropractic (nervous system support), and most importantly, lifestyle modification: Sunlight, Diet, Sleep, Exercise, and a Positive Mental Attitude, most patients will notice dramatic changes in their health status.

Helpful posts: Epigenetics – Why Am I Sick, Why Am I Healthy and Epigenetics and Trauma – Why Chiropractic Is The Answer

What Types Of Health Challenges Can Functional Medicine Help?

Functional medicine is well suited to help almost any condition that can affect the body. Whether it possesses a physical, chemical, or emotional component, functional medicine has a tool that can address most contributing factors. In reality, there are not many conditions that can affect the body, whereas functional medicine doesn’t have an answer both diagnostically or therapeutically.

Conventional medicine excels at acute care medicine (emergencies, accidents, and trauma) through medication and surgery. Conventional medicine also excels at advanced technologies such as robot-assisted surgery and transplants. Unfortunately, modern medicine falls short for most people with chronic illnesses such as digestive disorders (SIBO, leaky gut..), autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto’s..), chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia, hormone imbalances (adrenal, thyroid..), degenerative neurological problems (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s..), and mental health challenges (ADD/ADHD..).

If you are looking for a true solution to a chronic health challenge, one that doesn’t just treat a symptom, then it might just be time for a fresh approach – functional medicine.

Here is a link to a talk given by Dr. Bruce Lipton, Ph.D. The topic is Epigenetics and the Biology of Belief. In 90 minutes you will be more confident in knowing that we are more in control over your health destiny than you once thought. This data will empower you and give you confidence that if you put in the effort you can achieve and maintain health. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhTSikYNOdA

Yours in good health,

Dr. Marcus Ettinger, D.C.
Orange County Functional Medicine Practitioner