What Is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a comprehensive approach to wellness and health that utilizes various forms of diagnostic testing, such as stool, saliva, breath, and blood, to help uncover the root cause(s) of illness. These diagnostic tests primarily focus on blood chemistry; digestive function; gut pathogens; sex hormone balance, including adrenal function; and food sensitivities. Additional diagnostic testing may include nutritional imbalances, environmental sensitivity, underlying infections, immune function, and neurochemistry evaluation. Functional medicine doctors leave no stone unturned when it comes to finding the root cause of a patient’s health challenge.
Functional medicine also encourages the patient to take a more active role in their health care. This differs from what most patients are used to. Today, more and more people want to be part of their health care experience rather than mere spectators.
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 any potential, negative 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: 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, where functional medicine doesn’t have an answer both diagnostically or therapeutically.
Conventional medicine truly does excel 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 our health destiny that 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.
In office and Distance Client Services
What would you DO if you had absolutely no pain or symptoms?
I’ve been helping people get out of pain, in my office and as distance clients, for over 27 years. There is no case too complicated. This is not only my job but my hobby as well. I’m sure I feel the same level of excitement when treating a difficult case as a golfer may when getting to play Pebble Beach or Augusta National. The bottom-line is, I’m passionate about uncovering what’s going on inside your body and fixing it.
If you would like my help, in-office or as a distance client, click on the icon above for more information.
You can also call me directly at 714-639-4360.
Dr. Ettinger, I Need Your Help
- The Oxalate Hand Book – Beyond Kidney Stones - February 28, 2023
- Helicobacter pylori Facts and More Facts… - February 14, 2023
- Food antioxidant ergothioneine may aid survival of cancer-causing H. pylori - January 5, 2023
Hi, do you work with pediatric bowel issues? If so, cost per visit, please?
Ms. Allen,
In 31+ years I have helped many kids with their GI issues (UC, Crohn’s, IBS, SIBO…). I review all labs and forms, order additional tests if needed, perform an in-depth consultation and examination and come up with a protocol. After that, we have routine follow-up appointments to fine-tune. Here is a link to my policies and fees. Please call my office if I can be of further assistance – 714-639-4360.
https://www.advancedhealing.com/dr-marcus-ettinger-chiropractor-forms-hand-outs/
Respectfully,
Dr. Ettinger