Functional medicine is a branch of integrative healthcare that focuses on preventing and treating chronic diseases. At Alternative Care, Dr. Anthony Faro provides this treatment which takes a systems-oriented approach to health, incorporating the best of Western medicine with evidence-based integrative therapies.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is one of the fastest-growing fields in integrative health care. It is a science-based field focusing on preventing and treating chronic disease rather than managing symptoms. Chiropractors and integrative health practitioners often use functional medicine to treat patients with chronic conditions such as:
1. Digestive Disorders
Functional medicine practitioners often use integrative therapies such as probiotics, dietary changes, and herbal supplements to treat digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
2. Autoimmune Diseases
Functional medicine is often used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and multiple sclerosis.
3. Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom of many chronic conditions. Chiropractic care integrates therapies such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and supplements to treat fatigue.
4. Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances are common in both men and women. Integrative therapies such as hormone replacement therapy, dietary changes, and supplements help treat conditions like adrenal fatigue, perimenopause, and menopause.
5. Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a common symptom of many chronic conditions. Many treatment plans use functional medicine to relieve chronic pain.
How Does Functional Medicine Work?
Functional medicine practitioners use a systems-oriented approach to health. This means they look at the body as a whole rather than treating individual organs or systems in isolation. Functional medicine practitioners take into account the following when assessing a patient's health:
- Medical history to identify patterns of illness and potential causes
- Physical examination to assess the body's overall health
- Laboratory tests to identify imbalances in the body
- Genetic testing to identify genetic predispositions to disease
- Environmental factors to identify environmental toxins that may be contributing to illness
- Lifestyle factors to identify lifestyle choices that may be contributing to ill health
Once we have assessed a patient's health, we will develop a treatment plan that may incorporate one or more of the following:
- Diet and lifestyle changes
- Nutritional supplements
- Herbal medicines
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Counseling
- Exercise
Contact Us for Functional Medicine in Lake Wales, FL
If you are looking for an integrative approach to healthcare, contact Alternative Care Dr. Anthony Faro D C to book an appointment. We are happy to discuss your health concerns and develop a treatment plan that is right for you. Call our team today at (863) 676-2225 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.
