Many people think that being active and eating healthy is enough for optimal wellness, only to be diagnosed with serious chronic diseases. In such situations, supplementing traditional medicine with functional medicine helps to look beyond the symptoms and address their root causes.

As a healthcare practice, functional medicine (FM) is closely linked with holistic medicine, which you're probably more familiar with. While both consider a whole-person approach, the difference lies in FM's use of science-backed methodologies to understand why your body systems are out of balance before creating personalized treatment plans.    

Understand further how it works and how it might help you live healthier and longer. You'll also know what to consider when seeking a local FM practitioner.

Functional Medicine's Approach to Holistic Health and Longevity

Medical advances have helped people live longer, but not necessarily healthier. The global life expectancies for men and women stood at 71 and 76, respectively, in 2024. European (82), Oceanian (81), and Northern American (81) women lived the longest, while Africans had the lowest average at 66 for females and 62 for males. (1)  

Because of this, about 21% of the world's population will be over 60 by 2050. On the downside, recent estimates show that around 80% of older people have at least one chronic condition. Conventional medicine focuses on prescribing medication to manage symptoms. Environment and lifestyle interventions often take a back burner. (2)

But wouldn't it be more effective to know why these symptoms occur in the first place? This principle stands at the core of functional medicine. Practitioners from Bliss MD and other reputable clinics study the intricate interactions within your body to understand and address your health concerns through integrative health care. FM doctors are either licensed MDs (Doctors of Medicine) or DOs (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine), so they're healthcare experts with clinical skills.    

Personalized care for functional medicine patients often involves:

Digging Into Your Medical History

Your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being are interconnected. If one area is out of sync, it can affect the others. For example, chronic stress can impact your gut, and a compromised gut can affect your mood and cause digestive issues. It can potentially lead to autoimmune disorders.

In understanding the interplay of genetics, environment, and lifestyle, your chosen practitioner will spend time understanding your health condition from childhood to adulthood. They'll use the 6-Point Model of Health—behavior change, exercise, sleep, nutrition, relationships, and stress—as part of a thorough root cause evaluation.

Advanced Diagnostic Testing

Functional medicine recognizes a person's biochemical individuality alongside their genetic and environmental uniqueness. You might undergo specialized procedures on top of standard lab tests. These could include examinations that determine your genetic predispositions, gut microbiome health, hormone and heavy metal toxicity levels, inflammatory markers, and nutrient status.

Personalized Treatment and Patient-Centered Care

Many practitioners combine conventional, holistic, and functional practices to craft an extensive care strategy that suits the patient. This method is commonly known as integrative medicine.

If you're experiencing fatigue and musculoskeletal pain, for example, a conventional doctor will prescribe a stimulant and a pain reliever. An FM doctor will investigate why and evaluate whether it's due to adrenal dysfunction, chronic infection, or something else entirely.

Mixing alternative therapies and evidence-based medicine, your doctor might recommend lifestyle modifications, including stress management, a healthier diet, chiropractic care, and hormone replacement therapy to address a range of health concerns.

Embracing functional medicine can be challenging at first. But the potential rewards, including increased health span—or the time in which a person is in good health and not just alive—can be rewarding.

Cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke remain the top chronic diseases worldwide. Aging increases the risk of developing them, although young adults can have them, too. Cumulatively, the cost of these non-communicable diseases is likely to reach USD$47 trillion by 2030. Functional medicine can help lower the disease burden by analyzing how a person's systems and environment interact and cause dysfunctions. In doing so, they can address problems effectively and in the long term. (3)

What to Consider When Looking for a Practitioner

If you're intrigued by the possibilities, your next question might be, ‘How do I find a reputable functional medicine practitioner near me?' Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Credentials and training: Find a practitioner with an active MD and DO license. They must have pursued additional training and certifications in functional medicine from reputable organizations including the Institute for Functional Medicine.
  • Patient reviews and testimonials: Looking at online reviews or asking people you know about their experiences with an FM practitioner or clinic can provide insights into the practitioner's approach to patient care and its effectiveness.
  • Initial consultation: Many clinics offer initial consultations, during which you can discuss your health concerns and learn about their approach before committing to a full program. This is a great opportunity to see whether their philosophy aligns with yours.  
  • Doctor-patient collaboration: This is a core approach in functional medicine. Instead of providing immediate medical, lifestyle, and behavioral interventions, your chosen practitioner should help you understand your body and how your choices impact your health.

Despite its purported benefits, it's important to have realistic expectations. Functional medicine isn't a silver bullet or a quick fix. Understanding what to look for in a local practitioner is crucial, but so is a patient's active participation.

Closing Words

The path to optimal wellness may vary from one individual to another. This means only you can determine whether functional medicine could be the solution to your longevity and overall well-being.

If you find yourself stuck using traditional methods or want to take charge of your health, FM can assist in improving your wellness process. Its underlying foundations enable you to live not only longer but better. 

References

  1. ‘Average life expectancy at birth in 2024, by continent and gender'. Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/270861/life-expectancy-by-continent/#:~:text=In%202024%2C%20the%20average%20life%20expectancy%20in%20the%20world%20was%2071%20years%20for%20men%20and%2076%20years%20for%20women.%20The%20lowest%20life%20expectancies%20were%20found%20in%20Africa%2C%20while%20Oceania%20and%20Europe%20had%20the%20highest.%C2%A0
  2. ‘Perspectives of Older Adults on Self-Care of Chronic Diseases Utilizing Online Health Resources: An Exploratory Descriptive Qualitative Study'. Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11802278/#:~:text=The%20silver%20tsunami,Perera%C2%A02023)
  3. ‘The Burden of Chronic Disease'. Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10830426/#:~:text=Chronic%20diseases%20like,worldwide%20by%202030.