A clinical model of care that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease rather than merely treating symptoms, utilizing a patient-centered, systems-oriented approach. This framework views the body as an interconnected whole, emphasizing the complex interplay between genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors in determining health and chronic disease outcomes. It often involves advanced diagnostic testing to assess hormonal balance, gut health, and nutritional status.
Origin
Functional Medicine emerged in the late 20th century as a shift away from the traditional, organ-system-focused acute care model, seeking to apply a deeper understanding of biochemistry and physiology to chronic, complex illnesses. The term “paradigm” highlights its fundamental difference in approach, moving from a disease-centric to a health-centric model of clinical practice. It is a synthesis of nutritional science, endocrinology, and systems biology.
Mechanism
The approach mechanistically addresses core clinical imbalances, such as impaired detoxification, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal dysregulation, which are considered the fundamental drivers of pathology. Interventions are personalized and typically involve targeted nutrition, therapeutic supplementation, stress reduction techniques, and lifestyle modification to restore balance to key physiological networks. By optimizing the foundational biochemical terrain, the body’s innate capacity for self-healing is enhanced.
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