What is Functional Medicine? Simply put – It’s real healthcare, the way that healthcare was meant to be. Functional Medicine actively creates health, instead of just treating disease and masking symptoms. This distinct medical model focuses first on disease prevention. When needed, we aim to reverse chronic disease completely by resolving its underlying root cause.
“Functional medicine is systems medicine. It’s the medicine of connectivity. We understand how everything connects. We understand the systems, not just the symptoms. Looking at mechanisms and not just diseases. When we address the root cause of disease, your health and well-being naturally elevate.” (Dr. Mark Hyman, MD)
We Resolve the Root Cause of Symptoms and Disease
To resolve the root cause, we apply a full-spectrum, high-resolution approach that synergizes leading-edge modern medicine with natural healing modalities. The Functional Medicine approach is revolutionary. Truly, it is the future of healthcare, available now.
Functional Medicine is science and evidence-based. With respect to conventional and alternative medicine, we are ahead-of-the-curve with prevention and treating/reversing chronic disease. Consider that the most compelling, peer-reviewed and reproducible research from randomized, double-blind studies – often takes 20 plus years to be adopted by conventional medicine. Do you have that much time to wait? Rest assured that if a Functional Medicine clinician tells you to complete a detox followed by gut microbiome protocol to address your chronic stress/fatigue, it’s because there is compelling research that supports that recommendation.
Our Full-Spectrum, High-Resolution Approach
With this approach, we see your health in high-detail, and resolve your imbalances accordingly. We take the time to talk and listen to you in-depth. In your initial session, we spend 90 minutes together. We understand your history and your life circumstances, then consider how these interconnected factors affect your health. Our sessions together plus leading-edge lab testing – provide a high-resolution image of your health status, which we use to personalize treatment plans. We are full-spectrum in that we synergize the best aspects of Natural, Functional, Conventional, and Integrative Medicine.
How We Help You Feel Better
We know that our modern diet, lifestyle, and environment change the expression of our genes (epigenetics). It’s these changes that give rise to diseases and syndrome. So, we typically start with diet, lifestyle, and behavior adjustments, nutritional supplements, and botanicals. However, when necessary – we also consider medication or surgery options.
“Functional medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, functional medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual” (Dr. Mark Hyman, MD)
Cultivate a Beautiful State of Well-Being
By resolving the root cause of symptoms and disease, we at Santa Cruz Functional Medicine help unlock the precious energy and vitality within you. We help you cultivate a beautiful state of well-being. So that you feel better and return the joyous woman you were born to become.
“The success of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, where Dr. Mark Hyman (quoted above) is clinical director, has opened the eyes of many, including healthcare professionals who once doubted the potential of this medical model. The Cleveland Clinic is regarded as a prestigious medical institution, often on the forefront of the newest treatments, therapies, and diagnostic procedures.” (Chris Kresser, L.ac – California Center for Functional Medicine)
Take the next step on your health journey. Learn more about how Functional Medicine can help you feel better, be healthy, and live longer. Click the button below to receive our free Vibrant Health e-book and receive insider tips on actively creating health and well being.
