What is Functional Medicine?
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness (The Institute for Functional Medicine).
So, what does that mean for you & your health? Well, instead of prescribing medicine that relieves symptoms we focus on the root causes of the conditions. Is it a lack of sleep? Genetics? Do you need to improve your diet & nutrition? Or is it a Hormone Imbalance? Our practitioners work with you to uncover all potential causes & discuss how they interact with your overall health.
A Functional Approach to your Health
When we look at our health, we often discuss one aspect of our bodies, like chronic back pain for example. With Functional Medicine, we don’t just treat the symptoms by sending you to the chiropractor rather we ask about sleep patterns, previous injury, stress levels & how all of this may be affected by diet & exercise habits. A functional approach to your health consists of 10 key aspects of your daily life:
Assimilation:
Assimilation includes digestion, absorption, microbiome/gastro-intestinal, and respiration functions of the body.
Structural Integrity:
From subcellular membranes to musculoskeletal structure, the Structural Integrity of the different components of your body plays a vital role in your overall health.
Communication:
The endocrine system, neurotransmitters, and immune messengers make up the Communication aspect of your health.
Transport:
The Transport functions of your body include the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.
Defense & Repair:
Defense & Repair mechanisms in your body include your immune system, inflammation, and infection/microbiota.
Energy:
Energy regulation and mitochondrial function are the main factors in the Energy component of Functional Medicine.
Biotransformation & Elimination:
Biotransformation & Elimination focuses on the toxicity and detoxification within your body.
Mental Health:
The Mental Health component of Functional Medicine focuses on cognitive function and perceptual patterns.
Emotional Health:
Emotional regulation, grief, sadness, anger, etc. are the factors we analyze to determine your Emotional Health in terms of Functional Medicine.
Spiritual Health:
We aren’t religious scholars, Spiritual Health refers to your meaning & purpose in life and how often you are prioritizing things that bring you joy and passion.
Download the IFM Functional Medicine Matrix Here
When we consider your well-being as a whole with these 10 components, we start to see that one disease or condition can have many causes. It’s unlikely that one imbalance is the root of all symptoms or diseases. In other words, restoring the balance between your environment and your physiology is the most important precept of functional medicine & restoring your health.
Does Insurance cover Functional Healthcare?
Short answer, not necessarily. Although Functional Medicine has grown in popularity and continues to be developed as a primary focus in healthcare, not all insurance providers cover this service, and most doctor’s offices do not accept insurance for this type of care. At Vibrant Health we are in network with most insurance providers for our Functional Health Services. Although plans may vary, there is more than likely a co-pay that ranges $20-$50 per visit when using insurance. Ask your insurance providers for specific details of your plan then give us a call to confirm you’re covered & how much you can expect for a co-pay.
Questions? Contact Vibrant Health Today!
For more information on Functional Medicine or other services we offer, give us a call or review our additional Healthcare Insights. We at Vibrant Health aim to cure the underlying issues rather than just treating symptoms. That’s why our Wellness Exams are longer than 5 minutes as we discuss your history, symptoms, nutrition & exercise and more. Vibrant Health of Colorado also offers Telehealth Services for your convenience.
