DR. BEEDLE’S APPROACH TO FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

From the Desk of Dr. Beedle:

Functional Medicine is a client-based approach to health care, which focuses on treating the individual instead of their symptoms. In our health care model today, medication is often the go-to approach to addressing a wide range of symptoms, but only serves as a temporary solution. If a person stops taking the medication, symptoms generally return. Once they do, the person may have more potential issues due to a lack of lifestyle changes in relation to sedated symptoms.

How Does Functional Medicine Work?

Functional medicine addresses health issues by getting to the root of the pain and/or disease. Instead of masking the problem, functional medicine aims to restore the body’s natural function through diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes. Practitioners may prescribe pharmaceuticals, supplements or other forms of medication to help restore the client’s physiology, which will support the body in regaining its natural healing function so that the client will no longer need the medication.

There are several tools I use to empower my clients on their way to optimal health. One tool that I believe is most important is time. Taking my time with each guest to listen to their health concerns, as well as educating them about their body, is a huge part of the functional medicine process. Unfortunately, in many areas of medicine we have created a system of high-volume guest visits with a limited amount of time to be seen.

Benefits of Functional Medicine

One of the most beneficial things about the functional medicine system is the utilization of scientific testing. Functional medicine uses stool, blood and urine testing to get to the root of many health issues. Testing can be overwhelming, but there is a lot of information you can get from the following tests. 

GI MAP

 – is a stool test. This test is great because it is a seven-page analysis of gut microbiota, which includes the good, bad and everything in between. I most commonly use this test for patients with GI distress, anxiety, fatigue, bloating and irregular bowel movements. 

NUTREVAL 

– is blood and urine specimen collection. This test is used to acquire nutritional or supplemental evaluations necessary to assess how lifestyle choices may be impacting a person’s life. For example, if someone has been a strict vegan for years, has never supplemented with B Vitamins and has developed extreme fatigue, headaches and constant bloating, this test is a great way to show where they may need to adjust their lifestyle choices.

BLOODWORK

 – Blood work is such an important piece to our health. Most people get a basic CBC and CMP when they go to their GP or hospital. Those panels are important however, when it comes to treating the individual we need to take a deeper look. Through blood testing we can look at hormones, minerals, cofactors and other physiological components to discover why a patient may be having certain symptoms. 

The benefits of these types of testing are extensive! If you have any questions on whether any of these options are for you, feel free to schedule a consultation with me and let’s get you feeling your best!

~ Dr. John Beedle, DC, CFMP