Functional Medicine Doctor Near Me
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a type of healthcare that focuses on identifying and treating the root causes of disease rather than just the symptoms. It is a holistic approach to medicine that takes into account your genetics, environment, diet, lifestyle and more when making a diagnosis. Functional medicine doctors use tools such as genetic testing and lifestyle assessments to determine what factors could be causing your health issues. Once they have identified the root cause of your illness or symptoms they can create an individualized treatment plan to address it. A functional medicine doctor near me will help you to understand what is happening inside your body and the role that your diet, lifestyle, environment and genetics play in this. They will then help you to create an individualized treatment plan that takes into account all of these factors. At the end of the day, this integrative medicine plan likely will be more effective and sustainable than conventional medicine. If you’re looking for Functional Medicine in Andover MN, Dr. Leah Novak D.O. is here to help.
Why Should I Choose a Functional Medicine Doctor?
If you’re someone who’s never visited a functional medicine doctor before, or if you’re new to the world of holistic medicine, then you may be wondering if these professionals are as effective as what you’re used to. The truth is that they are. In fact, many doctors who practice integrative medicine are trained in both conventional and alternative medicine. This means that they can treat your medical issues from a variety of angles, including lifestyle changes, supplements and even pharmaceuticals if need be. While some people visit holistic medicine doctors only as a last resort, many people could benefit from using a functional medicine doctor alongside their primary care provider. The truth is that most doctors are trained to treat symptoms, not the underlying cause of your medical issues. A holistic medicine specialist will look at the big picture of your life and can help you find the underlying cause of any health issues you may have, and develop a personalized plan to help you get healthy and stay that way.
Personalized Care
One of the greatest benefits when seeking functional medicine care is the personalized approach. Because no two patients are the same, no two treatment plans should be, either. A functional medicine doctor will take the time to learn about your medical history, lifestyle and family health issues. Once they know as much as possible about you, they can create a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your condition. They may ask questions like: what are your health goals? How often are you active during the week? What do you eat, and how often? Are you a smoker or drinker? Do you have other chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure? Do your family members have similar health concerns? Once they know all of that information, they can determine what factors may be contributing to your condition and how best to treat it.
Your Body is a System
In order to achieve optimal wellness, it’s important to work with an integrative medicine doctor who understands how all of the body’s systems are interconnected, and whose main focus is to treat the source of your symptoms, not just mask them. A smart holistic medicine specialist will focus on prevention, treating the whole person and restoring balance in the body using personalized treatment plans that are tailored to your unique needs.
How Does Functional Medicine Work?
The functional medicine model focuses on identifying underlying causes of disease and then treating these causes, rather than just symptoms. This is a very different approach from traditional medicine, which tends to focus on treating the symptoms that arise when your body systems are out of balance. The goal of functional medicine is to restore function by identifying and addressing the root cause of illness or injury—this can include nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances, environmental toxins, and more. Functional medicine practitioners use a wide range of treatments and therapies, including diet, lifestyle changes, supplements and medications. These are used to treat the root cause of illness or injury rather than just suppressing symptoms. While many doctors are capable of figuratively or literally slapping a Band-Aid onto a problem, fewer will take the time to address deeper root causes. Functional medicine is a branch of integrative medicine that focuses on the underlying causes of disease and how to address those causes.
With Dr. Leah Novak, you can receive help related to Personalized Medicine, Health Consulting, Life Coaching, and more. If you’ve experienced low energy, depression, stomach weight, or undesired weight gain, Dr. Leah Novak can help with a personalized action plan.
