When is the Right Time to See a Functional Medicine Provider?
Any decision regarding your health or medical care can be a big one. One of the most impactful decisions you can make is changing your primary care provider, especially if you’re seeing a functional medicine provider for the first time. Below, our team of experts at Personal Healthcare Providers provide insight into indicators that could mean it’s time to make the switch to functional medicine.
Desire to Understand the Bigger Picture
The cornerstone of functional medicine is looking at the bigger picture in terms of your health. Functional medicine providers work to determine the root of your health problems rather than just treating the symptoms. If you’re someone who is curious about how your body works and how its different systems impact one another, a functional medicine provider will be able to provide greater insight into this than most traditional doctors.
Frustration with Current Healthcare Provider
Your health should be your doctor’s number one priority. If you feel this is not the case, it may be time to explore different health care providers. Frustrations can arise if you feel that your doctor isn’t examining you thoroughly, is failing to listen to you, or is struggling to provide proper treatment. In addition, telehealth may be creating pain points in your relationship with your doctor– whether you enjoy the convenience of virtual appointments or miss the connection that comes from in office visits, an option that satisfies your needs as a patient should be provided to you. If you’re feeling frustrated or unhappy with your current health care, it is important that you consider your alternatives, including functional medicine.
Preventative Care
Because functional medicine focuses on the body as a whole, it is highly regarded for preventative care. If your family has any concerning medical history or you have any other indicators of future health conditions, functional medicine may be very beneficial to you. Your functional medicine provider will help determine underlying causes of potential health conditions and work to address or correct these risk factors.
It’s important to note that preventative care is essential for everyone, not just those with family history or other predispositions. A functional medicine provider can work with you to improve your quality of life and help you to feel better, thus preventing you from becoming sick or injured in the future. For example, a functional medicine provider may work to help you improve your quality of sleep and provide tactics for stress-reduction, therefore keeping you from becoming run-down and getting sick during stressful times at work. The holistic approach to functional medicine rather than the treatment of individual symptoms means that a functional medicine provider will work to improve your quality of life as a whole instead of simply treating an ailment.
Chronic Illness or Pain
Chronic illness is extremely common in America. In fact, an estimated 133 million Americans– nearly half the population– suffer from at least one chronic illness, according to the American Hospital Association. Chronic pain is almost as common, with 1 in 5 American adults suffering from it. Many traditional forms of medicine fail to treat or manage the symptoms that come with these chronic conditions.
However, many individuals find relief when they make the switch to a functional medicine healthcare provider. In fact, according to the American College of Preventive Medicine, most chronic diseases are preventable and reversible if a comprehensive, individualized functional medicine approach is taken. Functional medicine providers will work to address genetics, diet, stress, physical activity, and sleep to help ease the symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Making a Big Lifestyle Change
Whether it’s losing weight, quitting smoking, or reducing stress or anxiety, any major lifestyle change can be tough if you go it alone. Relying on a functional medicine provider will provide support, insight, and tools needed for you to succeed. They’ll be able to help you take a personal approach to your goals, looking at how your mind and body react during the process, and help you reach your goals in a way that will stick. While traditional medicine may offer medications or surgeries that may offer a quick fix, a functional healthcare provider will work to help you make positive changes so that you are able to maintain your new lifestyle.
Ready to Make the Switch? Contact Personal Healthcare Providers
If you feel you may be ready to make the change to functional medicine, we’re here to help. We understand that making the decision to change your doctor can be a big one. Our team of dedicated staff is here to answer any questions you may have about how we can best serve you. To learn more, contact us today.