HEALTH + WELLNESS
diet and exercise to both treat and pre-
vent chronic illnesses in their patients.
Functional Medicine teaches individu-
als how to eat, think and be healthy by
engaging them in their own healthcare.
This empowers patients to take an active
role in their own healthcare and not
simply be prescription fillers. This focus
on care not only relieves symptoms, it
also provides a positive vitality, beyond
just the absence of disease.
Functional Medicine integrates the
best of traditional Western medicine
with some practices considered “alter-
native” or “integrative.” Functional
Medicine uses evidence-based research
and the latest in laboratory testing and
diagnostic techniques and medical
therapies, as well as less traditional
practices which may include botani-
cals, supplements, therapeutic diets,
detoxification programs, and individu-
alized exercise and stress-reduction
programs to achieve optimal health.
We are at a crossroads in the practice
of medicine. We must stop treating the
effects of disease and start treating the
causes of disease. We need to move to
a preventative model that aims to get to
the root cause of disease. New medical
practices must be designed as environ-
ments that give patients the tools they
need to become disease-free and get on
the path towards optimal health. Health
clinics of the future must combine the
best of Traditional Medicine, Lifestyle
Medicine, Integrative Medicine and
Functional Medicine all under one roof.
The certified physicians and staff will
provide the tools individuals need to live
healthy and vibrant lives. Workshops
and group classes educate and motivate
patients in a supportive and healing
environment. Teaching kitchens might
offer healthy cooking classes that are
nutritionally and medically themed.
Mind/body/spirit programs help to
personalize exercise and self-care tools
of stress reduction and meditation to
help individuals restore balance and
health. Patients must play an active role
in designing and implementing such
practices and ultimately become pillars
of health in their own lives and in the
lives of our community. n
Nobody can go back and start a new beginning,
but anyone can start today and make a new ending.
MARIA ROBINSON
FALL 2017
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