Clinically researched strategies
Society today is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of people who suffer from complex, chronic diseases, such as autoimmune disorders, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, and infertility.
The system of medicine practiced by most doctors is oriented toward acute care, the diagnosis and treatment of illness that is of short duration and in need of urgent care, such as infections or injuries. This is where our NHS shines! GPs apply specific, prescribed treatments such as drugs or surgery that deal with the immediate problem or symptom.
Unfortunately, this acute-care approach to medicine lacks the proper methodology and tools for preventing and treating complex, chronic diseases. GPs and consultants lack the time to piece together a full picture of the person. In most cases, they do not consider the unique genetic makeup of each individual or factors such as environmental exposures to toxins and the aspects of today’s lifestyle that have a direct influence on the rise in chronic disease in modern Western society.
There’s a very big gap between research integrating into clinical practice. The gap between emerging research in basic sciences and integration into medical practice is enormous (as long as 50 years) particularly in the area of complex, chronic illness. Take the microbiome for instance. Functional medicine practitioners have been at the forefront of driving the huge volume of research that is now being done in this area. Yet, most GPs still have no practical information on how to integrate this knowledge into their practices.
Most GPs are not adequately trained to unravel the underlying causes of complex, chronic disease and to apply clinically proven strategies such as nutrition, diet, and exercise to both treat and prevent these illnesses in their patients.
Rather than managing symptoms, functional medicine involves unravelling each individual case to understand and treat the origins of complex, chronic disease.
Qualities of a functional medicine approach include:
Working with a Functional medicine practitioner requires a commitment to health. Over time, personalised strategies will promote wellness by focusing on the underlying factors that influence your health. We will begin with careful history taking, physical examination, and laboratory testing. This will then enable us to consider multiple factors, including:
All of the above processes are influenced by environmental factors have on your genetic make-up. If these processes are imbalanced, they lead to symptoms, which may lead to disease if effective interventions are not applied. However, we know that genetics are not set in stone as we once believed. The expression of our genes can be altered by environmental factors.
Often people are afraid of genetic and other laboratory testing but most imbalances in functionality can be addressed; some can be completely restored to optimum function, and others can be substantially improved.
Prevention is paramount. Virtually every complex, chronic disease is preceded by long-term disturbances in functionality that simmers under the surface for years. Seeing the warning signs and changing how the system functions can have a major impact on health. We always work with nature, not against it, and all interventions are natural.
It is essential that the patient becomes a partner. As a patient, you become an active partner allowing you to be fully in charge of improving your own health and changing the outcome of disease.
Let's work together to see how I can help. I welcome clients from every race, creed, colour, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation and gender expression. I provide a safe and empathic space for anyone who is committed to working with me to improve their health.
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