Common Misconceptions of Functional Medicine
Functional medicine may sound trendy, but despite many misconceptions, it is a holistic and integrative way to analyze and help heal the body.
So, how does a functional approach vary from conventional medicine?
Conventional medicine is the type of treatment model we all typically know.. and don’t exactly love. It involves heading to your doctor and chatting with him or her for 15 minutes, receiving a prescription for a pill, and sending you out the door.
This treatment model focuses heavily on treating the symptoms of diseases and illnesses using drugs or surgery. It also typically does not take lifestyle factors into account.
On the other hand, a functional medicine approach incorporates our entire body and mind. This approach explores mindset, nutrition, sleep, and even fitness to determine where dis-ease lies in the body. It also utilizes extensive laboratory with information from saliva, blood, urine, and stool samples.
At Rachel Scheer Nutrition, our model of care addresses the root cause of imbalance or disease (or as we call “dis-ease”). It considers the connection of all the various body systems as well as the mind, lifestyle, and diet to achieve long term health.
While this is often a new way for clients to address their health, it is evidence-based and comprehensive.
However, many of us are unfamiliar with functional medicine and may not know what it means or how it works!
What are the most common misconceptions of functional medicine?
While there are many, here are the top misconceptions we hear about our approach:
- Functional medicine isn’t reliable
- It focuses just on nutrition
- This approach is too “out there”
- You have to be REALLY sick to benefit from it
- We rely on expensive, unnecessary supplements
But, these misconceptions couldn’t be further from the truth!
Functional medicine is a reliable model of care because it utilizes the latest research and lab testing in modern medicine.
However, it also combines traditions within healing and addresses the mind-body connection. It is a holistic approach that focuses on finding the root cause, rather than bandaging symptoms.
Plus, you do not even have to be that sick to benefit from this approach. Functional medicine is useful for preventing disease before it wreaks havoc on your life.
Everything that we do in functional medicine, like utilize high-quality supplements or encourage movement, is designed to optimize your nutrition and lifestyle. Our recommendations are tailor-made to encourage your body’s healing journey so you can be your best self.
A functional medicine approach helps your body love itself – rather than fight against it.
I’m interested in your functional medicine approach. How can I learn more?
At Rachel Scheer Nutrition, we pride ourselves on utilizing the latest treatments in functional medicine. Despite the misconceptions described, we consider the whole body in our approach to your nutrition and lifestyle. If you’re ready to change your health with personalized nutrition and a test, don’t guess, approach, fill out an application to work with us here.
Rachel Scheer is a Certified Nutritionist who received her degree from Baylor University in Nutrition Science and Dietetics. Rachel has her own private nutrition and counseling practice located in McKinney, Texas. Rachel has helped clients with a wide range of nutritional needs enhance their athletic performance, improve their physical and mental health, and make positive lifelong eating and exercise behavior changes.
Read This Next
Micronutrients, or the vitamins and minerals your body needs, typically work like a team. To…
If you want to improve gut health, or even optimize your overall health, you’ve probably…
Have you ever found yourself grappling with the discomfort of abdominal distension, bloating, or cramping,…