Health : How to assess - Principles
Ideally, work with a health professional who practices Functional Medicine.
The California Center for Functional Medicine explain Functional medicine in a very clear way:
Investigative. Addresses symptoms by focusing on the underlying cause of the problem, which leads to more profound and longer lasting results.
Holistic. Envisions the body as an interconnected whole that is in dynamic relationship to its environment, and recognizes the importance of these connections in health and disease.
Safe. Treatments have mild or no side effects, and other unrelated complaints often improve spontaneously.
Patient-centered. Treats the patient, not the disease. Treatments are highly individualized based on patient needs.
Participatory. Patient is respected, empowered, educated and encouraged to play active role in healing process.
Integrative. Combines the best of both modern and traditional medicines and emphasizes importance of diet and lifestyle.
Restorative. Tests and treatments designed to promote optimal function, prevent and reverse disease, and improve quality of life.
Preventative. Guided by the ancient Chinese saying, βThe superb physician treats disease before it occurs.β
Evidence-based. Based on the latest research from peer-reviewed medical journals, and uncorrupted by corporate and political interests.