Functional Medicine, like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), addresses the whole person, rather than just an isolated set of symptoms, to look for underlying causes of disease. The Kalish Method is when functional medicine doctors use a lab-based health approach focused on addressing five common conditions – weight gain, fatigue, depression, female hormone and digestive problems – through restoring the three main body systems: hormones, digestion and detoxification. We use advanced clinical laboratory testing to create individualized, holistic programs. Using the latest technologies, we can now accurately assess specific biochemical markers to determine the best therapeutic protocol.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is where the future of medicine is heading, because it focuses on an individualized approach vs. a one-size-fits-all approach. As functional medicine doctors, we work together with our patients to address the underlying causes of disease and promote good health. The goal is to be proactive, to prevent disease from happening in the first place. If symptoms of a disease process do occur, a functional medicine doctor will investigate to find the root causes. It is not enough to treat symptoms, or to ignore symptoms that do not fit into a disease category. With functional medicine in St Petersburg, symptoms that may have been brushed off as insignificant in the past– such as insomnia, chronic fatigue, chronic headaches, indigestion, acid reflux and frequent nasal congestion–are seen as the body’s early warning signs that need to be heeded before they become part of an even more serious condition.
Too often, healthcare has become a matter of prescribing pharmaceutical drugs when what may be more effective is a holistic prescription that includes lifestyle changes, simple dietary modifications, natural nutritional supplements and holistic treatments such as acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. A holistic approach looks at the body as an integrated system rather than a collection of organs. While most functional medicine practitioners respect and value the need for conventional medical specialists, there is a need for practitioners who can take the time to see and treat the patient as a whole person and look at how all these parts of the puzzle fit together. Functional medicine practitioners have been described as “healthcare detectives” for this reason.
What types of practitioners become functional medicine doctors? Some are conventionally trained medical doctors, while others are functional medicine chiropractors, acupuncturists or naturopaths. (Note: Patients often ask if we are naturopaths. The answer is no, the doctors on our staff are acupuncture physicians licensed in the state of Florida. Naturopathic doctors, while respected in many states, are not yet recognized as a licensed profession in Florida.) Doctors who have a strong interest in current holistic, integrative medical practices will usually pursue further training in functional medicine to keep up with new developments in this exciting field. At HPC, Dorothy S. Wells, AP, FABORM is a certified functional medicine practitioner by the Kalish Institute of Functional Medicine. Dr. Donald M. Eisenman, DAOM, AP continues his studies in functional medicine at the Functional Medicine University. Holistic Primary Care offers cutting edge functional medicine lab testing and treatment with a particular focus on root-cause digestive issues.
Looking For The Best Functional Medicine Doctor in St Petersburg FL?
If you’re looking for a more natural and holistic approach to health concerns, it’s our mission to restore balance to your body through targeted holistic practices. That’s why we make it a point to staff the best functional medicine doctors in St Petersburg FL. We first determine your unique constitution, and then design a treatment plan just for you. Contact us today to set up your next functional medicine appointment with one of our trained professionals.