Functional Medicine in Lake Forest, CA: Unlike conventional medicine, functional medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease rather than focusing on the symptoms. This new branch of health care, addresses the underlying cause of diseases, using a systems approach and engaging both the patient and doctor. Unlike traditional medicine where doctors look at “signs and symptoms,” functional medicine goes far beyond and investigates the entire body for the “why” of the disease.
When the cause of the disease is located, healing and improved health can begin. You will receive patient-centered care, a comprehensive examination and a complete review of medical history with diagnostic testing (if needed) to aid in the evaluation and location of the cause of the chronic disease. Afterwards, a treatment plan will be designed to help start the road to recovery and awesome health.
What sets functional medicine apart?
Integrated Medical Practices: Functional medicine combines traditional practices with alternative and integrative medicine. This means we focus on not just treatment but prevention through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes. Supplementation and stress management also play an integral part in functional medicine.
Care Centered Around the Patient: Treatments are tailored to the individual needs of the patient rather than the symptoms themselves. This allows us to gain a better knowledge of the patient’s story and history allowing us to provide the best care possible. Functional medicine enables our clinic to practice proactive, predictive, personalized medicine and empowers patients to take an active role in their own health.
Functional medicine treatment plans
Functional medicine treatment plans will usually include making some changes in the patient’s lifestyle. These include changes to nutrition, physical activity, stress management, exposure to toxic substances and additional factors. These changes are designed to work with genetic makeup and work well in each individual patient’s environment. Although individual genes may make a patient susceptible to some disease, lifestyle changes can help target these problem areas and drastically improve the overall health of the patient.
One functional medicine benefit is the active role patients take in their own care while partnering with Dr. Olsen. Our patients are often surprised at the extensive amount of time that Dr. Olsen spends with them, asking questions about their diet, symptoms, exposure to certain chemicals, family history, and prior illnesses. Our patients appreciate the fact that our holistic approach stresses natural therapies that avoid the use of surgery or medication.
