ComplementeryFunctional Medicine
personalized approach
COMPLEMENTARY FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
Complementary Functional Medicine focuses primarily on the search and treatment not only of the symptoms but also of the underlying causes of diseases. It is a personalized approach, which takes into consideration the patient’s unique genetic background, as well as specific environmental factors and lifestyle. Causes are explored in areas such as nutrition, stress, toxins, allergens, genetics, and microbiome, treating the individual as a biopsychosocial entity rather than merely a carrier of a disease. Multiple diagnostic tools are used, including specialized blood tests and other laboratory examinations, along with personalized clinical assessments, aiming to identify the root imbalances in the body. These imbalances may involve nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, toxic loads, and chronic infections. After diagnosis, a specific treatment plan is developed to address these imbalances and promote well-being and longevity.
The fundamental principles of Complementary and Functional Medicine are:
- A Holistic Approach by taking into account the individual’s specific physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
- Emphasis is given on Prevention by identifying risk factors and addressing them through lifestyle changes in areas such as diet, nutritional supplements, physical exercise, and stress management techniques.
- Trust in the Body’s Self-Healing Abilities with the appropriate support.
- Focus on Identifying and Addressing Deeper Causes of Chronic Diseases by emphasizing the recognition and management of the underlying causes of chronic illnesses.
- Understanding Interconnections between different body systems and mechanisms through which an imbalance can affect overall health and well-being.
- Encouraging a collaborative relationship between the doctor and the patient, with the patient actively taking part in healthcare, receiving proper education, support, and guidance.
- Addressing deeper causes to reduce the need for medication and promoting long-term healing.
- Evidence-Based Medicine by relying on the latest scientific research and documented practices.
Complementary-Functional Medicine can be applied for:
Therapeutic methods within the framework of Complementary-Functional Medicine include:
- Nutritional Counseling: Guiding the adoption of healthy dietary habits and providing appropriate supplements.
- Lifestyle Counseling: Guidance on physical exercise and stress management techniques such as meditation and deep breathing are suggested.
- Acupuncture: Stimulation of the body’s natural healing powers to achieve balance.
- Chiropractic: Harmonizing and improving nervous system function.
- Orthomolecular Therapy: Herbal supplements are used so as to enhance overall health and well-being.
- Intravenous Therapies: Administration of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
- I.T. (Injection Therapy): A form of intravenous therapy.
BENEFITS OF COMPLEMENTARY-FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
Safety and efficacy
Methods of Complementary-Functional Medicine, such as acupuncture, have been used for thousands of years and have a long way of safety and efficacy. The possibility of combining Complementary-Functional and classical Western Medicine further enhances both safety and efficacy.
Overall health improvement
Complementary-Functional Medicine focuses on the root causes without being limited to the patient’s emerging symptoms, taking into account the patient’s physical, psychological and spiritual state, while using a variety of therapeutic methods. Acupuncture, for example, can be applied to relieve pain and meditation to reduce anxiety.
Reduction of side effects of medications
One of the main benefits of Complementary-Functional Medicine is that it has the means to reduce the side effects of therapeutic means of classical medicine. Thus, nausea and fatigue that often occur as a result of chemotherapy can be significantly reduced by applying acupuncture and therapeutic massage.
Reducing the need for medication
Complementary-Functional Medicine can help reduce prescription drugs, which are often known to have significant side effects.
Promoting self-care
In order to achieve all the above, lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, stress management) are required and therefore the patient’s active participation in the implementation of the treatment plan is of great importance.
Personalized approach
Complementary-Functional Medicine offers personalized treatment plans, covering the needs of each patient. The individual’s medical history, lifestyle and preferences are taken into account, while using a variety of therapeutic tools to address their health problems.
Improving quality of life
The reduction or avoidance of side effects of drugs, which is achieved through Complementary-Functional Medicine, is a key factor in improving the quality of human life. The natural therapeutic methods applied in the context of Complementary-Functional Medicine have beneficial effects on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, thus significantly enhancing the level of human quality of life. Finally, due to the very nature of this therapeutic approach, the patient is empowered in terms of the ability to handle their condition and feel self-fulfillment.