What Role Does Chiropractic Play With Functional Medicine?

In the Field of Functional Medicine, Chiropractic Care Plays an Important Role
Imagine a doctor asking you about all the aspects of your lifestyle rather than providing a quick fix like "take two aspirin and call me in the morning." Instead of offering a quick fix, imagine them asking you about all the aspects of your lifestyle. Functional medicine doctors practice that. There are many different types of doctors, such as MDs, chiropractors, and osteopaths. Their commonality is that they approach your health holistically.

A patient-centered approach to treatment

In the past decade, the term "patient-centered healthcare" has become increasingly popular. Isn't it important for healthcare to always be patient-centered? Essentially, functional medicine focuses on the whole person instead of a disease or disorder. Functional medicine doctors look for the root of a patient's problem instead of just treating symptoms. Doctors like these recognize that every patient is unique and don't treat them as a one-size-fits-all.

The mind, body, and spirit

The purpose of functional medicine is to dig deeper than just finding out what is physically wrong with a patient. In addition, they may ask you about your relationships with partners and family members, as well as your emotional and spiritual well-being. Their goal is to maximize your overall vitality rather than simply treat disease.

Disease prevention that is cost-effective

It is more cost-effective to prevent a disease than to treat it. Functional medicine doctors save you money by preventing damage caused by poor nutrition, stress, and exposure to environmental toxins.

Chiropractors: What's Their Role?

As part of comprehensive functional medicine, chiropractic care assists patients in achieving optimal health. Furthermore, functional medicine concepts fit into many chiropractors' practices, since they use their tools to treat patients effectively.

Traditional spinal manipulation is the main focus of some chiropractors. While others have incorporated more functional medicine principles into the chiropractic care they offer. The interventions could include acupuncture, nutritional counseling, and lifestyle changes. Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other complex illnesses are particularly popular with chiropractors who use this integrated approach.

The goal of functional medicine chiropractors is to maximize the health of their patients in collaboration with other practitioners. As an example, a chiropractor may recommend an acupuncturist for additional treatment. It is also possible that the acupuncturist will refer her patients to a chiropractor. As a team, they work together to ensure the best interests of the patient are met.

Functional Medicine Chiropractors: What to Expect

A functional medicine chiropractor often surprises patients with how much time he or she spends with them. Unlike your typical doctor, you can expect a lengthy interview. It is likely that the staff will ask you about your diet history, exposure to toxins, past illnesses, and current symptoms on a questionnaire. Lab tests may also be ordered by your functional medicine doctor.

Functional medicine involves the patient actively. By changing your diet and lifestyle, rather than passively taking medications to treat current symptoms, you will work with your chiropractor to improve your health.

Dr. Mark S. Sielski, DC, CCSP, CFMP