Functional Medicine

’All diseases start in the gut’ Hippocrates.  Maybe not all, but many do.  

Did you know that 70% of inflammation is processed by the gut?  If you’re struggling with chronic pain or inflammation, then functional medicine can help!  It is also useful for weight loss, tiredness/improving energy, managing autoimmune conditions and much more. 

Functional medicine is an alternative approach to medicine and how the human body works.   It is an holistic approach that recognises illness and injury are more than just physical symptoms.   Your signs and symptoms are part of a larger problem and by finding and addressing the root cause, health and wellness can be improved.  This can include lifestyle advice, dietary changes, stress management strategies, exercise programs and bloodwork analysis.  Common conditions that functional medicine can help manage include but are not limited to improving energy levels, weight loss, recurrent injuries, chronic illness, digestive complaints such as bloating and constipation, fertility and enhancing performance.  

Bloodwork analysis Have you ever been to the doctor, had blood tests done, then were told everything is normal.  Yet you don’t feel normal or you wouldn’t have gone to see the doctor.  Conventional blood tests are designed to detect disease, not ensure you’re in optimal health and performing at your best.  Disease can take years to develop.  There are signs and symptoms that appear months or even years earlier that get missed by conventional medicine. 

 The reference ranges used in conventional blood test results compare you to the average population.  The average population is not a healthy population living with optimal health yet your test results are being compared to them. 
Many “average” Australians are living with chronic disease,.  

• 80% of people have a nutrient deficiency.   
  
• 1 in 2 adults suffers from depression.  
  
• Obesity has tripled since 1975.  
  

Sometimes female blood results are even compared to males blood data as well!!
Functional medicine uses a smaller range of values, comparing you to optimal health data.  This allows us to focus on identifying vitamin or mineral deficiencies early, recognise patterns of results to connect signs and symptoms, address root causes and tailor a personal protocol for you to help you thrive.  

Things to Remember

• nothing changes if nothing changes
• Don’t guess, Test!
• Regular Exercise can be hard, but Feeling weak is harder
• Good sleep habits can be hard, but feeling tired is harder
• Eating healthy food can be hard, but being overweight is harder
• Wellness isn’t a luxury it’s your power source
• You are worth it

Lucy is currently studying functional medicine.  This approach aims to find the root cause of your problem/s and help treat the underlying causes with nutrition, exercise, breathing, stress management and essential oils.  

Appointments available soon.