“Functional Medicine is a disruptive technology that will overthrow the tyranny of diagnosis.” – Dr. Mark Hyman
There’s a revolution underway.
But first, let me tell you my story. It is a story that I am sure many of you can relate to.
It started about 15 years ago, while living in Singapore. At the time, I was not feeling very good. I had skin problems, mood swings, an inability to focus, digestive issues, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and sleep problems. In order to figure out what was wrong, I saw several medical doctors, ranging from a general practitioner to a gastroenterologist, gynaecologist, and a dermatologist. Each of them diagnosed the issue that was relevant to their area of practice (irritable bowel, estrogen dominance, eczema), prescribed me pills and creams yet NONE of them explained to me why I was dealing with these symptoms.
Who hasn’t had this kind of an experience? Who hasn’t been in a doctor’s office with headaches, aches and pains, digestive complaints, skin issues, depression, you name it? Only to be sent home with a prescription to get rid of these symptoms. No WHYs only WHATs: let’s look at what is wrong with you instead of why is this happening to you.
However frustrating at the time, in hindsight I am glad that I went through this. Because it helped light a fire in me, a burning desire to figure out how to feel great again, a desire to find a better way to approach illness.
The revolution that is taking place right now delivers that better way to approach chronic disease and presents a whole new way of looking at healthcare. Functional Healthcare is centered around the recognition that each of us is a true ecosystem of intersecting biological networks, that we can’t just focus on one area in the body but that everything is connected. It recognizes that everyone is unique and requires personalized medicine and it focuses on underlying causes of disease rather than the tip of the iceberg which are the symptoms.
I have embraced the Functional approach in my practice as a Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner and the best way that I can explain what it means is by sharing the way I work with clients. I haven’t come to these principles on my own, I have many teachers and mentors to thank for helping me shape my practice; people like Reed Davis, Chris Kresser, Dr. Mark Hyman and my mentor, Andrea Nakayama, one of the world’s leading Functional Nutritionists.
Principles of Functional Nutrition & Lifestyle Counseling:
1. Gaining Knowledge
Working with clients in the area of health and nutrition takes a sound understanding of anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology, of where food meets that physiology, and of the key physiological and functional pillars of health.
I spend a lot of time studying, reading research studies, listening to lectures and continuing to build that knowledge base yet what helps me to work with all kinds of different cases is a different kind of knowledge: of being able to get to the underlying causes, of connecting the dots and building a strong foundation by using a Functional model, a set of systems and frameworks that is designed to help figure out “what is going on in there” and what to do about it.
In no way is it about “diagnosing” or treating disease (which is in any case outside my scope of practice) but rather being able to identify whether there may be underlying imbalances in the areas of digestion, hormones, immune, detoxification etc. and working to restore balance in those areas with the help of nutrition and lifestyle modifications.
2. Information Gathering
This is where a lot of time is spent: mapping out a client’s health history and timeline and gathering as much information as possible to help understand what got them to where they are now. What changes took place that led to the onset of their health problems, what makes them feel worse, or better. Do we need to run any tests that provide a deeper understanding of what is happening internally?
3. Defining Outcome & Vision
This is a hugely important step in the process, one that will determine whether a client is successful in making changes or not. 60% of a client’s success depends on their level of commitment. This commitment in turn is directly linked to them finding and expressing their ultimate motivating factor; the big WHY behind the reason that they have come for help.
It is important that they are clear on this and that they understand how the changes they are making connect directly to their desired outcome and vision for themselves.
4. Educating
Making changes becomes a whole lot easier if we know the reasons for doing so, if we understand the implications of eating certain foods and how if affects us internally. Taking time to provide education plays a very important role in supporting clients. Along with the outcome and vision, education is essential in increasing a client’s level of commitment.
5. Connecting
This means building a relationship of trust and working to understand more than just the client’s symptoms, signs and diagnosis. This is about finding out who I am working with, inquiring and identifying factors like habits, sociological conditions, cultural background, environmental influences, etc. as well as integrating these into my approach.
6. Addressing all areas
The name Nutrition and Lifestyle counseling already implies that there is more involved than just diet. Being healthy calls for the removal of all the health blocking factors, be it toxins, allergens, microbes, poor diet or stress in general. But it also requires adding in the right food, nutrients, movement, rest, relationships, meaning and purpose, community and everything else that influences someone’s health and wellbeing.
7. Providing Support
If 60% of a client’s success depends on their level of commitment, approximately 30% depends on the level of support they receive. This means being there for them while they make changes, cheering them on and holding them accountable if necessary all while guiding them to become self reliant and independent.
That, in a nutshell is what it means to have a Functional approach. Not a 15 minutes in-and-out, here’s-your-quick-fix kind of approach. But rather someone who has your back and walks with you all the way. I only wish I could have had that kind of practitioner in my life 15 years ago, to help me figure things out.
We desperately need to embrace a new model for dealing with chronic disease. What we are doing right now is obviously not working. Thinking functionally is what is going to change our future and this is why I am so excited and proud to be a part of this movement.
If you are ready to up-level your health and start addressing the root cause of your health concerns with doable nutrition and lifestyle changes, sign up for a free Discovery Session here, and let’s see if I can help
Be Well.
