About
What is Functional Pharmacology?
Functional pharmacology is the integration of functional medicine with the practice of pharmacy to facilitate optimal patient health outcomes. This approach goes beyond conventional symptom management by identifying and treating the root causes of illness. It incorporates pharmaceutical therapies alongside personalized lifestyle, dietary, and supplement interventions to promote sustained wellness.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a personalized, patient-centered approach to healthcare that focuses on addressing the underlying causes of chronic disease, rather than just managing symptoms. By viewing the body as an interconnected system, practitioners collaborate with patients to develop comprehensive and customized health interventions. These plans are formulated based on a detailed medical history, advanced laboratory testing, and a thorough evaluation of lifestyle factors, including diet, sleep, and stress.
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Conventional Medicine
vs.
Functional Medicine
Conventional Medicine
Approach
Follows a reactive, symptom-first model, where the main goal is to identify a specific disease or condition and then manage or suppress its associated symptoms
Focus
Views the body in separate organ systems, with each medical specialty often focusing on a specific area. (i.e. gastroenterology for gut issues and neurology for nerve disorders)
Assessment
Primarily relies on standardized lab work that looks for results outside of the "normal" reference range, physical exams, and imaging to diagnose specific diseases.
Intervention
Employs standardized protocols, often using pharmaceuticals or surgery to manage symptoms and treat the diagnosed condition.
Appointments
Appointments are often brief due to time constraints, which limits the ability to explore the full scope of a patient's health history.
Patient Involvement
The patient is typically a passive recipient of care, following the doctor's prescribed treatment plan
Functional Medicine
Approach
Adopts a proactive, "root-cause" model, which seeks to identify the underlying factors, such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle, that contribute to illness
Focus
Takes a holistic, systems-biology approach, viewing the body as a complex and interconnected system. It recognizes that imbalances in one area can affect the body as a whole
Assessment
Combines standard diagnostic tests with specialized testing (e.g., hormone panels, nutrient status) to gain deeper insights into imbalances and optimal function.
Intervention
Creates highly personalized and individualized plans. Interventions often include dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, nutritional supplements, and stress-reduction techniques
Appointments
Appointments are often much longer, involving a deep dive into the patient's full health history, lifestyle, and environmental factors to uncover potential triggers.
Patient Involvement
Fosters a therapeutic partnership between the patient and practitioner. Patients are active participants in their healing journey, empowered to make informed choices about their health