What Is Functional Medicine? Let’s Talk About It.

(Disclosure: I don’t have functional medicine training, nor do I have experience integrating functional medicine into my dermatology practice. I’m not an expert in this area, but I’m a learner, and I want to help my patients get the best transformation possible.)

Functional medicine is a holistic approach to health that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes (hence the common tree/root model pictured here) of disease rather than just treating symptoms. 

In the age of inflammation, FM is having a moment, deservedly so. 

It’s helpful to talk about functional medicine in contrast to conventional western medicine. In conventional medicine, physicians like me who train at allopathic medical schools learn the inner workings of the human body, what happens when things go wrong, and how to put out the fire.

We put things in boxes on based on history, symptoms, exam findings, and tests. Patterns emerge. We make diagnoses such as atopic dermatitis. These diagnoses get a code (e.g., L20.9). We discuss treatment strategies. 

We also save lives. Full stop.

Much of the time, it works fine. I’ve helped many people get their lives back using this strategy and the rich pharmacopeia of modern medicine.

For some people, though, it fails. 

These people are labeled “difficult patients” because they don’t fit into a box. We don’t have the training, skill, and time to understand their experience and account for the bio-individuality that makes their pathophysiology unique.

Acknowledgment of the importance of bio-individuality is the beating heart of functional medicine.

Conventional medicine physicians in conventional practices (read: high patient volume = solvency) may understand the value of this but likely don’t feel empowered to use it to help these patients who have more nebulous presentations. 

This was me for the first four years of my career after residency.

But I’m learning.

And my mind is open.

And my desire to help patients like this rather than cringe when I see their name on my schedule is stronger than ever.

If you’ve been through the conventional medicine spin cycle, likely with numerous specialists and sometimes multiple specialists within the same field, and you still don’t feel heard, seen, and understood, there are physicians out there who can and want to help you.

You just may need to look and think outside the box like we are.

Shout out to my friend Dr. Robert Kornfeld, an independent physician with decades of experience making functional medicine the foundation of his podiatry practice. He has opened my eyes and inspired me to learn more. If you’re a frustrated podiatrist, consider taking his course. I have no financial conflict of interest to declare.

What pre-conceived notions do you have about FM? What snap judgments did you make when you read the title of this post?

It’s OK. I’ve had them and still do. It’s all about curiosity, logic, and balance. Let’s have a conversation.