Functional Medicine is the yin to Acupuncture's yang

The Institute of Functional Medicine states that "Functional Medicine is a systems-based and biology-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease."

Let's break this down: A systems-based approach is the understanding that no one-system of the body operates independently. For example, your nervous system is very much affected by your digestive system, just like your endocrine system (hormones) are not independent of your circulatory system. Each system feeds one another. This really is another way of expressing a Holistic approach. This differers from our Western conventional medicine where we have specialists who only address one system of the body at a time (Gastroenterologist, Endocrinologist, etc).

A biology-based approach refers to science-based, meaning we can see, feel, hear what we are treating. This differs from many Traditional and energy-based medicines, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, Reiki, or energy healing where we can't actually find under a microscope the energy being treated, or dissect out to touch an acupuncture meridian. A biology based-approach is evidence-based and research backed.

As a Licensed Acupuncturist by trade, and with my training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, turned Medical Acupuncturist, I love the foundation of Functional Medicine. Medical Acupuncture is simply a biology-based acupuncture approach. We only offer treatments that are research backed and we treat physical pathologies such as nerve impingements, autoimmune flares, or infertility. Problems you can see on a blood test, XRAY/MRI, or biopsy. Traditional Chinese Medicine has a foundation of treating the patient as a whole, it truly is Holistic Medicine at its finest, however, many of the antidotes are outdated or render non-compliance. Functional Medicine is the perfect Yin to Medical Acupuncture's Yang.

Take a provider who's training is in Western Allopathic medicine where the thought is that each part operates individually and try to teach them a Holistic, systems-based approach and there my friends, you could run into a problem. That's like trying to train a cat dog-tricks. Although not impossible, it makes far more sense to take a group of people whose training has been in systems-based medicine, and simply expand that knowledge.

I think I hear the phrase "I really don't like needles at all" at least a dozen times per day. And you can't blame them, I really don't like to get repeatedly stabbed either. Many of our patients decide to start, or simply just do Functional Medicine with one of our providers. Although Acupuncture in its own right is so powerful, without the correct diagnosis, we can't treat you well without the proper tools. Every patient at our clinic undergoes some extent of Functional Medicine evaluation. Whether that is a simple systems check, a basic blood test reading or an in-depth expanded Functional Medicine appointment, we insist on this piece. Without it, we wouldn't be doing our job. 

We provide an in-depth look at how your diet, sleep habits, stress management skills, exercise routine, genetics, and overall well being is currently affecting your physical and mental health. We do this by a subjective screening of reported health symptoms, and an objective look at your blood tests which can be minimal or in-depth. We might simply look at your annual physical labs and assess if you are trending away from normal on one side or another. 

When you see your Primary Care Physician, they will assess your labs based only on if your lab markers are already out of range; in other words, if you already have major imbalances. We assess your labs with a fine tooth comb to prevent your numbers from encroaching into the red. We also might test your hormones, look at an autoimmune panel, and check out the variety of your gut microbes and balance of good and bad bacteria in your colon. Not only will we assess these items, but we will also do a lab review. 

We all love when you get the call from a nurse saying your labs were normal, but secretly hate it when they don't explain anything about your labs! Amongst others, we also do bi-weekly appointments to help with recipe ideas, check in on symptoms to see if adjustments need to be made, and help with stress management techniques. We are also supplement conscious, meaning, we don't want, or expect you to be on 20 different supplements. If you ever see someone who claims they do Functional Medicine, all while prescribing more than six or seven supplements for one given period, please understand that is not Functional Medicine. That is Western Medicine with the use of supplements instead of pharmaceuticals. That is not a systems-based approach. 

Not only do we understand the root cause of disease, and assemble a treatment plan with a variety of steps and phases to help you achieve true health, but we also try to help you save money where you can. We cut out the middleman for many of our products by going direct to the manufacturer so you pay less for the highest quality supplements. Every product you buy from Amazon, Natural Grocers, or King Soopers has been marked up substantially by the supplement company. We are the supplement company selling directly to you, therefore, you pay much less for better quality supplements than what you can find in town. Our supplement brand is called Orvience and we stock our products at our clinic in Evergreen. 

Unfortunately, your best advocate for your health isn't always your doctor, or your spouse, or your neighbor, it's you. In order to achieve the health and wellbeing you desire, you have to put in the time and effort. I promise you though, if you do, and you are deeply wanting a change in your health, Functional Medicine is an amazing option. We offer both in-person and telemedicine appointments with ease of access. Check us out at EvergreenMedicalAcupuncture.com and Orvience.com for more information. We wish you all happy healing!