What is Functional Medicine?

Functional Medicine incorporates the latest in genetic science, systems biology, and understanding of how environmental and lifestyle factors influence the emergence and progression of disease. Functional medicine addresses the

Holistic Nurse Practitioner
Martha Bray, FNP-BC, APRN

underlying causes of disease, using a system based approach that engages both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. The term “functional medicine” was coined in 1993 to describe the medicine of the future.1 In fact, today, many complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, practitioners use a functional medicine approach that includes the following:

• Patient uniqueness: Each individual is unique. This uniqueness encompasses voluntary activities, such as decision-making, personality development, and emotional response, and involuntary activities like metabolism of nutrients, cellular processing of information, and communication among the body’s organ systems. Functional medicine professionals realize that all individuals have unique metabolic patterns that affect their health needs and thus, the concept of individuality is central to every aspect of functional medicine, from clinical assessment and diagnosis to the broad spectrum of treatment modalities.  
• Patient-centered approach: Functional medicine practitioners use a patient-centered approach to support wellness. This means that in addition to considering the overall health of the patient, functional medicine practitioners consider the beliefs, attitudes, and motivations, as well as the physical, mental, and emotional aspects, of the patient.
• Preventive care: Optimal health is not just the absence of disease. Even the most minor symptoms can foreshadow more serious conditions later in life. This often happens via the “snowball effect,” in which a “minor” imbalance within the body produces a cascade of biological triggers that can eventually lead to poor health and chronic illness. For this reason, functional medicine focuses on the prevention, instead of just the treatment of, even the most minor imbalances.2

Through changes in lifestyle, environment, and nutrition, functional medicine professionals rely on their knowledge of key physiological, genetic, and biochemical processes for establishing an innovative form of total patient wellness amidst the diversity of interests in health care today.1

References
The Institute for Functional Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2002, from http://www.fxmed.com/aboutus/about-frame.html
GSDL Functional Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2002, from http://www.gsdl.com/gsdl/functional_med.html

Mind/Body Medicine

What is Mind/Body Medicine?

Mind/body medicine is an approach to healing that uses the power of thoughts and emotions to influence physical health. As Hippocrates once wrote, "The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well." This is the essence of mind/body medicine.

Does Mind/Body Medicine work?
While phrases such as "mind over matter" have been around for years, only recently have scientists found solid evidence that mind-body techniques actually do combat disease and promote health. In 1989, a landmark study by David Spiegel, M.D. at Stanford University School of Medicine dramatically demonstrated the power of the mind to heal. Of 86 women with late-stage breast cancer, half received standard medical care while the other half received the standard care plus weekly support sessions in which the women were able to share both their grief and their triumphs. Spiegel discovered that the women who participated in the social support group lived twice as long as the women who did not.

What are Mind/Body Techniques?
The key to any mind/body technique is to "train" the mind to focus on the body without distraction. It is in this state of "focused concentration" that an individual may be able to change his or her health. The following are some of the most commonly practiced techniques.

Biofeedback: Biofeedback is a technique in which people are trained to improve their health by learning to control certain internal bodily processes that normally occur involuntarily, such as heart rate or blood pressure. These activities can be measured with electrodes and displayed on a monitor that both the participant and his or her practitioner can see. The monitor thereby provides feedback to the participant about the internal workings of his or her body. This person can then be taught to use this information to gain control over these "involuntary" activities. Biofeedback is an effective therapy for many conditions, but it is primarily used to treat tension headache, migraine headache, and chronic pain.

Relaxation Techniques: There are three major types of relaxation techniques:

• Autogenic training. This technique uses both visual imagery and body awareness to move a person into a deep state of relaxation. The person imagines a peaceful place and then focuses on different physical sensations, moving from the feet to the head. For example, one might focus on warmth and heaviness in the limbs, easy, natural breathing, a calm heartbeat, and a cool forehead.
• Progressive muscle relaxation. This technique involves slowly tensing and then releasing each muscle group individually, starting with the muscles in the toes and finishing with those in the head.
• Meditation. The two most popular forms of meditation in the U.S. include Transcendental Meditation (students repeat a mantra [a single word or phrase], maintaining an "oh well" attitude if other thoughts arise) and mindfulness meditation (students focus their attention on their moment-by-moment thoughts and sensations).

Hypnosis: During hypnosis (taken from the Greek term hypnos, meaning "sleep") a person's body relaxes while his or her thoughts become more focused and attentive. It is in this state of deep concentration that people are highly responsive to a hypnotherapist's suggestions. There are three layers of hypnosis: the first is absorption (becoming deeply engaged in the words or images presented by a hypnotherapist); the second is dissociation (letting go of critical thoughts); and the third is responsiveness (complying whole-heartedly to a hypnotherapist's suggestions). Today, many mental health professionals use hypnosis to treat people with addictions, pain, anxiety disorders, and phobias.

Is There Something "Fishy" About Your Fish Oil?

Is There Something "Fishy" About Your Fish Oil?

What you need to know isn’t on the label. Purity and quality of fish oil supplements (omega-3s, EPA, DHA) is a growing public concern. High quality supplements have the potential to offer wonderful health support. But lesser quality products may contain potentially harmful levels of compounds that negatively impact health—or not work or taste as well as they should.

• Contamination. Some fish oil products may contain excessive levels of harmful toxins.
• Country of origin. Some products are manufactured in countries with less consistent quality standards.
• Rancidity. Fish oil is unstable and can quickly become spoiled and oxidized, which can be bad for your health.
• Low potency. Some products may contain lower levels of omega-3s than promised on labels.
• Fishy aftertaste. Fish oil supplements don’t have to taste (or smell) like fish to work well.

You see why it’s important to know what’s behind the label. Is it a preferred source (location, type of fish, responsible fishing methods)? What are the purity standards? Who does the testing? Where is it made? Is it protected against rancidity? How does it taste?

The hard investigative work has already been done for you. Schedule a visit to discuss personalized recommendations for great-tasting, quality fish oils without the worry—and the strength to give the support you need.

COMPLIMENTARY NUTRITIONAL & LIFESTYLE ASSESSMENTS
WITH DR. PALMER. CALL AND SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

Join us in saving lives. With every 2 bottles of fish oil you purchase from us, you help a child in need. In partnership with Metagenics and Vitamin Angels, we are engaged in Operation 20/20 - an outreach program aimed at reducing child mortality and eradicating childhood blindness. Every 2 bottles you purchase of any of our high quality fish oil supplements from Metagenics will fund nutritional support for 1 year for a child in need.

Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Practices

Surveys Say that Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practices are Prevalent

Back in 1993, a national survey found that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) plays a significant role in U.S. health care.¹ Since then, CAM therapies have increasingly attracted the attention of medical doctors and researchers as well as the public, the government, and the media. In fact, the use of CAM therapies has increased substantially. In 1997, a study showed that over 40% of Americans used some form of CAM in their health care routine.² In 2001, another study revealed that 68% of respondents that were tracked from a 1977 survey reported using at least one CAM therapy.³ Presently, roughly 64% of U.S medical schools offer CAM courses and several medical insurance companies offer benefits and reimbursements for CAM procedures.^4,5         

There are numerous CAM therapies that support the relief of different health problems. In the survey, the most prevalent conditions of CAM patients included neck, back, and digestive problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety. The most common therapies included relaxation techniques, herbal medicine, massage, chiropractic, spiritual healing by others, and nutritional supplements.² In particular, the use of herbal remedies and nutritional supplements rose 380% and 130%, respectively, between 1990 and 1997.²        

There are several social, cultural, and personal factors—including health, beliefs, attitudes, and motivations—that influence a person’s decision to use CAM therapies. A recent study investigated the reasons why significant numbers of people undergo various CAM therapies. It was demonstrated that the majority of patients find that CAM is more closely tied to their own values and beliefs. CAM patients tend to hold philosophies toward health and life which can be described as holistic. In other words, the majority of CAM users believe that the body, mind, and spirit all play a crucial role in maintaining proper health.⁶ Additionally, many CAM patients seem to be disappointed with conventional medicine because they felt this type of health care tends to focus on illness and symptoms instead of health-promoting treatments.⁶ 

In conclusion, several national studies have shown that the frequency of use of CAM in the U.S. is far higher than previously thought. As the diversity of CAM therapies, providers, and patients expands, it will be interesting to see what the future has in store. 

References

1. Barrett B. Complementary and alternative medicine: what’s it all about? WMJ 2001;100(7):20-26.
2. Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Ettner S, et al. Trends in alternative medicine use in the United States, 1990-1997. JAMA 1998;280(18):1569-75.
3. Kessler RC, Davis RB, Foster DF, et al. Long-term trends in the use of complementary and alternative medical therapies in the United States. Ann Intern Med 2001;135(4):262-68.
4. Wetzel MS, Eisenberg DM, Kaptchuk TJ, et al. Courses involving complementary and alternative medicine at US medical schools. JAMA 1998;280(9):784.
5. Pelletier KR, Marie A, Krasner M, et al. Current trends in the integration and reimbursement of complementary and alternative medicine by managed care, insurance carriers, and hospital providers. Am J Health Promot 1997;12(2):112-22.
6. Astin JA. Why patients use alternative medicine. JAMA 1998;279(19):1548-53.