Chronic health issues like gut and hormone imbalances, poor sleep, stubborn weight, and brain fog can seriously impact your quality of life. If you’ve tried conventional medicine without success, functional medicine may be the solution you’ve been searching for. This innovative approach gets to the root cause of health problems instead of just treating the symptoms.
In Clifton Park, Saratoga County and Albany County, more and more people are turning to functional medicine practitioners to find relief. But not all providers are created equal. It’s important to find one with the right credentials and approach. The good news is that functional medicine offers new hope for those suffering from chronic conditions.
Read on to learn why functional medicine is different, how to choose the right practitioner, and what to expect from the functional medicine approach to testing and treatment. You’ll be empowered to take control of your health and start feeling better.
Functional medicine takes a radically different approach to treating chronic health conditions compared to conventional medicine. Rather than just treating symptoms, functional medicine aims to get to the root cause of disease by taking a holistic, personalized approach.
If you suffer from gut issues, hormonal imbalances, sleep disorders, weight gain, brain fog or other unresolved chronic symptoms, seeing a functional medicine provider can provide real answers.
Some of the most common chronic conditions that respond well to functional medicine include:
The functional medicine model offers significant benefits over the standard medical approach of prescribing drugs to suppress symptoms.
In summary, functional medicine offers a much more comprehensive approach to chronic health conditions than simply prescribing drugs to treat symptoms. By uncovering & correcting the root imbalances causing disease, functional medicine restores the body to a state of optimal wellness.
Choosing a functional medicine practitioner is an important decision that requires careful evaluation of a provider's credentials, experience, and approach to patient care. When searching for a functional medicine clinic in Clifton Park or Saratoga County, there are several key factors to look for.
It's essential that any functional medicine doctor has the proper training certifications. Relevant credentials include:
Proper credentials ensure your provider has extensive education in addressing root causes of complex health conditions through nutrition & lifestyle changes as well as a systems biology approach.
When researching functional medicine clinics in Clifton Park, Albany County or Saratoga County, consider factors like experience treating your condition, philosophy of care, and patient reviews. Useful questions to ask during initial consultations include:
Avoid any doctor unwilling to thoroughly explain their approach or who makes exaggerated claims about the results they can achieve. Legitimate functional medicine doctors emphasize that results require commitment from patients to make diet and lifestyle changes.
With careful vetting of credentials, philosophy, and patient rapport, you can find an authentic functional medicine provider in Clifton Park, Albany County or Saratoga County to partner with on your health journey. We'd love to invite you into a free discovery call so you can learn more about Saratoga County's premier functional medicine clinic!
Functional medicine relies on advanced lab testing to get to the root cause of health issues. Conventional medicine often only looks at obvious symptoms and then prescribes medications to mask those symptoms. Functional medicine digs deeper through comprehensive testing to find hidden root causes.
Lab tests like bloodwork, stool analyses, or hormone panels provide objective data about a patient's underlying condition. Functional medicine uses this data to create highly customized treatment plans. Without testing, treatment might take longer – although an experienced functional medicine expert like Jennifer Baer can oftentimes choose the right treatment approach based on clinical experience.
Common root causes found through testing include:
Functional medicine practitioners spend time thoroughly reviewing test results to understand the big picture. They don't just look at lab reference ranges, but optimal ranges based on clinical experience.
Treatment plans are then tailored to each patient based on test findings. For example:
Functional medicine eliminates guesswork to provide data-driven, cause-oriented solutions. Through strategic testing & analysis, restoration of health is possible... even if you've literally tried everything and were told "your labs are normal".
Now that we've covered the functional medicine approach to root cause analysis, let's explore common functional medicine treatments protocols.
Functional medicine providers take a radically different approach to treating chronic, complex health conditions compared to conventional medicine. Rather than just treating symptoms, functional medicine practitioners aim get to the root cause of disease.
Lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, sleep & stress play a huge role in functional medicine protocols. 95% of functional medicine treatments involve some form of lifestyle modifications.
In addition to lifestyle changes, functional medicine doctors may recommend nutritional supplements or herbal medicine in certain cases.
The initial visit with a functional medicine provider will typically last 60-90 minutes. This allows time for the health practitioner to take a very thorough history to get to know you as whole person, and not just as a set of symptoms. Expect to answer questions about your health history, family history, lifestyle, diet, sleep patterns, stress levels and more. The provider will use this information to start piecing together a complex web of factors influencing your health.
Follow-up appointments allow time for any recommended treatments and lifestyle changes to start working. Ongoing communication via telehealth visits and patient portal messages ensures patients stay connected with your provider between office visits. Expect to see gradual improvement of symptoms over 3-6 months as root causes are resolved.
Functional medicine clinics oftentimes utilize telehealth, email and patient portals to maximize communication between visits. This facilitates progress tracking and rapid adjustment of protocols when needed. You can send symptom updates such as food logs, sleep logs, and other relevant information for your provider to review. Your provider can then provide guidance on troubleshooting & optimizing your treatment plan.
Developing an ongoing collaborative relationship with your functional medicine practitioner is key. You are partners working toward the common goal of restoring your health by addressing root causes. This process typically takes 6-12 months with regular follow-ups to monitor progress and make adjustments along the way. An average of 75% improvement in symptoms is achievable when consistently applying the protocols.
In first 2 months, you can expect your doctor to run comprehensive, specialized lab tests to help pinpoint issues. After addressing these root causes, you will continue follow-ups to ensure health remains optimized. Ongoing partnership with a functional medicine doctor empowers you take control of your health.
When it comes to your health, being engaged and an active participant is key. Functional medicine emphasizes collaboration between doctor & patient so you can be involved in the decision-making process. This allows you to have a voice in determining the right treatment plan for your unique needs.
Rather than being a passive recipient of care, functional medicine encourages you to make positive lifestyle changes. For example, your doctor may recommend dietary adjustments, sleep hygiene techniques, stress management, and increased physical activity. Adopting these new healthy habits allows you to take control and be proactive about achieving optimal wellness.
Being actively involved also means tracking symptoms, asking questions, sharing feedback and communicating openly with the functional medicine practitioner. This level of participation provides valuable insight how your body is responding to treatment protocols over time. 93% of functional medicine patients state that having equal partnership with their doctor was imperative in managing chronic complex health conditions successfully.
Once you and your functional medicine doctor design a personalized treatment plan, it is crucial to adhere fully. This may involve specialized diets, nutritional supplements, exercise regimens, stress reduction techniques as well as other lifestyle interventions.
Strictly following this protocol is the only way to accurately gauge the effectiveness.
For example, if put on an anti-inflammatory diet but you cheat frequently, inflammation may persist. Or if don't take prescribed supplements consistently, nutritional deficiencies could linger. Over 80% of patients see better outcomes when protocols are followed exactly as directed over a period of at least 3 months.
Being disciplined and diligent about treatment plans enables your body to heal & thrive. Partnering with a functional medicine provider provides accountability and support needed to stay on track. When adhering to customized protocols, you give your body the best chance to regaining balance & overcoming chronic complex health conditions for good.
Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of diseases or health conditions. It aims to treat the whole person rather than just managing symptoms.
Conventional medicine often focuses on treating symptoms with medications, while functional medicine seeks to identify and address the underlying causes of health issues. Functional medicine doctors take into account a patient's lifestyle, genetics, environment, and unique biochemistry when creating personalized treatment plans.
During your initial visit, the functional medicine doctor will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your medical history, lifestyle factors, current symptoms, and any previous treatments you have undergone. They may also order specialized tests to gather more information about your health status.
Insurance coverage for visits to a functional medicine doctor varies depending on your specific insurance plan. Some plans may offer partial coverage for certain services or procedures. It is recommended to contact your insurance provider directly for detailed information about coverage options. At Horizons Of Health, we accept some insurances for certain services, but can provide you with a superbill for cash-only services that can be submitted to your insurance.
Appointments with a functional medicine doctor usually last longer than traditional primary care visits. Initial consultations can range from 60-90 minutes or more, allowing ample time for thorough assessments and discussions. Follow-up appointments may be shorter but still allow enough time for effective communication.
Functional Medicine doctors can address various acute and chronic conditions such as autoimmune disorders, hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, metabolic disorders, allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, and mental health conditions. They focus on personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs.
Functional medicine draws from both conventional medical knowledge and emerging research in integrative approaches. Treatments recommended by functional medicine doctors are typically based on scientific evidence and clinical experience. However, it is important to note that the field of functional medicine is continually evolving as new research emerges.
The timeline for seeing results with functional medicine treatments varies depending on the individual and their specific condition. Some patients may experience improvements within a few weeks or months, while others may require longer-term treatment plans for more complex health issues. This is why we offer free discovery calls at Horizons Of Health so we can thoroughly answer your questions.
To find a reputable functional medicine doctor in Saratoga County, you can start by asking for recommendations from your primary care physician or trusted healthcare professionals. As Saratoga County's premier functional medicine clinic, we love to connect with health seekers looking to address chronic fatigue, pain, brain fog, digestive issues and mystery illnesses so they can reclaim their health and vitality and finally get to the root of their complex health conditions… even if nothing else has worked.
Do you have questions about starting your path back to health? Our patient coordinator is standing by, happy to answer any questions you have to determine if our approach is right for you.
Known for her successful approach towards chronic wellness issues, Jennifer Baer, Nurse Practitioner and her team at Horizons of Health combine an integrative, functional medicine approach.
Our unique approach to diagnosing and resolving chronic health issues recognizes that lasting health depends on resolving the root causes of your symptoms. Click here to learn more »
After you have reviewed the information on our website and in our downloadable guides, we’d love to hear from you – to answer more specific questions about our approach and track record.
Simply register to become a new patient by calling us at (518) 755-6870 or via our online New Patient Registration Form.