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Functional Medicine

Definition:

Functional medicine is a systematic approach to holistic healthcare that licensed medical providers of all kinds can assimilate into their practices. It’s a way to learn, simplify, and implement a personalized, holistic-centered approach to healthcare.

The term “functional medicine” is relatively new. It is what Naturopathic medicine has encompassed all along: science-based individualized healthcare that understands all parts of the body/mind/spirit are connected. We address the underlying cause of disease rather than focusing on symptom management, include nutrition and lifestyle as primary therapies, and treat patients as people rather than as conditions.

Functional medicine is being adopted by many kinds of practitioners wanting to practice more holistically. The Institute for Functional Medicine has relatively short training program for practitioners to become certified in Functional medicine. This is not an accredited medical training program, and there are no state or national board certifications. Naturopathic physicians are uniquely trained in the Functional medicine approach due to our extensive four-year accredited medical school training to address the underlying cause of chronic illness. While the conventional approach focuses on disease management, we emphasize disease prevention and reversing chronic illness, allowing us to deliver the best of what Functional medicine has to offer.

In the six months prior to seeing Dr. Baker, I had 3 acute diverticulitis attacks…two of which landed me in the hospital for IV antibiotics as the oral antibiotics were not working anymore. I was looking at colon surgery. Dr. Baker was recommended to me and after seeing her, she put me on fairly strong probiotics and started me on a program…. I started on the program when I was fighting the attack (fever, abdominal pain, bloating, etc) and my body was able to fight it off without any prescriptions (for the first time ever). Since then, my colon (and body) just keep getting healthier and healthier. I don’t have the diverticulitis attacks or digestive issues I have had for so many years. Additionally, prior to this program, I was on high blood pressure prescriptions and high cholesterol prescriptions. Now I am off all prescriptions. I easily dropped 30 lbs. (without trying and without being hungry) and my labs are the best they have been in decades. I feel like a new woman with great energy and I have Dr. Baker’s wisdom and knowledge to thank for that!

Tracy

I can’t begin to tell you how pleased I am to be going to Dr. Emma Baker. I’m impressed with the “bed-side” manners, that they care and are really taking my health seriously, as well as being more proactive than I’ve seen in a long time. I’m not just another patient in the “herd of cattle” being fed unnecessary medications either. I value natural health and they’re providing functional medicine in conjunction with it…my family and I highly recommend their team!

Adam

I have been a patient of Dr. Baker’s for several months now. In this short time she has conducted tests and asked questions regarding my individual health profile. Her thoroughness revealed important information about my specific body chemistry; its strengths and deficiencies. Dr. Baker then prescribed natural treatment options. The results have already made marked positive changes in my body’s function and I look forward to continued increases in general health, stamina, and libido. I have been able to come off synthetic hormones successfully and with dramatic positive healthful changes. I have lost ten pounds of extra weight and feel better than I have in years! I look forward to continuing my health’s improvement with Dr. Baker’s expertise.

Arlene