Step 1
HEALTH REVIEW
Step 2
INITIAL ASSSESSMENT
Step 3
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
The focus of functional medicine is on patient centred care, promoting health as a positive vitality, beyond just the absence of disease. By listening to the patient and learning his or her story, the practitioner brings the patient into the discovery process and tailors treatments that address the individual’s unique needs.
Functional medicine practitioners look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each patient is considered, along with both internal (mind, body, and spirit) and external (physical and social environment) factors that affect total functioning.
Functional medicine does not strive to remove all western style medicine. The aim is to reduce your reliance upon drugs if you are taking them, and to work alongside your current regime. It was sometimes termed ‘integrative’ medicine, creating a focus on prevention through nutrition, diet, and exerciseJ use of the latest laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques Supplementation is used alongside and current medication, if using, along with botanicals, therapeutic diets such as gut healing and lifestyle modifications.
The number of people who suffer from complex, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders, etc.
The current system of medicine practiced is oriented toward acute care, such as the diagnosis and treatment of trauma or illness that is of short duration and in need of urgent care, like a broken bone or appendicitis.
Unfortunately, the acute-care approach to medicine lacks the proper methodology and tools for preventing and treating complex, chronic disease. In most cases it does not take into account the unique genetic makeup of each individual or factors such as environmental exposures to toxins and the aspects of today’s lifestyle that have a direct in uence on the rise in chronic disease in our modern western society.
There’s a huge gap between research and the way doctors practice. The gap between emerging research in basic sciences and integration into medical practice is enormous, an individual simply cannot wait, sometimes 20 years and more, for this to lter into practice.
Most Doctors are not adequately trained to assess the underlying causes of complex, chronic disease and to apply strategies such as nutrition, diet, and exercise to both treat and prevent these illnesses in their patients. In the UK, medical students receive less than 30 hours of nutrition and lifestyle medicine over 5 years of training. It is inconceivable that they have to excel in maths and science yet are not taught the basics of how nutrition impacts the pathogenesis of disease.
Your appointment can be either in-person or via Skype. Often follow-up appointments are carried out via Skype as it provides more flexibility in terms of scheduling.
Step 1
HEALTH REVIEW
Take your FREE health assessment online. Once this is reviewed you will be contacted to schedule a brief telephone call to assess your suitability for the programme. Programs typically run for 1 month to 12 weeks (with periodic follow-ups) and beyond, depending on the complexity and severity of your condition.
Step 2
INITIAL ASSSESSMENT
Schedule your Initial Assessment. This will take around 90 minutes. During this detailed appointment we will dive deep into your personal history, symptom review, lifestyle and occupation, current and past diet, exercise regime, previous test results and anything else relevant to your case. We will then discuss what diagnostics are appropriate to your individual case.
These will highlight any imbalances, intolerances, and deficiencies. A personalised health program will be drawn up for you and presented in a follow up session.
Step 3
REVIEW TEST RESULTS
This is where it all comes together. If you have had tests then the results of these tests will have been reviewed and taken into consideration. A report of these ndings along with those gathered in the initial consultation will be discussed with you. You will be presented with a personalised nutrition, lifestyle and stress management plan to address both current, and future health concerns. This will include any supplement recommendations based on your unique needs.
Sarah Smith is a BSc (Hons) Osteopath and has practised locally for over 7 years. With a passion for straight forward health advice ,and a strong belief that the body has an ability to heal itself, Sarah completed her 2 year Diploma in Nutritional Therapy and continues to add to this area of expertise. She is currently studying an MSc Personalised Nutrition with the Centre for Nutrition Education and Lifestyle Management (CNELM) at Middlesex University.
She has furthered her training with extended visits to The Institute of Functional Medicine in America, completing Applied Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP), Cardiometabolic, Immune, Detox and Gastrointestinal Advanced Practice Modules. This education continues with further Advanced practice modules planned later this year.
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Sarah Smith BSc (Hons) Ost. NT Dip. CNM
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Mrs C, Solihull
