FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE MATRIX
Functional Medicine
Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging 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.
By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, Functional Medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms.
By looking at the interactions between genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, the Functional Medicine model facilitates healing by restoring balance and bringing the mind and body back into alignment.
There are seven systems in functional systems rather than just looking at disease types. These systems can help us differentiate where origins of the problems arise not just treating the symptoms.
Nutrient Assimilation and Gut Health
A common functional medicine concept describing healing the gut, is used to convey not only the need for a fit GI tract but also calls attention to the influence the gut has in supporting the integrity of the entire physiological system well beyond the digestive tract.
Assimilation, for example, is the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and then transported throughout the body. Nutrients are also assimilated through the respiratory tract. To recognize dysfunction in the GI tract, a provider will need to assess the process of digestion and absorption, intestinal permeability, presence of a healthy gut microbiota, immune modulation, and the connection of the gut to the nervous system.
A dysfunction at any point along the GI tract may introduce or lead to systemic inflammation, which, if addressed, may help in the healing process; if unattended, it may foster undesirable, adverse consequences.
Immune System Integrity through Defense and Repair
Defense and repair is a system of health that is achieved by a properly functioning immune system and the ability of the body to regulate the inflammatory processes. Inflammation may help the body to heal, but it also has the potential to promote illness and disease when it persists or gets out of control, causing damage and pain. Thus, functional medicine providers assess the patient’s practices and behaviors that may identify the cause(s) of immune dysfunction, such as a pro-inflammatory diet, food allergies and intolerances, microbial infections, hormonal imbalances, or nutritional deficiencies. Imbalances in any of these areas may lead to dysregulation of the inflammatory system.
Cellular Energy Production
Energy focuses on the need for and production of energy within the cells throughout the body. A strong focus of this node gives attention to the mitochondria, or the powerhouse of cells. Dysfunction in energy production may arise from various causes, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, a nutritional deficiency, or EBV.
A breakdown in energy production may be sensed by the patient in any part of the body that contains mitochondria, but may be most noticed in areas of highest mitochondrial concentration, such as the brain and heart. Dysfunctions in the cells in these organs might manifest with symptoms such as chronic pain, headache, dementia, anxiety, and depression.
Biotransformation, Elimination and Detoxification
Biotransformation and elimination describes the system of the matrix encompassing toxicity and detoxification. The human body is designed to eliminate toxins but at varying rates. If the toxic burden is too great, dysfunctions arise, usually in the form of pain. Toxicity may exist as a single entity, such as a heavy metal, but more often occurs in multiple units affecting the total body. When this total body burden is present, the functional medicine provider may guide the patient through a process of detoxification.
Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems via Transport
Transport is the node of the matrix representing the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems. Freedom of flow through these two systems allows for blood and lymphatic functioning.
A dysfunction in one of these systems may lead to cardiac issues, such as heart failure and hypertension, or lymphatic issues, such as lymphedema.
System Communication
Communication occurs through the endocrine and immune systems, or more specifically, through the conduction of neurotransmitters. A functional medicine provider will assess the integrity of these lines of communication to uncover any physiological disruptions. Since every cell relies on communication in order to fulfill its purpose, a breakdown in the lines of communication may manifest as fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, diabetes, or chronic pain, for example.
Structural Integrity
Structural integrity is a system of the functional matrix referring to the subcellular membranes and musculoskeletal structure of the body. Dysfunction affecting any of these cell groups will cause physiologic impairments, such as increased intestinal permeability, cardiomyopathy, reflux, osteopenia, and similarly driven, structural abnormalities. Information from the history will be used to determine whether any of these structural abnormalities may be present.
Diseases that can be addressed by functional medicine.
AUTOIMMUNE
Asthma
Celiac Disease
Crohn’s Disease
Eczema
Hashimoto’s Disease
Lupus
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Osteoarthritis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
CHRONIC DISEASE
Alzheimer’s
Cardiovascular
Dementia
Diabetes Type II
High Cholesterol
Hypertension
CHRONIC INFECTIONS
Cold sores
Parasites
Tick-borne pathogens
Epstein-Barr Virus
Cytomegalovirus
GASTROINTESTINAL
Acid Reflux
Candidiasis
Food Intolerances
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Leaky Gut
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
HORMONE IMBALANCES
Menopause
PMS
Post-partum depression
