We use a holistic approach to treat chronic disease, with a focus on nutrition. Lead a healthier life — from the inside out.
At Lakeside Chiropractic, Dr. Colton Hoffenbacker offers a comprehensive, 2-hour functional medicine evaluation that focuses on exposure and lifestyle to treat chronic disease. With the help of nutrition, supplementation, and working with other medical professionals we develop an individualized approach for each patient.
The demands of a fast-paced American lifestyle unfortunately places priority on success, income, and productivity rather than on nutrition and health. The art of savoring the food we put into our mouth is lost because many Americans have lost the time and art of preparing, cooking and appreciating a family meal. Staples of the westernized standard American diet – grains, dairy, refined sugars and vegetable oils – account for 70% of total daily energy intake and were never intended to be consumed in such large amounts.
Functional Medicine is intrinsically linked to the recognition of the critical role of combining a healthy diet with essential targeted nutrition like whole foods and specific nutrients your body needs. This is perhaps the most important factor in the maintenance of health and the prevention and reversal of disease.
What is functional medicine?
The functional medicine model of care offers a patient-centered approach to chronic disease management. It seeks to answer the question, “Why are you ill?” so you can receive personalized, effective care for your needs.
Functional medicine providers spend time listening to you and gathering your medical history. We use this information to identify the root cause(s) of the illness, including triggers such as poor nutrition, stress, toxins, allergens, genetics and your microbiome (the bacteria living in and on your body).
Once we identify the triggers, we can customize a healthy living plan for you. Your plan will address many aspects of your life, from physical needs, including nutrition, exercise and sleep, to mental and emotional stressors related to social, work and community life.
The foundation of functional medicine is the use of food as a first-line therapy. The right nutrition, combined with lifestyle and behavioral interventions, will help you take charge of your health. With the guidance of Dr. Hoffenbacker, gain control of your life! (1)
How does functional medicine differ from standard healthcare?
1. Functional medicine creates a customized health plan. Standard American healthcare focuses on symptom management which is identifying an established set of symptoms and using pharmaceutical interventions to minimize them. This can yield positive results if you need urgent care, but it fails for long term health goals. Why is that? Well the standardized approach doesn’t take into account your unique circumstance, history, and lifestyle. Functional medicine offers a comprehensive view of patient health and recognize that you need a personalized solution to your medical concerns.
2. Functional medicine diagnoses and treats chronic conditions rather than minimizing symptoms. Addressing your health concerns and getting healthy requires knowing what is making you sick. When you present to your doctor with several conditions (ie, high blood pressure, fatigue, and high cholesterol), standard healthcare physicians will give you a prescription script or two and a quick speech about exercise or diet. However, taking a pill only bandaids the symptom and doesn’t actually fix the problem, and lifestyle changes require a support and guidance. Functional medicine can help you resolve health issues that standard healthcare primarily treats through drug-assisted symptom reduction.
Optimize your life, schedule a Functional Medicine appointment today!
Just as food causes chronic disease, it can be the most powerful cure.
-Hippocrates