Functional medicine offers a unique approach to health and wellness, concentrating on understanding and addressing the underlying factors that influence overall well-being. Unlike traditional medicine, which often concentrates on treating symptoms, functional medicine looks at the body as an integrated system. This method emphasises the importance of understanding the body’s functions in a comprehensive way, considering factors like nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental influences on overall health.
When it comes to skin health, functional medicine recognizes that skin issues are not just surface-level problems but can be indicators of deeper health issues. By examining the underlying causes of skin conditions, functional medicine provides strategies for improving not only skin health but also enhancing overall well-being.
What is functional medicine?
Functional medicine is the key to understanding how to maintain the overall balance of body and mind, extending its holistic approach to encompass skin health, our body’s largest and often most overlooked organ. Recognising the skin’s role not just as a barrier but as a reflection of our internal health, functional medicine sheds light on the intricate connection between our skin and the body’s internal processes.
Skin issues, ranging from dermatitis and eczema to rosacea and bags under the eyes, can serve as early warning signs of deeper health concerns. These conditions often stem from inflammation, food allergies, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and gut health issues, which traditional approaches might not fully address by focusing solely on external symptoms. Functional medicine delves into the “why” behind these manifestations, aiming to uncover and treat the root causes of skin problems.
By prioritising internal health and optimising nutrient status and gut health, functional medicine offers a path to not only improve skin conditions but also enhance overall well-being. This approach emphasises healing from the inside out, providing a comprehensive strategy for those seeking to repair and rebalance their skin’s health.
Benefits of functional medicine for your health.
Functional medicine stands out for its comprehensive approach to health, focusing on personalised care. This approach offers several benefits:
- Personalised care: Recognises each individual’s unique makeup, lifestyle, and environmental factors, tailoring treatments to the person, not just the disease.
- Holistic approach: Considers the entire body and its systems, emphasising the connection between mind, body, and spirit in health and healing.
- Preventive focus: Aims to prevent disease before it starts by addressing the factors that contribute to chronic health issues, promoting long-term wellness.
- Empowers patients: Engages patients in their health journey, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their health.
- Addresses chronic conditions: Offers effective strategies for managing chronic diseases by targeting their underlying causes, which can lead to more sustainable health outcomes.
With a functional medicine doctor guiding your health journey, you’re partnering with a professional who is committed to exploring the full picture of your health, guiding you towards a more balanced well-being.
Why functional medicine?
Functional medicine is chosen for its ability to provide deeper insights into health conditions and offer more effective, individualised treatment plans. It moves beyond the conventional medical model by:
- Looking at the intricate web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness.
- Integrating traditional Western medical practices with alternative or integrative medicine, drawing from the latest in genetic science, systems biology, and understanding of how environmental and lifestyle factors influence the emergence and progression of disease.
Healthy ageing with functional medicine
Central to this method is the belief that many age-related issues can be alleviated or even prevented by addressing their root causes. Functional medicine aims to reduce the risk of chronic diseases commonly associated with ageing by directly tackling these underlying issues. This may involve a thorough evaluation of one’s dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and environmental exposures that could be impacting health. By implementing targeted changes in these areas, functional medicine aids individuals not just in living longer but also in achieving a higher quality of life in their later years.
Furthermore, functional medicine advocates for a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to health. It promotes the idea of taking active steps towards maintaining and enhancing health to support longevity and vitality, rather than waiting for health problems to manifest. This proactive stance empowers individuals to take charge of their health, making informed decisions that lead to a healthier and better life as they age. Through its comprehensive and forward-thinking strategies, functional medicine offers a robust foundation for anyone looking to age gracefully and healthily.
Functional medicine and women’s health
A functional doctor will offer you a nuanced approach to women’s health, particularly when addressing the intricate balance of adrenal, sex, and thyroid hormones. These hormones are crucial to a woman’s overall wellbeing, and imbalances can lead to a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, acne, rashes, hair loss, irregular periods, brain fog, and weight gain. By adopting an integrated approach, functional medicine provides strategies not just to control symptoms but to restore overall balance and health.
Furthermore, functional medicine plays a pivotal role in demystifying and managing the transitions of perimenopause and menopause. It focuses on maintaining optimal health through these changes, offering support for symptom management, sexual health, skincare, and overall wellness. This approach empowers women to embrace this next phase of life with confidence and readiness, promoting a state of wellness and youthfulness. By addressing the specific health challenges associated with hormonal changes, functional medicine provides a compassionate and comprehensive framework for women to navigate these significant life stages.
Dr. Susana Diaz- A personal approach to aesthetic medicine
As a functional medicine specialist, my philosophy in aesthetic medicine is deeply rooted in the conviction that true beauty emanates from well-nourished skin and a life filled with love. I firmly believe that for those of us who see value in slightly more hydrated and defined lips, a softer profile, or a bit more definition to our natural features, aesthetic medicine can provide that additional boost of confidence we sometimes need. It’s not about altering one’s appearance drastically but enhancing the beauty that’s already present.
In my practice, I adhere to a scientifically sound, ethical, and professional approach. This begins with a comprehensive medical history and a thorough examination of your face. Following this, I create a staged plan that’s fully explained, ensuring you’re well-informed and comfortable with the proposed treatments. Having spent over 30 years as an NHS surgeon in the UK, my commitment to patient safety is unwavering. My journey into aesthetic medicine started more than a decade ago, trained by some of the finest practitioners in the UK, including the renowned Consultant Clinic® and Harley Academy®, and in Spain with the exceptional Dr Carla Barber. My approach combines the precision of surgical training with the artistry required in aesthetic treatments, aiming to bring balance and harmony to your features in the most natural and subtle way.
Whether you’re looking to address specific skin concerns or seeking to enhance your natural beauty subtly, the integration of functional medicine principles in a functional medicine clinic ensures that your overall well-being is always at the forefront of your treatment plan. Together, we can work towards achieving not just the aesthetic goals you desire but also a level of health and wellness that supports a fulfilling life.
