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Functional Medicine

Home/Functional Medicine
Functional Medicine2021-07-01T23:19:46-07:00

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is different than traditional medicine as instead of looking at and treating health problems as isolated diseases, the whole person is examined to find the cause of the disease and revealing underlying dysfunctions and imbalances.

Identifying and treating the underlying root causes, has a much better chance to successfully resolve a patient’s health challenge. Using scientific principles, advanced diagnostic testing, and treatments other than drugs or surgery, Functional Medicine restores balance in the body’s primary physiological processes.

Although mainstream medicine is needed for acute interventions like a heart attack, surgery, etc another approach is needed in addition for the chronic, debilitating conditions as diabetes, arthritis, etc.

To battle chronic health conditions, Functional Medicine uses two scientifically grounded principles:

  1. Add what’s lacking in the body to nudge its physiology back to a state of optimal functioning.
  2. Remove anything that impedes the body from moving toward this optimal state of physiology.

Functional medicine aims to understand underlying causes and symptoms of a chronic disease or illness. Qualified practitioners may treat the patient once they determine preventative measures, the origins of the illness and steps necessary to begin proper treatment.

Highlights of functional medicine include:

  • Patient-centered care as topmost priority to treat the patient’s health as a whole, not just the disease or condition itself.
  • Interaction of many inclusive factors such as how lifestyle practices, patient medical history and physiology of the body can determine the best way to treat symptoms.
  • Combining both traditional and alternative practices such as Advanced Laboratory tests to identify the root causes of one’s health problem, prescription drugs or supplements, changes in diet/nutritional intake, exercise and stress management techniques.
  • For treatment, Functional Medicine practitioners use a combination of natural agents (supplements, herbs, nutraceuticals and homeopathics), nutritional and lifestyle changes, spiritual/emotional counseling, and pharmaceuticals, if necessary, to stimulate a patient’s physiology back to an ideal state. Educating one about their condition, will give one a feeling of empowerment to take responsibility of their own health, ultimately leading to greater accomplishment in healing.

As an example, conventional doctors would normally prescribe pharmaceuticals like Prilosec, to treat acid reflux or heartburn. When the patient stops taking these medications, heartburn returns.In contrast, a Functional Medicine practitioner might find that a patient’s acid reflux is caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Eradicating the Helicobacter pylori may lead to the end of heartburnsymptoms, permanently. Also, it is important to note that in Functional Medicine, treatment for similar symptoms might vary tremendously for different patients. Factors that can come into play in producing the same symptoms include toxic chemicals, pathogenic bacteria, parasites, chronic viral pathogens, emotional poisons like anger, greed or envy, and structural factors such as tumors or cysts.

When you consult a Functional Medicine practitioner, the first step is always your history and to make sense of a complex story. The next set of clues comes from a comprehensive physical examination. The final set of clues comes from advanced laboratory testing. Innovative, cutting-edge lab tests help the practitioner look deeply into a patient’s physiology to discover how it has been compromised and how physiological balance can be restored. After diagnosis and treatment, a Functional Medicine patient can expect his or her symptoms to diminish in severity, with a new sense of well-being and substantial boost in health and vitality.

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Overall my results have improved tremendously with spinal decompression therapy

"I have had been having spinal decompression therapy for the last month. I have had excellent results. I was having sciatica and neuropathy; after the first treatment the neuropathy was so much less!   Dr Iris and the office staff are very professional, efficient and caring. Overall my results have improved tremendously with spinal decompression therapy. I would recommend Dr Rosenfeld to all patients with back problems, she listens and will work with you to improve your life."

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"About 3 months ago, started having worsening pain in my thighs and calves when walking. It had gotten so bad that when walking more than a few houses, I had to stop because of the severe pain. Had an MRI and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, severe degenerative disc disease and protruding discs. Since I wanted to avoid surgery, I decided to try Spinal Decompression treatments from Dr. Iris, twice a week for 5 weeks. Now am able to walk a mile or more with NO PAIN, NO NUMBNESS and my NEUROPATHY IS GONE!  My advice..just try the Spinal Decompression Therapy!"

-M.S.

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If you want to get the best chiropractic care available look no further. I must receive impeccable care/service for me to write a review. Dr. Rosenfeld will increase your quality of life and reduce your pain. This is all done in a professional manner and setting. The staff is just as professional as Dr. Rosenfeld which is extremely important to me!  I have been to numerous Chiropractors and very rarely will I return for a second visit. My search took over 6 months to find the right Dr and care. And the office hours should accommodate anyone's schedule. 

Thank you Dr. Rosenfeld. I'm so excited to have found you!"

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I experienced miraculous results after visiting Dr. Rosenfeld.

"My back for no apparent reason was so painful.  I couldn't move.  After two days in bed a friend recommended I see Dr. Rosenfeld.  I could barely drive or sit when I came in.  This had happened several times in the past twenty years.   A medical doctor had given me muscle relaxers only.  They weren't all that helpful but over time and with restricting activities I got better.  I experienced miraculous results after visiting Dr. Rosenfeld.  I am able to do more than before in movement and strength with no pain, my whole outlook each day is more positive and I feel more energized."

- GW

The results were truly outstanding after only a few weeks of treatment.

"I developed lower back pain following very light work in my garden!  The condition had been underlying since a recent flight from New York.  I had previously had a similar episode over 10 years ago.   The back pain was preventing me from carrying out most of my daily living events.  I needed immediate help on a Saturday morning and found Dr. Rosenfeld through a Google search on the internet.  The results were truly outstanding after only a few weeks of treatment.  I was well on the way to recovery assisted by a new "toolbox" of exercises provided by Dr. Rosenfeld.  I am now fulfilling the majority of my daily living events - even cleaning my car.  My goal is now to resume my jogging routine which my back condition has prevented me from doing."

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- Amy

I was really impressed with the advanced equipment and techniques

"In April of 2008 I was struck by another car while driving and felt my neck snap and muscles in my upper body pull and tear. When I woke up the next day I had a migraine and was so stiff I could not walk. Dr. Iris saw me immediately and began working on me. I was really impressed with the advanced equipment and techniques she uses on accident victims. She eliminated my headache in the first visit and got me walking without pain quickly. I would never see or recommend another chiropractor as long as Dr. Iris is still practicing. She is such a wonderful person and talented professional."

- B. Davis

I chose Dr. Rosenfeld to help me continue on the road to good health.

"I had just moved to this area.  I had been seeing another chiropractor on a regular basis to help with knee problems and other aches and pains that cropped up.  After I moved I chose Dr. Rosenfeld to help me continue on the road to good health.  I had also received physical therapy for my knee.  Physical therapy worked well but only focused on my knee.  Chiropractic treats my whole body.  Other areas of my body need adjusting to help keep my knee functioning well.  I found Dr. Rosenfeld through the yellow pages.  I am now in my 5th year of chiropractic care and I wonder how I got along without it in the past.  My knee is doing well and I am continuing to run."

- KB

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"I have suffered with sciatica issues my entire life and worsened when I was pregnant.  The severity was intense.  I saw a general practitioner but had poor results.  I found Dr. Rosenfeld through my insurance company and looked her up on the internet.  I have had excellent results… I have my life back!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart and back!"

- DH
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