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:
- Add what’s lacking in the body to nudge its physiology back to a state of optimal functioning.
- 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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Thank you for taking the time to read these reviews.
I've never quite felt that before any health practitioner that I can remember
"Just want say thank you for the extraordinary commitment I feel from you to my getting better. I've never quite felt that before any health practitioner that I can remember."
I have had issues with headaches and back pain for many years.
"I have had issues with headaches and back pain for many years. In addition, I have had problems with general pain issues. I had been treated by two other chiropractors, a physical therapist and a medical doctor. I would get a bit better but then improvement stopped. I had heard of Dr. Rosenfeld so I decided to make an appointment. I have to honestly say that I have been feeling much better in a consistent manner. The headaches are now rare and my body just feels better!"
My back is a lot better
"I have suffered back strain on and off since December 2006. Picking up something or my weight caused it and I could not go to work so it was pretty severe. I saw another chiropractor on and off and got some good results but it didn't last. I found Dr. Rosenfeld on the internet and through my husband's insurance. My back is a lot better and now we are working on neck pain and stress in my upper shoulders from work and day to day activities. Massage has helped as well."
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."
I no longer feel frazzled or out of sorts.
"I had neck pain that I had suffered from since a car accident in June of 2005. I suffered with this pain everyday - sometimes mildly and sometimes more severely. Also, my adrenal glands were shot and I was feeling a lot of stress. I had been seeing another chiropractor for about a year with little results. My pain never really went away despite facet blocks, trigger point injections and physical therapy. My mother told me about Dr. Rosenfeld and I made an appointment. My neck is feeling so much better. My flare-ups are few and when they do occur Dr. Rosenfeld resolves them quickly. The DSF supplement has helped me tremendously. I no longer feel frazzled or out of sorts. Thank you!!!"
After seeing Dr. Rosenfeld, I have no pain in my neck and great mobility.
"I first came to the office in 07/07. I came to the office because of pain in my neck and shoulders that I have had on and off for years. I also had very limited mobility. In the past I have been treated by other chiropractors with only temporary relief. We changed insurance plans and after much research I called Dr. Rosenfeld. After seeing Dr. Rosenfeld, I have no pain in my neck and great mobility. There is still some aching in the shoulder, but the mobility is much improved."
Since seeing Dr. Rosenfeld, I have had progressive improvement
"I first came into the office in January 2008. I had a chronic issue with burning tightness in the right hip, extending to the middle back. It began about 10 years ago. I believe it was progressively getting worse but started with having a more sedentary job. It was not debilitating, but was annoying most of the time. I had been to my family doctor, an orthopedist, and another chiropractor. With the other chiropractor I had moderate results. The MDs had little to offer and no idea how to help. I found this office via a web search on the internet. Since seeing Dr. Rosenfeld, I have had progressive improvement, but the supplemental therapies have been both helpful and entertaining."
Dr. Rosenfeld has given me lasting relief from pain
"In 1982 I was catapulted from a motorcycle causing whiplash, neck and low back injuries. Many years of an untreated condition and compression created much pain, discomfort and subluxation. After seeing another chiropractor for 15 years it was time for a change. During those 15 years I had many visits and physical therapy that gave me temporary pain relief and muscle toning and strenuously. Temporary relief. I was referred to Dr. Rosenfeld by Barbara Anderson who is a Rolfing therapist. Dr. Rosenfeld has given me lasting relief from pain and the ability to maintain a longer adjustment much and I have much gratitude and appreciation!"
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."
I love coming into this office.
"I had tremendous pain in my lower back and neck. I could barely walk or even function normally before I came to see Dr. Rosenfeld. I had this condition on and off for years, but never to this degree that caused me to finally seek professional help. I was given Vicodin, Soma and Naproxin by a regular family physician. The medication only temporarily took away my pain. I never had any other treatment other than a physician who prescribed me these medications. One of my husband's friends spoke very highly of Dr. Rosenfeld so I called her. I have gotten great results!!! I am finally recovering from my back/neck injury. Dr. Rosenfeld and her entire staff have been extremely caring and helpful. I love coming into this office."
