Physio-Logic Physical Therapy & Integrative Health
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Testing-testing 1-2-3
There are 2 camps of thought when it comes to Functional Medicine testing.
Camp 1: “Test, don’t guess”
Camp 2: First, remove barriers to health and lifestyle factors that trigger and perpetuate illness: Food and environmental triggers, high glycemic load, sleep and circadian rhythm deficit, stress, etc. Heal the gut and restore microbiome balance. Give the body to a chance to correct its course. If health issues linger, then specialized Functional Medicine Tests may provide helpful information.
This is the route I prefer to take for several reasons. First, engaging in lifestyle changes that support healing and removing health barriers is already part of a functional medicine program and allows the body to heal itself. Many people’s problems resolve by simply making these changes, and testing ends up not being needed. Secondly, this route avoids unnecessary expense. Functional Medicine tests are expensive and add an additional out-of-pocket cost.
The Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) recommends that addressing and improving modifiable lifestyle factors (MLF’s) should be the first step in treatment following an in-depth evaluation. Many chronic diseases improve or reverse after this first line of intervention, making Functional Medicine testing unnecessary.
If they are needed, I am able to order specialized Functional Medicine tests through Rupa Health.
My Licensure limitations:
My doctoral degree in physical therapy and my advanced training in functional medicine provide me a unique lens with which to view your medical problems, however I am not a medical doctor. I cannot diagnose disease, order prescription medications, or treat acute illness. My role with you is as an educator, coach, and partner in your health. I strongly encourage you to maintain an active relationship with a primary care physician who is attentive to your needs – preferably one who is ok with your seeking natural healing methods to support your health and, even better, who is open to collaboration.
While I have had extensive, evidence based training in nutrition, nutritional supplementation, and botanical medicine, I am not a nutritionist or a registered dietitian (RD).
There is much we can accomplish together. There are times when the guidance of a licensed nutritionist may be very beneficial to collaborating on your care. If you have Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or are an insulin dependent diabetic – I definitely want you to add an RD to your team.
We all have stress. Our perceptions, thoughts, beliefs, phobias, isolation, and stressors all have major impact on health. I can help you with some, but not all of this. Many of you seeking functional medicine have suffered trauma – big or small. While I am a trauma informed practitioner, I am not a licensed psychotherapist. I strongly encourage you to add a good psychotherapist to your team to help you make important mental shifts and facilitate your healing. If you are seeing me for the chronic pain program, I will insist on it.