The effectiveness of functional medicine lies in the fact that the doctor does not focus on the disease itself but rather on the root cause of the problem, analyzing the entire body. Naya Medic Clinic conducts its treatments according to the standards and best practices of Japanese medicine, which have been adopted after the training of our doctors in Japan.
A functional medicine doctor considers genetic predispositions, environmental factors, lifestyle, and their impact on long-term health when examining a patient. This approach helps identify the root cause of illness and allows for the creation of a personalized treatment plan for each individual.
Functional medicine represents a shift in medical practice, evolving to better meet the healthcare needs of modern society.
Why do we need functional medicine?
Society is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of people suffering from complex chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, mental illnesses, and autoimmune disorders. Traditional clinics primarily focus on acute care, diagnosing and treating trauma or illness. The drawback of this approach is the lack of suitable methodologies and tools for preventing and managing complex chronic conditions.
There is a significant gap between new research in fundamental sciences and its integration into medical practice. Most doctors are not adequately trained to assess the root causes of complex chronic diseases.
What makes functional medicine different?
Functional medicine involves understanding the origins, prevention, and treatment of complex chronic diseases.
Functional medicine considers the unique genetic structure of each patient, along with internal factors (mind and body) and external influences (physical and social environment) that affect overall function. It integrates the best aspects of traditional Western medical practices with elements sometimes classified as "alternative" or "integrative" medicine. This approach emphasizes prevention through nutrition and exercise, utilizes the latest laboratory tests and other diagnostic techniques, and prescribes a combination of medications and/or herbal remedies, supplements, therapeutic diets, detox programs, or stress management techniques.
A doctor applying the principles of functional medicine needs to take multiple factors into account:
The air you breathe, the water you drink, the specific foods you eat, the quality of the food available to you, your level of physical activity, and any toxic exposure or trauma you've experienced all affect your health.
Psychological, spiritual, and social factors can have a profound impact on your health. Taking these areas into account helps a functional medicine doctor view your health in the context of you as a whole person—not just your physical symptoms.
Genetic composition – While individual genes may make you more susceptible to certain diseases, your DNA is not an unchangeable blueprint for your life. New research shows that your genes can be influenced by everything in your environment, as well as your experiences, attitudes, and beliefs. This means it is possible to alter the way genes are activated and expressed.
By assessing these underlying causes and dysfunction triggers, a functional medicine doctor can understand how they affect key biological processes—the processes that sustain life. Some occur at the cellular level, influencing how cells function, repair, and maintain themselves. All of these processes are impacted by environmental factors and genetic composition; when disrupted or unbalanced, they lead to symptoms that, if left untreated, can develop into diseases. Effective interventions help restore balance and prevent illness.
The focus of functional medicine is on patient-centered care, promoting overall health beyond just the absence of disease. It also embraces an integrative, science-based approach to healthcare. Functional medicine doctors look "upstream" to analyze the complex network of interactions in a patient's history, physiology, and lifestyle that may contribute to illness. Each patient's unique genetic structure is taken into account, along with internal factors (mind and body) and external influences (physical and social environment) that affect overall functioning. This approach integrates the best medical practices to provide comprehensive care.
Epigenetic factors
The doctor will take multiple factors into consideration, including:
Environmental conditions
The air you breathe, the water you drink, the specific foods you eat, the quality of the food available to you, your level of physical activity, and any toxic exposure or trauma you've experienced all affect your health.
Mind and Body Elements
Psychological, spiritual, and social factors can have a profound impact on your health. Taking these areas into account helps a functional medicine doctor view your health in the context of you as a whole person—not just your physical symptoms.
Genetic composition
While individual genes may make you more susceptible to certain diseases, your DNA is not an unchangeable blueprint for your life. New research shows that your genes can be influenced by everything in your environment, as well as your experiences, attitudes, and beliefs. This means it is possible to alter the way genes are activated and expressed.
These are the processes in the body that keep you alive
By assessing these underlying causes and dysfunction triggers, a functional medicine doctor can understand how they affect key biological processes—the processes that sustain life. Some occur at the cellular level, influencing how cells function, repair, and maintain themselves. All of these processes are impacted by environmental factors and genetic composition; when disrupted or unbalanced, they lead to symptoms that, if left untreated, can develop into diseases. Effective interventions help restore balance and prevent illness.
