Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient centered approach, functional medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their medical histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex chronic disease.
The Functional Medicine Tree:
"Spotlight on Dr. Howard Liebowitz, Functional Health Specialist" (September 2014)