
Functional Medicine
What is functional medicine?

Functional Medicine at Acorus
Functional Medicine is an integrative, science-based approach to health and wellbeing that involves treating the individual using a holistic technique. It uses the best available evidence, combined with laboratory testing, personalized dietary and lifestyle recommendations, and targeted supplementation to help limit the progression of chronic conditions and restore balance in the body.
Acorus uses functional medicine because its holistic and personalized nature is an excellent fit and complement to the therapeutic model of Chinese medicine. This makes it unique in comparison to the conventional Western medicine method of treating individual illnesses by suppressing symptoms.
We have found that many seek us out for pain, but that pain is often the first or most obvious sign of more complex problems affecting the mind as depression and anxiety, the brain as insomnia or poor thinking, and digestion as weight gain, diarrhea, or appetite changes.
Our practice begins the visit by discussing the patient’s story and what they’ve been through. We want to know their experiences and what health and wellbeing mean to them. Next, we perform physical and mental assessments to determine specific testing and treatment needs.
When lifestyle behaviors such as diet and digestion are examined with environmental factors and patient health journeys, a complete physical and mental health profile allows for precise lifestyle modifications that promote long-term wellbeing instead of masking symptoms for short-term relief.