The Functional Medicine Tree Version 1 Stadelmann suggests contacting the In-stitute for Functional Medicine for further resources. Pulmonary Cardiology “They’re a phenomenal resource,” Sta-delmann notes. “They have everything from food diary guides to sample diets Endocrinology Urology to relaxation techniques. They also Organ System Diagnosis have questionnaires that practition-ers can give patients. From a nutri-Gastroenterology Hepatology tional perspective, following some of the leaders in the ancestral food Neurology Immunology movement is a good idea.” In her practice, Coleman uses the five key modifiable personal lifestyle areas to Signs and enhance recovery. Rather than simply dis-Symptoms cuss chiropractic remedies, she talks to her patients about stress, sleep and relaxa-tion, nutrition, exercise and relation-The Fundamental Organizing Systems and Core Clinical Imbalances Assimilation Energy Transport ships. Biotransformation and Elimination Structural Integrity “When you’re working with a patient, Defense and Repair Communication you can create a better treatment plan by keeping those five modifiable life-style areas in mind. If a patient isn’t sleep-Antecedents, Triggers, and Mediators ing, then they’re not producing the hor-Mental, Emotional, Experiences, mone cascade that is necessary for healing. Genetic Predisposition Spiritual Inuences Attitudes, Beliefs So talk about sleep and relaxation. Then have a discussion about eating real food Sleep & Relationships Relaxation again – taking back the kitchen.” Exercise & Stress Coleman says chiropractors who want to Movement Nutrition help patients see strong benefits in a short Personalizing Lifestyle and Environmental Factors span of time should specifically address Functional Medicine Tree stress when talking with patients. Source: The Institute for Functional Medicine “We’ve never before seen a society that some of the advanced functional medicine is so highly stressed,” she says. “The cave-diagnostics. At least here in British Colum-men aren’t coming back to the fire – they’re bia, we can’t always order the blood tests we staying out all night fighting the sabre-tooth want. And even if we can, then it’s coming tigers. Teen stress is at an all-time high. It’s out of the patient’s pocket, which is a diffi-unsustainable.” culty.” Chiropractors are in a prime position to Stadelmann notes that the most signifi-advocate for whole-body wellness. Chiro-cant areas where chiropractors can have an practic medicine’s history as a discipline influence are in changing patient lifestyle focusing on the natural causes of disease factors like diet, exercise and sleep. She and their impact on human physiology adds there are a number of research initi-means that the general ideas and main atives currently investigating the connec-principles of functional medicine are al-tion between nutrition and the mechanisms ready present. That means functional of disease – and that means chiropractors medicine is readily implemented in prac-may benefit from interdisciplinary partner-tice, and chiropractors who employ func-tional medicine practices are seeing strong ships with nutritionists. She points out, “[One way chiropractors results. With a focus on the various causes of can start applying functional medicine is to] start patients on a food diary and look disease and a mindfulness of long-term for things that cause inflammation. En-strategies like modifying lifestyle factors, courage patients to get involved in exercise. chiropractors can help patients to experi-Help patients reduce their stress. We’re in ence long-lasting healing that goes well be-a very good position to offer advice and yond simply treating symptoms and pro-information that patients can implement motes health not as the absence of disease, but as a state of well-being. right away.” Digestion, Absorption, Microbiota/GI, Respiration Immune system, Inammatory processes, Infection and microbiota Energy regulation, Mitochondrial function Toxicity, Detoxication Cardiovascular, Lymphatic systems From the subcellular membranes to the musculoskeletal system Endocrine, Neurotransmitters, Immune messengers, Cognition © 2015 The Institute for Functional Medicine USEFULL RESOURCES Considering factors like nutrition, sleep, and exercise is a great way to start delving into the world of functional medicine and helping patients to see long-term health benefits. Chiropractors who wish to further investigate functional medicine would benefit from the resources available through the Institute for Functional Medicine and similar organizations. functionalmedicine.org/getstarted The Institute for Functional Medicine offers a variety of free courses that can help medical professionals to understand the basics. These brief courses centre around specific aspects of functional medicine and how they can prevent or reverse chronic disease. The institute’s flagship program is a paid five-day course that teaches health-care profes-sionals how to integrate clinical insights and research-proven methodology into disease treatment and prevention. functionalmedicineuniversity.com Functional Medicine University is a continuing education institution that offers certificate programs in functional medicine. FMU is accredited in most American states, and the entire 200-hour curriculum is available as an online distance education course. The curriculum covers topics such as the immune system, oxidative stress, inflammation, nutrition, and the endocrine system. ichnfm.org The International College of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine is an educational institute that offers continuing education and certificate courses in functional medicine. The organiza-tion also manages the International Journal of Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. www.canadianchiropractor.ca 22 Canadian Chiropractor June 2016
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