Functional medicine is an area of practice that’s often misunderstood. Many people assume it’s an approach that eschews scientific advancements or has more in common with traditional healing practices than modern medicine.
In reality, functional medicine simply focuses on determining and acting on the root cause of illness, rather than simply treating symptoms as they arise.
Terry L. Franklin, MD, built his thriving practice in Monterey, California, on a foundation of functional medicine. He believes that our patients deserve more than an assembly line mode of care that does little more than throw pharmaceutical solutions at an existing set of symptoms.
Functional medicine offers the chance to resolve issues at the most basic level.
With the holiday season here, let’s look at some functional medicine tips that can help you feel and function at peak levels.
If you find yourself feeling drained of energy, easily irritated, or suffering from poor digestion, the source might be something as simple as failing to properly hydrate. Many people move through their daily lives in a state of mild dehydration.
Your body is made primarily of water, and hydration is essential for virtually all of the work your cells complete behind the scenes each day. Failing to take in sufficient water will have a direct effect on how you feel and how easily you move through daily tasks.
The holidays can make matters worse. Days spent shopping, decorating, and preparing for events can make it easy to lose track of the last time you had a glass of water. It’s common to consume more alcohol than normal this time of year, which can worsen dehydration.
This year, make a plan to drink more water or electrolyte-enhanced beverages. Avoid those with lots of added sugar and caffeine.
As you grow older, your body naturally begins to produce fewer hormones. Both men and women can find themselves facing changes like reduced energy, headaches, weight gain, brain fog, and lowered sex drive, all signs of hormonal imbalance.
If this sounds like your experience in recent years, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can do wonders to get you back on track. Dr. Franklin relies on BioTE® bioidentical hormones for HRT, ensuring that you receive a steady stream of supplemental hormones to help restore optimal balance and improve your symptoms.
HRT is a process that takes time. While you may not begin to see the results before the holidays arrive, starting now can set you up for dramatic improvements in the new year.
Your body needs a complex mix of micronutrients to thrive, but achieving the daily recommended intake through food sources alone can be challenging. IV therapy offers a direct path to the ideal blend of nutrients.
The process is fast and painless. Dr. Franklin places a needle into a vein on your hand or wrist, then connects that needle to tubing that runs to a bag of sterile saline and customized micronutrients.
As this solution enters your bloodstream one drip at a time, you not only receive a powerful blend of nutrients, but also an immediate hydration boost. This can be just the right approach to fill in any nutritional gap during the holidays or combat poor sleep or overindulging in adult beverages during holiday gatherings.
If you’d like to learn more about how functional medicine can help you get through this holiday season with ease, we’re happy to sit down with you at our Monterey, California, office to discuss your personal health and wellness goals.
Give us a call during normal business hours to check appointment availability.
