FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
Restoring one’s health and quality of life is the main objective at Turack Chiropractic. Our highly trained staff members comprised of both chiropractic physicians and licensed nutritionists work as one unit to be a leading proponent of integrated functional medicine in Pittsburgh, PA.
Frustrated with traditional medicine’s focus on treating the symptoms of disease – not the underlying cause, our office has sought to be different. Helping people achieve greatness through health is our greatest passion. This is why our care focuses on treating the whole person; not just their symptoms.
What Is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a therapeutic partnership between the patient and practitioner. It’s a collaborative system-oriented approach to addressing the underlying cause of disease rather than a set of symptoms.
Nutritional intervention is at the forefront of functional medicine. Very few people think of food as medicine. We believe a healthy diet with the therapeutic use of probiotics, naturopathics/nutritional supplements, and botanicals can play a big role in a patient’s overall wellness.
Lifestyle intervention is another important component of our patient care. Unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, or alcohol abuse contribute to many otherwise avoidable chronic diseases. Stress reduction techniques like yoga, massage, and outdoor activity – along with eating for health – can do wonders for the mind, body, and spirit.
Why Do We Need Functional Medicine?
Chronic diseases like Diabetes, Asthma, Hypertension, Heart Disease, Cancer, Arthritis, and Osteoporosis are way too common in the U.S. 45% of our population are afflicted with at least one of these conditions. Seven out of every ten deaths in the country can be attributed to a chronic disease. Symptoms can drastically reduce one’s quality of life and even be disabling.
Autoimmune disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Vasculitis, and Grave’s Disease impact the lives of roughly 20% of our population.
Both chronic diseases and autoimmune disorders account for 76% of all physician visits, 81% of all hospital admissions, and 91% of all prescription medications filled. There’s also mounting evidence of a relationship between such conditions and depression and anxiety. This doesn’t even take into account so many people with unresolved and undiagnosed illnesses. Those told what they’re feeling is “in their head” and prescribed anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications to cope.
Chronic systemic inflammation is present in all chronic diseases and autoimmune disorders. Yet, most medical practitioners today focus on managing the symptoms; not addressing this inflammation. They write prescriptions, overemphasize the need for invasive surgical procedures, or rely too heavily on inflammation-producing radiation and chemotherapy therapies.
Why Is Functional Medicine Different?
When you come to Turack Chiropractic for functional medicine in Pittsburgh, our goal is to understand the origins of your symptoms. We aren’t just examining your body. We’re taking note of your genetic makeup, your diet, and your lifestyle. It’s our belief that these markers, as well as factors like exposure to environmental toxins, play a significant role in the increase of chronic disease and autoimmune disorders in modern society.
Unfortunately, most physicians coming out of medical school are primarily taught to prescribe drugs or encourage surgery to immediately treat the problem. Very few are adequately trained to assess the underlying cause or implement nutritional and lifestyle modifications to treat or prevent illnesses.
Is Functional Medicine a Substitute for Conventional Treatments?
We look at it as more of a hybrid approach. While, nutritional and lifestyle modalities can sometimes substitute altogether for prescription medication or surgery as a first-line treatment approach, most often they’re used in conjunction. Perhaps with the goal of reducing the need for medication and other treatments.