In the intricate ecosystem of human health, Functional Medicine illuminates the interconnectedness of bodily systems and the pivotal role of “Root-Health”. At its core lies a profound metaphor: the Functional Medicine Tree, whose roots symbolise the foundational aspects of well-being. The metaphor of the root implies that if the foundations are not healthy, the outcome will follow suit.
Understanding Root Health
Root-cause resolution medicine is an approach that looks at the whole person and the interconnectedness of the body and mind to understand what's going on and how to treat it. Simply put, we look at the person, not just one part of them in isolation. Furthermore, these roots delve deep into various dimensions of human existence, encompassing not only the physical body but also emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
The Functional Medicine Tree: A Visual Guide
Imagine a tree… it’s roots firmly anchored in the soil, symbolising the core principles of Functional Medicine:
Functional Medicine practitioners look at the seven different processes (refer to the middle section of the above diagram) a body undergoes on a daily basis to answer: Why do you have this problem in the first place? Why has functionality been lost and what can we do to resolve it? This will include reviewing all of your major organs and their state of ‘health’.
The next thing to consider would be family/medical history and genetic allowances/ predispositions — How did your upbringing contribute to the symptoms you are experiencing now? Did you experience any traumas as a child that contribute to your current reactions to stress? Are you lacking in any major biochemical pathway due to your genetic code?
Ultimately, the bottom of the tree represents the tools that you have, the middle of the tree refers to your ability to interact with environmental inputs, with the use of those tools, and the leaves on the top of the tree represent the quality of the outputs based on the tools and environmental inputs.
Cultivating Root Health
Nurturing root health involves tending to each aspect of the Functional Medicine Tree, from the bottom-up, with intention. It requires a 360 degree approach that acknowledges the delicate interplay between lifestyle factors, epigenetics, and environmental influences. Following the relevant data collection mentioned above, your practitioner will be able to work with you to come up with a personalised action plan in order to cultivate healthier habits and address underlying imbalances, thereby laying the groundwork for optimum expression of health and true vitality.